Efforts is like a car battery which is used to start the car.Motivation is the fuel which will take you to the destination

Prepared by Ashok Raisinghani ashokraisinghani@rediffmail.com

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is the act of supporting a cause to produce a desired change. We advocate because we feel strongly about a particular issue. One target of advocacy is government policy. You can influence government policy through effective communication with your elected officials, the media and other influential leaders.

General Techniques for Effective Advocacy

Identify yourself Be SpecificMake it Personal Be ConfidentBe Polite Be BriefBe Timely Be Factual

During the advocacy visit:

Thank the X for his/her past support

Always have written materials to leave.

Get your point of view across in the fewest possible words.

Find out the answer after the visit and report back to the X .

Leave on a friendly note even if the meeting did not go as well as you had hoped.

If you have a good rapport with a X, ask for his or her advice or assistance in reaching out to other X

Cont..

Be sure to thank the X for taking the time out of his or her busy schedule to meet with you even if he or she does not support your position

Always leave the door open for another visit.

Immediately after the visit the team should discuss the meeting and develop a written record of the visit and forward it to the X Department.

Send follow-up letter(s) to X(s) thanking them for the visit and re-stating the points you made during the meeting

Cont..• Don’t argue with the X.

• Don’t be late. Be on time and do not prolong the interview beyond the agreed-upon duration.

• Don’t do all the talking. Remember you are there to hear the X’s views as well as to express your own

• Don’t let the X interview you.

• Don’t attempt to extract rash promises.

Cont.. Don’t ask questions that are not

relevant to the items on your agenda. Explain Your Position. Don’t comment on answers, except to

clarify your position where it has been misunderstood.

Ask for a Response

What make an advocate?• Objectivity

• Independence

• Sensitivity & Understanding

• Persistence & Patience

• Knowledge & Judgment

• Assertiveness

• Ethics & Respect for Others

• Trustworthy and honest

• Adhere to a code of confidentiality

Forming an advocacy team

Find the common cause

Troubleshoot conflicting interests within the group

Establish structure

Establish decision-making process

Match group talents with your plan

Make sure everyone is at the table

Writing your plan

• Start with your solution

• Break down the steps to reach your solution

• Organize & Prioritize your activities

• Appreciate to X

The formula is

1+1+1 = Advocacy

THANKSTHANKS