ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH - REPORT - Opacy Ar0809 Eng
Leading youth to advocate combined 2-4-14
-
Upload
preventionnetwork -
Category
Education
-
view
46 -
download
1
Transcript of Leading youth to advocate combined 2-4-14
LEADING YOUTH TO ADVOCACY
The HOW and WHY of working with youth to create community change
For Wedgwood Christian Services of Grand Rapids
Mike Tobias, CPSKen Dail
Prevention Network Michigan
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Today’s goals
1. Define lobbying and advocating2. Exploring why we should involve youth3. Exploring who makes the rules/who to advocate to4. Outlining how to engage youth5. Identifying an issue 6. Creating a game plan7. Using the media throughout the process
Lobbying vs. Lobbying vs. AdvocatingAdvocating
Why Why involve involve youth?youth?
Who are Who are Decision Decision MakersMakers
Engaging Engaging Youth Youth
Issue Issue identification identification & game plan& game plan
Lobbying vs. Lobbying vs. AdvocatingAdvocating
Why Why involve involve youth?youth?
Who are Who are Decision Decision MakersMakers
Engaging Engaging Youth Youth
Issue Issue identification identification & game plan& game plan
Media Advocacy & Relationship Building
But first……A word from our
sponsors
But first……A word from our
sponsors
Environmental Prevention 101
10 Volunteers
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment Norms
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
Access
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
Access How easy is it to get something?
Water in the desert vs. water in this room
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
Access How easy is it to get something?
Water in the desert vs. water in this room
Policy & Enforcement
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
Access How easy is it to get something?
Water in the desert vs. water in this room
Policy & Enforcement What are the rules and what if I break them?
How does policy impact
use rates?
EnvironmentEnvironment NormsWhat are “they” doing?
Bellbottoms vs. Corduroys vs. Boot cut jeans
Access How easy is it to get something?
Water in the dessert vs. water in this room
Policy & Enforcement What are the rues and what if I break them?
What happens when these three are not in sync with one another?
Section 1 Defining lobbying and
advocating
What is Advocating?
Speaking up for something you believe in.
What is Lobbying?
Advocating to someone who is in a position to change a policy or procedure to make it favorable towards something you believe in.
There are two essential questions that need to be addressed:
1.Is it legal for our agency to Lobby?
2.How do we lobby and stay legal?
Is it legal for our agency to lobby?
Yes, it is legal for 501 (c)(3) agencies to lobby. There are no laws at the state or federal level that prohibit 501 (c)(3) agencies from lobbying.
You will need to keep track of your lobbying expenses, because there are limits on the amount you are allowed to spend on lobbying.
There are also limitations set by some funding partners as to whether or not you can use their money to lobby.
What is lobbying?There are 4 entities responsible for defining lobbying in the state of Michigan:
What is lobbying?There are 4 entities responsible for defining lobbying in the state of Michigan: 1.Internal Revenue Service
What is lobbying?There are 4 entities responsible for defining lobbying in the state of Michigan: 1.Internal Revenue Service
2.Michigan Law - Michigan Lobby Registration Act
What is lobbying?There are 4 entities responsible for defining lobbying in the state of Michigan: 1.Internal Revenue Service
2.Michigan Law - Michigan Lobby Registration Act
3.Your Supervisor/Board of Directors/Board of Trustees
What is lobbying?There are 4 entities responsible for defining lobbying in the state of Michigan: 1.Internal Revenue Service
2.Michigan Law - Michigan Lobby Registration Act
3.Your Supervisor/Board of Directors/Board of Trustees
4.Your funding partner(s)
Internal Revenue Service Definition of Lobbying:
Lobbying is an attempt to influence legislation through direct contact with public officials at the local, state, and federal levels or indirectly by appealing to officials through the general public.
Michigan Lobbying Act Definition of Lobbying:
Lobbying is any direct contact with a lobbyable pubic official, whether face to face, by telephone, letter, electronic media or any other means, the purpose of which is to influence the officials legislative or administrative actions. (By this definition, only state-level officials are lobbyable officials.)
Lobbyable Public Officials
• Lobbyable public officials are essentially those persons, defined under statute, who may use personal discretion in deciding whether or not to engage in some type of legislative or administrative action.
