Allies & Arenas

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Introduction

This module is all about planning! Now that you have narrowed down what issue you want to work on, and what agency or government is the best place to take action, doing some research on influencers, allies, and the cast of characters is the next step. Who can and should you talk to, who is working on the same or similar issues, and what actions are YOU going to take?

All of this comes down to a single, time-tested word: ORGANIZE!

You don't have to do this alone! DCAL Coordinators can help you make those connections, point you in the right direction, and move with you through the process. Don't hesitate to reach out! If you are participating in the Workshop series, these all are covered in Workshop #2.

Remember that everything you write on the worksheets gets emailed back to you and all your work is your own. We will always ask your permission before we share anything, including whether you want it anonymous!.

History of Your Issue

History is some people's favorite subject, but for advocacy, knowing what happened earlier in relation to your issue is really important. For one thing, you don't want to re-invent the wheel, not if a really good wheel is already in the next town or city. And if there is a history of advocacy on this issue in your area, then knowing a little about what has been tried, why it failed (or succeeded) is good information to bring to the table.

Where do you go to find this kind of stuff out?

• Public minutes or records of meetings

• Talking with other activists or advocates

• Talking with public officials or their aides

• Looking at newspapers, blogs, comment sections, or other forums about the issue

• Ask us! We can work with you to fill out some of this story.

Use this WORKSHEET to get started

Portfolio of Public Officials

So, who are the actors, the players, the people in the room making the decisions right now. If you worked on the History Of Your Issue, above, you might have a good sense of this already. If not,start putting together a contact list with a couple of notes for each person. This list could include people running for office as well as people who just left office. It could also include aides, administrative assistants, or others who work in the agency or office.

Use this WORKSHEET to help organize.

Portfolio of Advocates & Allies

This step is a lot like the last one, but here you are looking for people and organizations that are also working on this issue. One of the greatest strengths of advocacy is working with other advocates. There is power in numbers! This does not always mean you are going to see eye to eye on tactics or methods, but you are all working on moving the needle on your issue. These folks can be helpful in organizing, getting the word out, helping with campaign, providing a shoulder to lean on, and someone to celebrate with as you reach milestones. Places to start to look for allies could include:

• That history you worked on in this module. What names or other clues did you find there?

• Your local United Way or other general social service agency

• Food banks, resource centers, or other local agencies that see a lot of people.

• State agencies or commissions that address your issue

• Friends and neighbors, people from church, or other folks affected by or interested in your issue

Use this WORKSHEET to help you start your list

Organize! An Advocacy Action Plan

You know what your cause is, its history, who or what can effectively change it, and you know who the players are and who to talk to and work with. Putting these all together is the final part of this module, and that is what this step is all about.

Use this WORKSHEET to help you make your plan

The One-on-One

Make sure you are reaching out to fellow advocates that you encounter. One great tool to either start or join a cause is the "One-on-One" meeting. Remember, being an advocate is tiring work! So, when linking up with people in your community, attempt to have a conversation, rather than endlessly asking or telling. This will help you build stronger relationships.

Key components of a One-on-One:

• A clear introduction stating your name and what you want to get out of this conversation.

  • • Example: "Hi, my name is Eliot and I'm a student. I've wanted to get involved for a while now, and when I found out you are helping to organize a Disability Pride event, I was immediately interested. I'd like to get to know you better and talk about how we can help each other moving forward, if that's okay with you."

• Find out why the advocate does what they do. What was their primary motivation to start advocating? What keeps them going?

• Active listening: focus on what the person says and how they say it.

• Dig deep: choose to go in-depth on what topics matter most rather than covering many topics superficially.

• Offer your thoughts, reactions, and your own motives. Don't let this get in the way of listening, but make the connections as you see them.

• A clear conclusion where you can talk about next steps and/or mutual commitments.

  • • Example: "I really appreciate you taking time to talk to me. Before we go, is there anyone else you think I should talk to when it comes to getting involved in Disability Pride events?"

Watch a One-on-one in action!