Advocacy Cycle in Action National Alliance for Caregiving Second National Conference Caregiver Coalitions March 26, 2008 Why advocacy? To promote and pursue changes in services To obtain changes in policy, regulation or legislation To engage the community to sustain the coalition or adopt norms Coalition and advocacy Comprehensive definition of need Effective messages Diversity of community Multiple points of contact Continuum of caregiver experience Organizational resources Credible source information Coalition readiness Degree of collaboration Potential for a united voice Opportunities for coalition and individual organizations Evaluation of activities and any advocacy to date Mission and vision barometer View of the future Successful advocacy campaign Strategic Series of actions Designed to pursuade Targeted Build alliances Results in change Advocacy cycle Identify issue or problem Research cause and effect Plan goals, objectives, indicators, methods, activities, and timeline Act Monitor and evaluate actions and results Identify issue Sources of information Criteria for selection Process of selection In Action…. Process inclusive all voices heard Selection may prioritize not eliminate Confidence in communication Listen - what you hear may help you select Research Information and resources Confirming the issue Impact assessment In Action… Have information which connects constituency with legislator Stats tell the story…drill down Sources are reliable maybe known to legislator or staff Sets the stage…why is it important to this legislator? Plan Goals – express change desired Objectives – who, what, when, how Activities – specific tasks In Action… Maximize strengths All understand the agenda Plan includes actions before, during and after Timing – what is determining the calendar or the clock? Someone monitors and reports how we are doing Act Focus on goals and objectives Identify who to approach Create the message Develop tactics for message delivery Identify resources and actions In Action…. Answers to all of the journalist’s questions: who, what, when, where, how, why? Focus Rehearse…. Can someone without knowledge get it? Research the person not just the issue style, interests, current agenda Evaluate Indicators to monitor success Tracking and communicating outcomes Collaboration of coalition Informs identification of issues In Action…. What happened in there? What’s your gut tell you? Do what you said you would do. Follow up whether solicited or not Do a favor Adjust and start over Contact Information Brian M. Duke Director Bucks County Area Agency on Aging 30 East Oakland Avenue Doylestown, PA 18901 Telephone: 215-348-0510 ext 1202 Email: bmduke@co.bucks.pa.us