We recently hosted an insightful webinar that focused on the importance of associations having a strategy in place when addressing policy advocacy and campaigns. In case you missed it, we’ve wrapped up some valuable takeaways to help make the advocacy process more efficient and effective when implementing policy change for your organisation.
In a nutshell, advocacy aims to produce policy change. It involves a structured strategy and campaign designed to influence policymakers and achieve specific goals.
Some of the foundations of an advocacy strategy should include:
Creating a strong policy strategy and advocacy campaign is about getting the basics right and not over complicating it. This piece of advice can help set your organisation up for success without making the process stressful and over complicated.
Here are the key things to consider:
Advocacy strategies can be categorised into short-run and long-thread approaches, each with its own characteristics and requirements. Short-run advocacy demands immediate action and high member buy-in. It is often very resource intensive and can amplify gaps in stakeholder relationships and knowledge. Short-run work is also optional, so keep in mind that not all member requests necessitate immediate action.
Long-thread advocacy involves preparing for future issues that may become important down the track. It allows time to build relationships and alliances, ensuring you're not starting from scratch when the issue gains attention. This approach means you are strategically prepared for upcoming policy changes and can respond proactively.
Advocacy can often require working on several campaigns at once and may become challenging as to where you place your time, effort and resources. This is a guide which breaks down the priorities
There’s a mix of different actions that you can start implementing to help with advocacy in your organisation. Advocacy is a long game and success comes from being strategic, having a clear plan, building those vital relationships with stakeholders and having continuous clear communication, especially with your members.
By following these guides, your association can help to effectively influence policy change and achieve their advocacy goals.
Get in touch today to see how we can provide the guidance and knowledge to help empower your association with its advocacy plans and campaigns today.
For over seven years during the 1990s, I was involved with the Total Quality Management Institute, formed by leaders of some of Australia's major corporations.
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