“Business as Usual” Is No Longer An Option. That’s Why Your Organization Needs an Advocacy Plan
The political landscape continues to change at breathtaking speed. The decisions being made at all levels of government will continue to define and influence our lives. Sadly, the current political environment deprives us all of our humanity by tapping into our unconscious bias and stripping away all complexity and nuance. Reducing everything to simple explanations that confirm our most primal instincts and breeds a culture of fear, inviting us to reduce the complex, nuanced intersections of other people’s identities to basic stereotypes, and vilify people we don’t know or who have certain “undesirable” traits or qualities, often those with little to no social power.
Overcoming fear with connection.
Brené Brown says, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Since humans are social beings, we can overcome a culture of fear through connection. To be in connection with another human being strengthens our social bonds because it affords us the opportunity to recognize the beautiful, multifaceted humanity in all of us. We must all honor our shared humanity by recommitting ourselves to living our values and sharing them with the world – whether we’re in the workspace or in our personal lives. The division of work and life doesn’t exist and we cannot pretend our actions in business are isolated from politics.
The moment to act is now: “What do you stand for?”
Politics influence every aspect of our lives, from the 40-hour work week to clean water and the safe, quality products sold at market. That’s why, if you or your organization receives federal funding or is directly impacted by recent actions, it is imperative that you are politically engaged and have an Advocacy Plan.
Unsure where to start? Here are the nuts and bolts of an Advocacy Plan.
An advocacy plan is a clearly articulated rundown of the most important elements of who you are, what you do, and how you can connect with others to advocate for the causes and values that are most important to you, and the efforts you’ll perform to make an impact.
Your advocacy plan should clearly identify:
Your mission and purpose
Your goals
Your objectives to achieve your goals
Your audience(s)
Your allies or partnerships that can be leveraged to build an effective coalition
Your key messages, including a 30-second elevator pitch that succinctly describes your organization and what you seek to achieve through your advocacy efforts
An implementation plan with clear roles, responsibilities and timelines
It can be challenging to figure this out so take the time to sit down and clearly articulate these elements before you find yourself in a crisis. If you don’t have an Advocacy Plan or don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. Our team of experienced coalition builders and advocacy experts would be happy to help share your story and advocate for change.
As a small, minority woman-owned firm, we understand the importance of language and how it can influence behaviors and mobilize coalitions.
New possibilities may be created by simply redefining words in our policies and regulations. Our team has extensive experience working with public and non-profit partners to amplify their voices and needs. We truly listen and try to understand your needs and desires so we know how to best navigate the ever-changing political landscape. We craft politically adept messages and couple them with authentic approaches and equity-centered strategies to reach audiences where they are, resulting in successful outcomes that positively contribute to the broader social landscape.
Most importantly, we will be right by your side every step of the way – because we understand the political is personal. Find out more about how we can work together here.