There are few more rewarding ways to spend your time and energy than advocating for change you believe in — and working within your community is especially fulfilling.
Advocating for change doesn’t have to be complicated. You simply need a cause, and then you need a plan.
Identify the issue
Identify the issue — and its root cause — and pitch to a small group of friends for feedback. Did they understand the issue? Did your argument make sense to them? Their feedback will help you refine what is now your positioning statement.
Reconnaissance
Understand all stakeholders’ points of view. Learn what your councillor thinks. The city hall clerk can tell you under what standing committee your issue falls, who sits on the committee and when it meets, and then explain the process for getting on a meeting agenda. Do your homework. Evidence-based research adds weight to your position; this could be as simple as a compelling story illustrating why your issue needs to be addressed and solved.
Strategy
Your strategy depends on the issue and where you are on the advocacy journey. For example, organizing your own town hall may be too aggressive at first but effective later on. Consider whom to approach first and work toward the decision-makers. Build momentum into plans and keep your strategy flexible to respond quickly to a changing landscape.
Petitions
Hand-signed petitions may be more effective than online ones because they reflect extra effort and engagement.
Emails and letters
Both are effective. Letters do have an advantage: They’re rarer and associated with cost and effort. Keep the format straightforward and limit steps two through six below to two sentences:
- Highlight your position statement at the top of the letter.
- Identify yourself.
- Describe the issue.
- Describe the impact/benefits of solving the issue.
- Create your call to action: What are you asking for?
- Determine next steps: How do you want to proceed?
In-person contact
Presenting in person is highly effective. Be strategic. You want some supporters when addressing council or a company. Other opportunities might demand a much larger show of support.
Social media
Carefully executed social messaging is fast and highly effective. Make sure that your messages are clear and concise and that any information is accurate. Mistakes or misinterpretations on social media can go viral and shut down your advocacy efforts before you accomplish what you set out to.
Visuals
Visuals are effective and anchor messaging instantly. They convey storylines and emotion without being wordy.
Communication
Be clear, brief, simple and positive. Your voice should be personal, firm and polite. Test communications before you use them — honest feedback is invaluable. And remember to customize communication. To councillors, you’re “voters”; to corporate representatives, you’re “consumers.”
Advocacy means taking action to improve a situation in your community. If you’re already involved in advocating for change, you know the rewards. If you’re not, a good time to start is now!
To learn about RTOERO’s advocacy programs and tips for advocating as individuals or groups:
rtoero.ca/how-to-advocate-for-issues-that-matter-to-you
rtoero.ca/how-to-engage-in-democracy-between-municipal-elections
