Why Advocacy?

Advocacy is an active step taken to bring about systemic changes in society. Advocacy informs the public and provides an avenue to bring about these changes through lobbying, social events, coalitions, fundraisers and other campaigns. Advocacy allows the small voices of many to be amplified under one banner for a cause that is worthy to be heard. Advocacy should be used to express to constituents how their support will produce outcomes that are lasting and effective.

The Power of Knowledge

Not only is advocacy dependent on a worthy cause; it is essential to have concrete information to support your efforts. Credible data, alongside personal accounts and compelling stories will bolster your legitimacy to your audience. Before launching a campaign, you should have a thorough understanding of the organizations objectives and the problems we are seeking to provide solutions to. Confidence in your information when presenting will bring in more supporters who will feel assured that you know what you are talking about.

Grassroots Activism
We are individuals collaborating under one vision to impact the community for our cause. Grassroots activism is effective because it is focused on building a strong team of people resolved to promote and evoke change. We will build you up as a part of our team and send you out to build teams in your own communities.

Steps to Successful Advocacy with CI

1. ASSESS - GET EDUCATED -Know what the issues are and what aid you are seeking from constituents. Read through the informational documents provided by CI to gain an understanding of the mission and values of the organization. Become acquainted with the political climate and the challenges being faced in the region we are working. Be aware of the steps we are implementing to provide solutions to these problems. 2. ANTICIPATE - SET A GOAL -Be aware of the upcoming needs of the organization. Determine what the goal is for your event or campaign. Who is your target audience? What would appeal to them? Do you have a funding goal or a number of people you would like to inspire to get involved? Setting desired and achievable outcomes will assist you in knowing what information to have prepared. It will also allow you to reassess and conclude what is effective and what is not. 3. INITIATE - BE TRANSPARENT AND CONCISE -Know your pitch for the organization well. People are often passing by quickly and do not have time to listen to long tirades of information. It is advantageous to have a brief talk prepared to captivate your audience and inform them of the essential details of the organization. This is the time you are attempting to stimulate their minds and hearts, drawing them in. You will have resources and links available for more information available. In this initial interaction you want to portray the organization honestly and as a valuable investment. Be able to describe how their participation in our work will have a concrete impact. 4. ENGAGE BE RESULTS ORIENTED -Whether it is achieving a financial goal or establishing positive relationships, follow through. Get email addresses of interested parties and reach out to them afterwards with thanks and the ways for them to receive more information. Get them involved and get them passionate.

Activism Ideas
These are only some of the options in how you can get involved and promote CI. We want you to be free to use your creativity and innovation to develop new and effective ways of reaching the public and drawing in interest to achieve the objectives we have set forth. BE the vision with us. We are committed to excellence and expect it in all of our outreach to the public. If we portray this commitment, we will garner support.

<<Individual Activism>>
INFORMATION STALL We have all seen boring information tables with documents thrown about and shoddy pictures taped to a poster board. This is not the way we want stalls assembled. We want the stalls to be a stark contrast from your high school bake sale. The tables need to stand out and be attractive. Quality in presentation will portray that we are committed to quality in our work. Stalls (tables) are a great way to initiate, inform and engage new people. They can be set up in downtown settings, at parks, on campuses etc. Make sure you have proper permissions or permits!! We recommend having handouts prepared as a takeaway and getting email addresses from interested parties. BANNERS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS We can assist in developing brochures focused towards your target audience. You can also create your own if you have unique ideas for how to draw in more people. Please get any publications that are not from CI approved.

CONTACTING BUSINESSES or ORGANIZATIONS (Please inform CI before doing this) -Be prepared: Write a few bulleted talking points before you pick up the phone -Be brief and to the point: Know who you need to talk to and what you are requesting from them -Follow-up: Thank the person you speak to for their time. Get an email address so you can send an email thanks as well as include the few briefs points you presented on so they can think on it later. Include links to website.

<<Social Activism>>
HOST AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISER There are many types of events that can be put on to raise support. These can range from dinner parties and awareness meetings to sponsored runs and concerts. You can target individual and corporate sponsors for these events SPONSOR A SPEAKER Bringing in a speaker that is established in the subject can be very effective both in cost and in impact. It will give the audience the opportunity to ask questions and feel they are being informed by a legitimate source. This can be arranged during the time of a planned event to bolster reach. COMMUNITY SERVICE Organizing a public service for your community with volunteers fundraising for the event is a great way to be get people to listen. You are earning the right to be heard.

<<Armchair Activism>>
ONLINE PRESENCE The internet is the fastest and easiest way to reach large populations in short amounts of time. You can provide the audience with information without them having to seek it out. There are many ways to advocate in online forums. A few of these: -Blogging -Podcasts -Discussion Boards -Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Keep your information fresh and compelling. The internet is oversaturated with facts and pleas for money. Present arguments and discussions in a new light. Give them something new. WRITING SHORT ESSAYS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR These are written to persuade the readers towards your thinking. These can be published in local newsletters or papers, in magazines or e-zines or on your social media hubs, etc. The goal is to captivate and convict. Guidelines: -Present a strong stance. (No I guess, or I thinks) -Provide a perspective that is fresh and new. Stir the audience to think in a new way on the given issue. -Be clear and concise -Include your recommendations on how the audience can get involved or evoke the changes you propose -Conclude with a few self-descriptive sentences about your expertise and personal experience -These should be a few paragraphs to one page in length

WRITING A POSITION PAPER A concise statement of a position on a topic related to the cause, supported with relevant research. These are often used to inform business or politicians on an issue. They can be used to lobby for legislation changes. Guidelines: -Position clearly stated, including who you are representing. -What is it you are asking for and why? -Provide context and supporting information -Keep it brief, 2-3 pages maximum.