Strategies to Influence Laws : Legislative Advocacy Flashcards
What is ‘Advocacy’?
The development of strategies and actions to influence decision-making regarding policies and programmes
What is ‘Legislative Advocacy?’
Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence the introduction, enactment, or modification of legislation.
Purpose of Advocacy
To promote or reinforce a change in policy, program, or legislation.
Rather than providing support directly to clients or users of services, advocacy aims at winning support from others,
i.e. creating a supportive environment.
Legislative Advocacy
Working with elected officials (politicians), the legislature, or local parish councils to influence policy
Signing on to petitions or letters to legislators or influencers
Coordinating campaigns to write letters, faxes, e-mails to legislators
Attending Town Hall/ GoJ/Political Meetings (organizing individuals to ask specific questions or keep track of proceedings)
In-person meetings with legislators
Inviting legislators to your agency or community event
Proposing language for legislation
Self-advocacy
Taking action to represent and advance your own interests;
Peer advocacy
taking action to represent the rights and interests of someone other than yourself
Systems advocacy
Taking action to influence social, political, and economic systems to bring about change for groups of people
Legal advocacy
Taking action to use attorneys and the legal or administrative systems to establish or protect legal rights.
Major areas of advocacy work INCLUDE:
Leadership development
Coalition building
Networking
Political Lobbying
Promoting legislative change
Briefing media
Counteracting opposition
Techniques and Tactics of Advocacy
Sensitizing
Mobilizing
Dialoguing
Negotiating
Lobbying
Petitioning
Pressuring
Informing
