1. Presented by Hunger Action LA on behalf of new advocates everywhere
Don’t Be Scared of
Big Capitol Buildings
Presented by Hunger Action LA
on behalf of new advocates everywhere
Based on Five Rules of Effective Advocacy By Nancy Amidei, University of Washington Civic Engagement Project

2. Advocacy just means speaking up!!

3. Even if you’re shy you can be an advocate!
End Hunger !
Even if you’re shy you can be an advocate!

4. OR IF YOU’RE NOT SHY, IT JUST TAKES A SHOE!

5. B BUT WAIT A MINUTE, YOU SAY---------------
I can't advocate through my job, how do I organize advocacy efforts?"
You may not be allowed to directly advocate
but may be able to train parents, clients, etc to do sob
Many nonprofits do not realize they can do more advocacy than they believe
Your group can take the 501h election using IRS Form 5768

6. Framing Your Issue in Simple Terms

7. For example: Why are People Hungry?
They Don’t Have Enough
Money to Buy Food
And why is that?
They Have To Pay
Too Much Money
for
Rent
Medicine
Gasoline
Food

8. Why Should Nutrition and Exercise be supported?
Because…..
Because…..
Because…..
Because…..

9. How Policies Are Made
The federal, state, and local governments can write bills and pass them as law
Administrators of programs can make decisions that don’t involve making new laws
All governments have budgets that can prioritize health, human services, and other issues we care about

10. What Level of Government and what Process?
City LA: 15 councilmembers + Mayor
County LA: 5 supervisors
State Senate: 40 Assembly: 80
Bills proposed and passed through committees, legislature and signed/vetoed by Governor. Budget deadline end of June. Adminstrative changes can also be made in programs
Federal House: 435 Senate: 50
Similar to state process but less structured of a calendar

11. Who ya gonna call? Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: www.lavote.net VOTING AND
ELECTIONS
Locate District By Name or Address

12. You should see something like this
District Look Up by Address
House number of residence address. (No Fraction)
Home Number
Do not include street type (ave., st., blvd., etc.)
Street Name
Click here for help and examples.

13. THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!
What group do you represent?
How many people are members, or
how many people do you serve?
What other groups could you unite with to build a strong coalition?

14. THE 30 SECOND VERSION “Hi my name is ___________. I am with ____
and we represent _______.
I live in your district.
I want you to support/oppose
_______________________”.

15. BREAK TIME
LOTERIA

16. A CAMPAIGN: THREE AUDIENCES TO KEEP IN MIND
Elected Officials and Their Staff
Other Voters
The Media

17. Stories Stories bring issue to life
Stories have changed minds when statistics and reason haven’t worked

18. IS IT OKAY?
……to meet with a staff person instead of the real legislator?
…..to not know everything if they ask you a question?
……to leave materials behind?

19. The Advocacy Team
Facilitator
Story Teller
“Ask” Person
Time Keeper
Note Taker

20. Besides Legislative Visits
Press Conference
Panel
Inviting Officials To a Tour
Build Long Term Relationship

21. TOP SECRET ADVOCACY TIPS
REVIEW THEIR RECORDS
KNOW THEIR INTERESTS
FIND A CHAMPION
FIND OUT WHO OWES WHO

22. AMERICAN ADVOCATE COMPETITION!!