Lobbyable Public Officials
• This includes an individual who is elected or appointed and has not yet taken office, or an individual who is nominated for appointment to, any of the offices or agencies enumerated in this subsection
In Michigan there are a lot of people that fall in this category
• Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Secretary of State
• Attorney General
• a classified director, chief deputy director, or deputy director of a state department
• the legislature
• the auditor general, the deputy auditor general
In Michigan there are a lot of people that fall in this category
• an employee of the consumer's council
• the director of the legislative retirement system, or any other employee of the legislature other than an individual employed by the state in a clerical or non-policy-making capacity
• the director of the legislative retirement system
• any other employee of the legislature other than an individual employed by the state in a clerical or non-policy-making capacity
What are some examples of lobbying?
• Writing your State Representative asking them to raise the beer tax(Michigan and IRS)
• Calling the Liquor Control Commission to encourage them to take a position on an administrative action(Michigan)
• Attending a Liquor Control Commission public hearing and asking them to ban a certain brand or category of alcohol beverage(Michigan and IRS)
• Attending a city council meeting to ask to have the curfew changed. (IRS)
What are some examples of advocating?
•Posting on your personal Facebook page that you think the legal drinking age should be 25.
•Asking your boss for a raise.•Asking your parents to change the family curfew.•Recognizing an elected official for their service or for supporting or opposing a law that has already passed.
What are some examples of advocating?
•Contacting ANY elected official and letting them know you or your agency are available as a resource on your topic of expertise.
•Contacting a store manager or owner to discuss their policies and procedures regarding alcohol or tobacco sales.
•Contacting your local or state Chamber of Commerce to discuss state-wide policies and procedures regarding alcohol or tobacco sales.
What are some examples of advocating?
•Sending a letter to the editor regarding a recent event and how alcohol played a role at the event.
•Seeing your State or Federal Representative at a local community event and discussing with them how proposed or passed legislation will impact your community, family, the general public, or your agency. (Whoops…this is really lobbying, but you would be on your own time.)
How do we lobby and stay legal?
There are two ways to chose from to track and potentially report your
lobbying expenses.
How do we measure and report expenses?
• The Insubstantial Part Test –
• The Expenditure Test –
How do we measure and report expenses?
• The Insubstantial Part Test – a public charity’s lobbying activities cannot constitute a substantial part of the organization’s total activities and expenditures. This is the default standard that will be used, unless your organization choose to use:
• The Expenditure Test – This choice clearly defines lobbying and measures an organization’s lobbying activity based only on the amount of money spent for lobbying. There are specific limits to how much can be spent lobbying, depending on the size of your organization’s budget. You must actively choose to use this standard of measurement.
IS IT LOBBYING ? worksheet
Opportunities to educate, advocate, or lobby.
…your ideas here
TAKE A BREAK
Section 2 Why involve youth ?
Why Involve Youth in Policy/Advocacy
Work?• Less agenda driven; more candid and authentic
• Sometimes more credible than adults and people working in the field
• Their passion, enthusiasm, and energy make them great messengers
• Because they want to make a difference in the lives of their peers (i.e. PA125’12 Medical Amnesty)
Why Involve Youth continued…
• Possibly less restrictions on what they can do or say
• Policymakers like pictures of themselves with smiling youth
• Because they know what’s going on!
What’s In It For Them?
• Builds resume - potential references and demonstrates volunteerism
• Social rewards - meet other like minded teens
• Develop leadership, advocacy, and public speaking skills that will last them a lifetime
What’s In It For Them continued…
• Better understanding of how the world works
• Affirmation that a drug free lifestyle is the way to go
• An opportunity to help create their own environment
Ways to Involve Youth• Meeting with policymakers and key leaders in the
community.
• Have them help collect data through surveys and interviews.
• Assist with events - registration, welcoming attendees, presenting information, master/mistress of ceremony
Ways to Involve Youth continued…
• Have them serve on your board, steering, or advisory committees
• Testifying before the school board, city council, Michigan Liquor Control Commission, etc…
Examples Where Youth Made A Difference
• Michigan’s efforts to ban alcohol energy drinks
• Perry youth lobbying the school board regarding their guest policy and about having a freshman soccer team
• Dover Youth to Youth
• PA 125’12 – Medical Amnesty Law
Shortcut to bradjanettestifying.lnk
Section 3 Who makes the rules and who do we advocate to?
