Advocating for Your Cause and National Literacy Action Week Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE) 1

The Presenter 2 Alison Cary- Coleman O Event & Membership Coordinator at SCALE O MBA/MHA student at UNC Chapel Hill O Social justice advocate

What is Advocacy? Use the chat box to describe what you think advocacy is. 3

Defining Advocacy O Active push for change regarding a specific cause or position O The strategies devised or actions taken to influence decision-making on a local, state or national level to create change O The verbal or non-verbal support of an idea or policy 4

What are some ways that you advocate for your cause? Type responses in chat box. 5

Ideas for Advocacy 6 Social Media Promotion Collaborate with Other Groups Protest Donate Money and Fundraising Blogging Write to state rep

Advocating for Your Cause Strategic PlanningImplementation of MethodsRally SupportPromote Your Efforts 7

Strategic Planning What are the key questions our organization should ask itself before executing advocacy projects? (Type answers in chat box) 8

Strategic Planning What are the key questions our organization should ask itself before executing advocacy projects? 9 O What is the main goal we want to accomplish? O What is the root cause of our problem? O How can we assess our ability to impact the problem? O Who are the stakeholders involved? O Do any other groups currently work on this issue?

Strategic Road Map 10

Implementation of Methods 11 Poll Question #1: You represent a non- profit organization defending death-row inmates. Your goal is to bring awareness to your cause. Which of these methods is most effective in reaching your goal? A: Petition the governor to delay punishment B: Sell pizza on campus to raise funds for your group C: Start a social media campaign highlighting inmates wrongly convicted and executed

12 Poll Question #2: You represent a breast cancer support organization that funds grants to research groups searching for a cure. You need to reach a $20,000 benchmark to fund the next research project. Which of these methods is most effective in reaching your goal? A: Write a press release about your organization B: Host a 5K to raise funds C: Invite a breast cancer survivor to campus to give a presentation to students on detection methods Implementation of Methods

Awareness: - Social Media Campaigns - Press Releases - News/Radio Shows - Magazine Article Submissions Fundraising: - Sell a product - Host an event with entry fee or participation fee - Grantwriting - Request Donations Policy Change: - Write to a state/local representative - Protest - Policy Reform Research & Proposals Culture Change: - Inter-group teaching opportunities - Educational speakers - Social events 13

Case Study: UNC Dance Marathon - Fundraiser for patients and families at NC Children’s Hospital - - Relies on student participation - - Need to generate awareness to recruit volunteers 14

Rally Support 15 O How can we attract volunteers/supporters through our advocacy projects? O Where can we partner with other organizations to achieve our goals? O What resources exist to help build support? O Example website: e- action/volunteers/ideas/

Promote Your Efforts 16 O Let the community know what you’ve accomplished! O Further promote participation and awareness O Create resources for the public to learn more about your cause (i.e. website)

National Literacy Action Week (NLAW) 17 January 28 – February 3, 2013

What is NLAW? 18 O Started in the spirit of 1960 Greensboro sit ins O SCALE cross- promotes and supports student social justice projects

Past NLAW Projects Poster Project - Kids reflect on why literacy is important -Created posters celebrating reading - Hung posters around school Financial Game of Life - Participated in booths to earn fake money - Had to assess risk at each station (like board game) Health Literacy Booth at Library - Engage library patrons in health literacy - Provided information on how to locate medical information 19

How To Get Involved O SIMPLY PLAN PROJECT and LET US KNOW! O Access to SCALE resources and support O Eligible to apply for mini-grants to support your project O Receive national publicity and attention for your efforts O Get invited to attend the NLAW Virtual Conference on Saturday, 2 nd February SCALE: or 20

Questions? Alison Cary-Coleman – 21