internal policies to support local ywca advocacy

Great Lakes Alliance RegionMay 17, 2007

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overview

• What is the need for internal policies specific to advocacy?

• What kinds of issues an advocacy policy might address?

• Sample language and examples

do we need advocacy policies at our ywca?

Adopting specific policies will help you:

• “Look before you leap”

• Clarify roles and process

• Establish a “life cycle” for issue work

• Help to plan for your organization’s future

what issues does our policy need to cover?

Issue Identification and Adoption• How will your organization decide which

issues you will act on?• Who can suggest issues for action?• How often will you update your issue

agenda?• If an issue arises that requires an immediate

response, will the same process apply?

what issues does our policy need to cover?

Issue Promotion/ Advocacy Implementation

• Who will be tasked with carrying out advocacy initiatives?

• Who will monitor the success of your initiatives?

• How will issues that your organization adopts be integrated into your existing activities?

what issues does our policy need to cover?

Expectations regarding lobbying activities

• Will your organization adopt 501h?

• If you do or do not adopt 501h, how will you track advocacy and lobbying activities and expenses?

• Who ensures that only discretionary funds are being used for lobbying activities?

what issues does our policy need to cover?

Policies that address political activities and electioneering

• A clear statement that your organization recognizes the limitations of its role with regard to candidates and elections.

• Statements regarding use of your YWCA’s facilities, ad space, or other goods or services by candidates for elected office.

policy examples