Avenues for Advocacy and Lobbying
•Local •State•Federal
These can be formal or informal.
Who are the policymakers?• At the Federal Level?
• President/Vice President
• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representative
• Speaker of the House/Senate Majority Leader
• Committee Chair
State Level
State Level
• Governor Snyder• Lieutenant Governor Calley • Your Representative/Senator• Speaker/Majority Leader• Key committee chairs• Michigan Liquor Control Commissioners
Local Level
• Mayor; City/village council
• City Council and School Board Committee Chairs
• School board; Principal; Superintendent
• County Commissioners and administrators
• Classroom teacher; lunch room monitor
Local level continued…
• Parents; other family members; babysitter; other care givers
• Business owners; Store managers; regional managers
• Prosecutor; Chief of police; Sheriff
Champions, stakeholders, messengers• Regardless of level, assess the policymakers and find the champion(s).
• Identify stakeholders• Supporters• Opposers
• Identify the best messengers
ANYBODY READY FOR LUNCH YET?
Section 4 How do we engage
youth?
Engaging Youth
• Recruit from existing youth groups
• Let them choose the topic (see above)
• EMPOWER them to make a difference
• Prepare them for an adult fight (how do they control the interview)
Engaging Youth continued…
• Give them the information they need
• How do they communicate with each other?• Are they texting, tweeting, emailing?• Using QR codes, facebook, instagram?• Vining, Pinning, Tumbling, YouTubing, etc…?
• Once you get a core group, let them recruit
Existing Youth Groups
• Reach out to your coordinating agency• SADD• STAND• National Honors Society• Student Council• Youth Advisory Councils• Church Youth Groups• The Kent County Youth Summit
Working with Youth 101
Everyone has strengths and a role to play
Working with Youth 101• Advisor Tips- Student Leadership Services
• How Strong Is Your Youth and Adult Partnership? – Student Leadership Services
• Youth Development Model of Prevention – Student Leadership Services
• Youth Engagement 101 - Youth Engagement & Action in Hamilton (YEAH)
Section 5 Identifying an issue
Identifying An Issue
•Be clear with the youth if the issue is Wedgwood’s, the coalition’s, or some other group
OR • If the youth group will be choosing the issue.
Clarifying this up front could avoid problems later.
Identifying An Issue
•Understand that you are in it for the long haul.
Identifying An IssueDo we know what works to address the issue?
• The Community Guide http://www.thecommunityguide.org
• Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity. About $40 used on Amazon.
• WHO’s Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol
• The Institute of Medicine’s Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility
• The US Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking
Identifying An Issue
• What data is available to help us identify a problem?• Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth – MiPHY – Kent County Specific• Youth Risk Behavior Survey – YRBS – National, broken down by state • Monitoring The Future – National Data – OK for comparing local vs. nation• Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center – costs of UD by state• Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids – costs of youth tobacco use• Health Department data• Emergency Room/ Ambulance run data• Treatment data• Law Enforcement data
Identifying An Issue
• Town Hall Meetings• Surveys• Key informant surveys• Brain storming sessions
Identifying An Issue
• Do youth care about it?
• Is there political will to change this?
• Will enforcement be fought in the media?
• Is it enforceable / who will enforce it?
• Can it lend itself to sound bites?
• Can a youth defend this if you are not in the room?
Identifying An Issue
• Can this be described easily to a person outside your group?
• Do we all agree on this issue?
• How much of our reputation/future goodwill/political capital are we willing to sacrifice for this issue?
• Do we have the support of our administration/ board / funding partner?
Identifying An Issue• 1st Step is to understand the difference
between an issue and a problem
• A problem is a broad area of concern.
• An issue is a solution or partial solution to the problem.
• Source: Midwest Academy
Identifying An Issue
• One issue will not solve the problem completely; you will need to target one specific facet of the problem.
• So, how do you choose that issue?
