What is Advocacy?

Advocacy represents the strategies devised, actions taken and solutions proposed to influence decision-making at the local & state level to create positive change for people and their environment.

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  What is Lobbying?

"Conducting activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation; to promote or secure the passage of legislation by influencing public officials; to attempt to influence or sway a public official toward a desired action."
- Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary

Note: If there is not an existing or proposed legislative bill - any contact or information individuals provide to elected officials is educational.

 Additional Resources & Tools

Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth (PDF - 104KB)

This guide is provided by the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America and is intended to be a guide for allowable lobbying activities for non-profit organizations.

Advocacy Basics (from the Tobacco Control Resource Center for Wisconsin)

Provides basic information about advocacy and links to additional resources for individuals and coalition members.

Principals of Advocacy (from The Community Toolbox, created by the Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas)

These pages contain information on the principles of advocacy, including how to get started, survival skills, finding allies and identifying opponents, and developing a plan.

Advocate for Change Toolkit (from The Community Toolbox)

Developing an advocacy campaign requires clarity about the goals, strategies, resources, and potential allies and opponents. These pages help to support the work of planning an effective advocacy campaign.

Influence Policy Development Toolkit (from The Community Toolbox)

Sometimes the best way to address a problem or issue is to develop and implement a new or better policy. This toolkit takes a look at how to influence policy.

Preparing for a Legislative Briefing... 7 Easy Steps (PDF - 244KB)

This page presents a seven step process from Smokefree Wisconsin to use as you prepare to meet with your elected officials.