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WHAT IS AN ADVOCATE?
WHAT IS AN ADVOCATE?
An advocate is defined as "a person who publicly supports or recommends a policy or idea." But an advocate is also any person who pushes for their ideas or voice to be heard. It's any person who fights to ensure everyone else has their voice heard too. Advocacy is something we all do - when we tell our friends we want to eat dinner at a certain restaurant, we're advocating. When we tell our teacher why we selected a certain answer on a test, we're advocating. Advocacy is an essential part of life that we must embrace to be successful human beings.
FOR YOU. FOR ME. FOR ALL.
FOR YOU. FOR ME. FOR ALL.
Standing up for what you believe in can be scary, but doing so for yourself or others makes a difference. How do you work on being an advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other people? First, stay organized and understand what you believe. Reflect by asking yourself some important questions. What do I believe should be the outcome of this situation or belief? Who benefits from things staying the same or changing?
YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
Practice advocating for yourself or others by repeating this phrase: "I believe . . . because . . ." Make sure you tell yourself WHY you believe what you do. Is it because you have experience with something? Maybe you know the situation first hand and have an opinion because of that. Be specific and outline key points when advocating for yourself or others.
There are many specific ways to advocate. Sometimes it's through a conversation, but oftentimes it will take place via email or over the phone. We need to be ready for advocacy no matter what.
1 . Believe in what you are saying / writing. Practice speaking so that you sound confident. This lets the audience know you mean business and have invested in yourself. Consider having a trusted friend listen to your points and provide constructive feedback.
2 . Write down your main points. Whether you're conversing about a political stance or telling someone why they should hire you, having a specific list will make you feel more prepared. To start, try writing three specific pieces of evidence to support yourself or your ideas.
3 . Ask questions. Anytime you're talking about your beliefs, it's important to understand who is on the other side. Try asking "Why do you believe what you do? What informs your perspective?"
4. Identify relevant solutions, particularly if you are advocating for change. Do you want to see a classroom policy changed? Maybe the city needs to repave a road? Having a realistic solution means listeners will take your advocacy more seriously. Consider identifying possible outcomes and preparing for questions about feasibility.
The University of Colorado (Boulder) provided much of the basis for our Advocacy Workshop. You can access their materials by clicking here.
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