Advocacy 101 Cresha Auck Foley OSOPHE Meeting March 14, 2014 Advocacy 101 Cresha Auck Foley OSOPHE Meeting March 14,

What is health advocacy? Why advocate? What are strategies for success? Overview 2

What is advocacy? 3

Advocacy: the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support. Health advocacy: the act of pleading or arguing in favor of policies or programs that support health. 4

You are an expert. You are a constituent. Policymakers value your opinions. You can shape the process. Why advocate? 5

Three levels of government Federal State Local Legislative and regulatory policy. Where 6

Congress 101 House of Representatives 435 members You have one representative, determined by your congressional district. Representatives serve two year terms. Senate 100 members, two per state You have two senators. Senators serve six year terms. 7

Ohio Legislature 101 House of Representatives 99 members You have one representative. Representatives serve two year terms. Senate 33 members You have two senators. Senators serve four year terms. 8

What do you need? A story Passion for an issue An “elevator speech” Facts to support your points Persistence 9

Practice 10

Campaign Planning What do you want? Who can give it to you? What is the most persuasive messages? 11

Elements of a Plan Research & Data Coalition Building Fundraising Grassroots and Key Contacts Media Advocacy Decision Maker Advocacy 12

Research and Data Collection Environmental Scan Public Polling Data Past Efforts Model Language 13

Coalition Building Strength of bringing various groups together with a single message Strange bedfellows Increases capacity, especially of small groups Magnify grassroots voice Sign On Letters 14

Fundraising Critical Element 15

Grassroots/Grasstops – What? 16

Media advocacy Advertisements Press releases Letters-to-the-editor Op-eds Press events Social media 17

Social Media Planning and Focus 18

You are advocacy! 19

Questions? 20 Cresha Auck Foley