How To Advocate Effectively

Download and/or print The National Advocacy Center’s Advocacy Handbook to find information about:

Organize Locally (Adapted from Latin American Working Group)

- Host a teach-in:  Organize a teach-in at your town hall, place of worship, your organization or another community space where speakers can talk to an audience about your issue of concern.

- Set up information tables at local events, festivals and/or fairs related to your issue.

- Involve your religious community.  For ideas on how to integrate

advocacy into your Church’s ministry go to Lutheran World Relief’s website.

- Hold a call-in or letter writing day in a local community space.  This could be organized prior to an important vote in Congress.  What you’ll need:

·        Phone numbers and addresses of your Members of Congress

·        Talking points to guide the content of your phone message and letters

·        Perhaps a sample letter to guide letter writers

- Hold a rally, vigil or parade by your Member of Congress’s district or state office.

Utilizing Your Local Media

- Learn to pitch your story

- Media Tips from Lutheran World Relief                                       

  Information on:

       ·        Writing a letter to the editor

·        Writing an Op-Ed piece

·        Meeting with the Editorial Board

·        Steps to Successful Media Participation

·        Developing Your Message

- View a guide to writing press releases

- Same letters to the editor: housing, budget, poverty

Working with Religious Leaders

Latin America Working Group's Top 10 Ways To Work With Religious Leaders

Case studies on how organizations integrate advocacy into their work

(from the Alliance for Children and Families)

Family Services Woodfield, Greater Bridgeport, CT

El Centro, Kansas City, Kansas

Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, New York

Lutheran Child and Family Services, Illinois