Starting an Advocacy Group?  Here are a Few Tips

Starting an advocacy group is a difficult task that can be made easier by following certain guidelines:

1. The first step is to define what advocacy means to your group, for what or for whom you will advocate and how you will do it.

2. Developing a critical issues list is very helpful.  This serves as a focus and framework for activities and will permit you to select and develop useful strategies.

3. Assess the strengths and skills of your group members in order to make the best use of their interests and potential.

4. Before starting a project answer the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the project?

• Does the project or strategy meet or address one of our critical issues?

• Is the project or strategy in line with our mission and priorities?

• Do we have the volunteer resources, the time, and the finances necessary to carry this out effectively? Who will carry out the work?

• Who will benefit from this project?

• What short and/or long term impact do we expect this project to have?

• What is the start date and end date?

5. Develop criteria for evaluating the project outcome before you undertake it and evaluate at the end. Example:

• What measures will we use to determine a successful project?

• When do we expect to complete the evaluation process?

• What follow-up do we anticipate and who will be responsible for it?

Good luck with your advocacy group and enjoy the process!