Advocacy: You Can Make a Difference

When you support or recommend a cause or course of action, you are engaging in advocacy. Advocacy involves attempts to influence people and public perceptions. An advocate works to promote a solution or to defeat an unacceptable proposal. The only requirement to be an advocate is commitment to the issue.

Advocacy can occur around a number of issues, such as condom availability in schools or workplace discrimination. Advocacy can occur at any time, whether it is nationally or locally. You can advocate when you encounter a legislator at a community event or a principal at a school board meeting.

Advocacy takes many forms. You can:

• Lobby policy makers. Don't be overwhelmed by the prospect of a visit to lobby your elected officials, it is simply a meeting for you to tell your elected representative what you think about a certain issue.
• Hold rallies, speak-outs, or protests to illustrate support for your program. This is a great way to raise visibility and awareness to an issue.
• Conduct petition drives. Then hold a press conference and present the petitions to policy makers.
• Hold or participate in community meetings.
• Speak to the press. Press coverage will carry your message to a much larger number of people.
• Give public testimony to support your issue.

Why Should I Advocate?

• It's your right. Your tax dollars pay policy makers' salaries.
• The majority of legislators (national, state, and local) are grateful for your input.
• Your action may result in a change, such as making condoms available in schools.
• Your voice counts - you can make a difference!
  

Also, you can call or write to legislators, city council or school board members, principals, and anyone who can help you make a change in your community. Writing a letter or making a phone call are just two examples of simple ways to express your viewpoint. Here are some helpful hints to get you started:

Tips for writing a letter

Identify yourself. Include your name and address so that the recipient can respond to your letter.

Make it personal. Express your knowledge and experience about the issue. Explain why the issue is important to you and how it will affect you and others in your community. Describe a personal experience that illustrates your viewpoint.

Be brief and to the point. Keep your letter to one page and cover only one issue per letter.

Be specific in what you ask for. Know what you want the recipient to do, whether it is to vote a particular way, sign a petition, and/or answer a question. You want to clearly communicate the expected action or response.

Follow-up. Make a call to confirm that your letter was received. Leave your name and phone number.

Tips for making a phone call

Prepare what to say. Before making your call, prepare some notes. This will help you stay focused and on point.

Identify yourself. Give your name and address.

Identify the issue. Clearly state your position and how you would like the recipient to respond or vote. Ask the recipient for his or her position on the issue. If he or she is supportive of your position, ask for a commitment to vote your way. If he or she is opposed or undecided, thank the recipient for that information. Don't argue.

Follow-up. Send a note thanking the recipient for his or her time and restating your position. Send another note or call to thank the recipient for a supportive response or to ask for an explanation of an opposing response.

The Congressional Switchboard (202) 224-3121 will connect you to either the Senate or House offices. Tell the operator your zip code or the name of the legislator you would like to contact.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit the Advocates for Youth Action Center.