BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Friday, September 28, 2007

In Bellingham, Washington a new leadership development program called Real People, Real Lives, Real Power aims to help families of people with disabilities find ways to turn their frustrations into political action. This year-long leadership program consists of seven meetings. During these meetings, parents and self advocates learn political advocacy skills which will be of great use as they navigate state and federal systems to acquire information on available nursing services, special education programs or other needed services. In addition to learning about the disability movement, participants also learn how to testify before governing bodies and inspire others to join their cause. To learn more about the Real People, Real Lives, Real Power program click here.

Posted by Andrea Wilson

Friday, September 21, 2007

Strategies for Coalitions and Affiliated Organizations

Date: October 3, 2007 (Online)

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Hosted By: Alliance for Justice

RSVP by: October 1, 2007 at 2:00 pm (Eastern Time)

This session examines the different roles of 501(c)(3)s, (4)s, and political organizations and explores the federal tax rules on how these organizations can work together. It explores the legal separations necessary between affiliated organizations, such as funding and fundraising constraints and permissible electoral activities.

Click here for more information.

A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy Web Workshop

Date: October 2, 2007 (Online)

Location: Online web conference

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Hosted By: Alliance for Justice

Contact Info: fai@afj.org, (202) 822-6070, www.afj.org

RSVP By: September 27, 2007 at 2:00 pm

To participate in this workshop, you will need a high speed internet connection and working computer speakers. Sign-in information will be sent to you several days before the workshop.
Click here for more information.

Posted by Andrea Wilson

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

An April 2005 report prepared for the Aspen Institute, by the Center for Nonprofit Strategies, highlights six bold advocacy campaigns that have greatly enhanced the United States' contribution to global poverty reduction and health promotion. Some of the key findings include:

• Legislative success usually results from a combination of good planning, execution and pure luck.

• Building coalitions with broad, bipartisan reach helps advocacy campaigns: gain increased attention and support and often results in more politically feasible policies.

• Although managing ideologically diverse coalitions can be difficult, skilled and passionate leadership coupled with transparent decision making processes can help quell divisive bickering.

• Most organizations within this study followed reactive and flexible agendas which allowed key players to act according to their best hunches.

• Creatively reframing and repositioning issues to create a perceptual shift amongst indecisive or overly skeptical audience members helped all six advocacy campaigns introduce fresh ideas, which eventually led to increased levels of support.

• Knowing how to play the "lobbying game" and understanding the political feasibilities of proposed policies, as well as having access to key decision-makers (or at least having an ally in the decision making circle) greatly affects an organization's ability to achieve success.