• Source: Midwest Academy
Checklist For Identifying An IssueSource: Midwest Academy
A good issue is one that matches most of these criteria. The issue should:
1. Result in Real Improvement in People’s LivesIf you can see and feel the improvement, then you can be sure that it has actually been won.
2. Give people a sense of their own power.This builds both the confidence to take on larger issues and loyalty to the organization.
3. Alter the Relations of Power.• Building a strong, ongoing organization creates a new center of power that
changes the way the other side makes decisions.
4. Be Worthwhile• Members should feel that they are fighting for something about which they
feel good, and which merits the effort.
5. Be Eventually Winnable• The problem must not be so large or the solution so remote that the
organization is overwhelmed. People must be able to see from the start that there is a good chance of winning, or that there is a good strategy for winning.
6. Be Widely Felt• Many people must feel that this is a real problem and must agree with the
solution. It is not enough that few people feel strongly about it.
7. Be Deeply Felt• People must no only agree, but feel strongly enough to do something about
it.
8.Be Easy to Understand• It is preferable that you don’t have to convince people that the problem
exists, that your solution is good, and that they want to help to solve it. In general, a good issue should not require a lengthy and difficult explanation.
9. Have Clear Advocacy Targets• The target is generally the person who can give you what you want. A more
difficult priority issue usually requires several clear targets.
10. Have a Clear Time Frame that Works for You• A priority issue should have a beginning, middle, and end.
11. Be Non-Divisive• Avoid issues that divide. Don’t pit different constituencies against each other.
12.Build Accountable Leadership
13. Set Your Organization Up for Future Advocacy Work
14. Have a Pocketbook Angle• Issues that get people money or save people money are usually widely and
deeply felt.
15. Be consistent with Your Values and Vision• The issues we choose to work on must reflect our values and our vision for an
improved society.
Source: Midwest Academy
Identifying An Issue
•Check list of Choosing An Issue work sheet
• http://www.geaction.org/chapter2a.pdf
Section 6 Creating a game plan
Creating an Effective Game PlanTaken from Nonprofit Advocacy: A Michigan Primer. Written by Erin Skene, Director of Michigan Public Policy Initiative (MPPI), 2005
1. What do we want? (Goals)
2. Who can give it to us? (Audience)
3. What do they need to hear? (Message)***
Creating a game plan continued…Taken from Nonprofit Advocacy: A Michigan Primer. Written by Erin Skene, Director of Michigan Public Policy Initiative (MPPI), 200
4. Who do they need to hear it from? (Messengers)
5. How can we get them to hear it? (Delivery)***
6. What have we got? (Resources)
Creating a game plan continued…Taken from Nonprofit Advocacy: A Michigan Primer. Written by Erin Skene, Director of Michigan Public Policy Initiative (MPPI), 200
7. What do we need to develop? (Gaps)
8. How do we begin? (First steps)
9. How do we tell if it’s working? (Evaluation)
Preparing the Soil
• Community presentations to raise awareness• Letters to the editor• Meetings with key community leaders• Articles in newsletters• Email blasts• Posts and tweets
Know the Process
• Building relationships• Use science and data to make your case• Anecdotal stories
Section 7 Using the media to
advocate throughout the process
“If you don’t exist in the media, for all practical purposes,
you don’t exist.”
-Daniel Shore National Public Radio
“He who controls the media controls what the public believes to be the truth.”
- Ken DailPrevention Network
How do we create our message
• What data did you use to identify your problem?• How did you decide on what solution to go after?• Who exactly does this problem impact? (Any examples of this
impact?)• How will this solution address the problem you identified?• Why should I care?
How do we engage the media?
• The same way you engage the person you want to ask to the prom.
How do we deliver our message to them?• How do we control the message?• What is a PRESS KIT and do we need one in this age of digital media?• How do we get interviewed?• Do I HAVE TO get interviewed?
Today’s goals
1. Define lobbying and advocating2. Exploring why we should involve youth3. Exploring who makes the rules/who to advocate to4. Outlining how to engage youth5. Identifying an issue 6. Creating a game plan7. Using the media throughout the process
Mike Tobias, CPS - [email protected]
Ken Dail – [email protected]