Advocate: the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy

The role of an advocate is not necessarily that of a highly paid lobbyist. In fact, the greatest numbers of people who work to educate their communities are advocates at the grassroots level. By actively supporting a cause, idea, or policy, you become an advocate. Being an advocate takes as little or as much time as you are willing to give.

Become an advocate by

• joining an organization or group that speaks to your interest.

• reading, listening, and asking questions. Learn all you can about issues that are of interest to the group. Share information by composing brief summaries or articles that can be distributed, published in newsletters, newspapers, or posted on websites.

• keeping informed about proposed state and federal legislation that is of interest to the group. Send emails or write letters of support.

• knowing your elected officials. Keep their fliers and other mail. Clip their voting records from the local paper or their website. Know the committees on which they serve.

• arranging to visit the office of your representative or senator to express your view. Provide information about concerns in a succinct, easy-to-understand presentation. Create an easy-to-read handout.

• finding out where groups with similar interests reside. If possible, attend their meetings or invite their members to share their views.

• reading newspaper advertisements and articles, blogs, website postings, and other materials. Immediately correct inaccuracies by writing a civil letter for the purpose of educating. Provide press releases or existing printed materials.

• asking a news journalist to write an article about the issues of interest to your group.

• asking for a radio or TV interview about the importance of your group’s issues and how the public can help support them.

• speaking to local civic groups and distributing information. Again, be succinct and make the issues easy to understand. Encourage the support of their members.

• participating in appropriate public fairs. For example, if you are with a healthcare organization, be present at a health fair. Be prepared to distribute materials and answer questions.

• building a website that posts issues of concern, with information about how others can be supportive. Include guidelines on how to write letters and meet with policy makers.

Activist: the use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike in opposition to or in support of a cause.

According to the Sierra Club, “activism brings people together over ideas that matter.” Activists, like advocates, come from the grassroots level, but their volume is louder. They are passionate about their issues; so passionate, in fact, that time is of no consequence. Unlike the advocate, they make personal sacrifices, take risks, and if it is felt necessary, they willingly become a moral hero.

Become an activist by

• organizing a group of people who have similar causes or issues.

• drafting mission and vision statements in two sentences or less. Print them on all materials, use them to unify volunteers, and quote them to people who ask what you hope to accomplish.

• avoiding getting bogged down by bylaws or parliamentary procedure; you have no time for them. Activists are not a typical organization of people.

• understanding the facts. Read, listen, and ask questions.

• establishing and prioritizing 3 to 6 goals that will move toward accomplishing the vision and mission.

• identifying action steps, including strategic timing when appropriate.

• recruiting more volunteers, including students.

• fundraising. Have potluck events, bake sales, yard sales, or other money raisers, if necessary.

• delivering messages and instructions clearly, succinctly, and in easy-to-understand formats.

• refusing to be intimidated or to take “no” for an answer.

• expanding your network by telephone, email, blog, or website.

• getting the attention of the media. Assign an official spokesperson. Draft factual news releases and policy statements.

• developing a letter writing campaign, including letters to the editor of several newspapers.

• calling radio and TV talk shows.

• developing a petition campaign.

• learning how to lobby and to whom, and encouraging others to do the same.

• focusing on goals and not opposition; however, listen carefully to opposition and respond with facts, not emotion. Research thoroughly before responding.

• listening carefully to people within your organization and being accessible to them.

• celebrating victories with all volunteers.

“The real struggle is not with the injustice, but with the temptation to be inactive or complacent about it.” - Activist Mike Kaulbars

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