Your life tells a story and there is someone out there who needs to hear it. You may think that your story is not sensational, but it does not have to be sensational, it just has to be sincere. Mark Brown, the Toastmasters International 1995 World Champion of Public Speaking
The I Impor ortance o of T Telling Y Your S Story: REACHIN HING S STATE P E POL OLIC ICY-MAKERS RS THE G GRASSROOTS P PERSPECTIVE Marion Holmberg, Alliance for Citizen Directed Supports
Policy Matters
If we want to create systems that improve peoples lives and advance their rights and freedoms we need to work together!
Advocacy Must Be Anchored by Values Individuals who receive services and supports know their needs best and are in the best position to plan and manage their own services (ASD website) People are experts of their own lives Self-direction and full citizenship are fundamental human rights
To change p policy, tell g good s stori ries a and w work rk to together her w with a h all s stake e holders
Eff ffective ve A Advo voca cacy- How t ow to Tell Y Your S Story This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND IF YOU’RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU’RE ON THE MENU
The Four Advocacy Essentials Why is your issue Who are you? What is your issue? important What do you want the elected official/policymaker to do about it?
A stor ory i y is the l e lived ed e exper erien ience o e of a per erson o or group t that explain lains h how p pol olicy af y affec ects the e lives o of rea eal p peop ople le “We are hard wired to listen to stories” • Stories capture attention--bring people to the table—create collations and collaboration—create policy changes that improve a person’s life—their story gets better. • Sharing a personal story is available to everyone. You don’t need years and years of advocacy experience to tell your story • Stories bring everyone to the table • Stories are about personal connection This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
How do you tell a powerful story? • Have a story that is relatable • Show policy makers the conflict between policy and people’s lives • Have a clear ask! What do you want the policy maker to do and how would that change your story?
In 2015, self- direction (IRIS) in Wisconsin was on the menu. Grass roots sprang into action.
Everything but the kitchen sink Social media Phone calls Stories through surveys Legislative visits One pagers Press releases Rally This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA And if we thought it would be effective, we would have thrown that in too!
It i is All a about t the St Stor ories a and t the “ “Ask.”
One story is good Two stories are better When we work together to share our stories we are unstoppable Build Alliances
Alliances Survival Coalition Save IRIS AARP Wisconsin BPDD Long-term Care Coalition InControl
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC In the end all our efforts
Advocacy Never Ends Reorganize Work with coalitions Influence new system Create a blue print Testify at hearings for new system AND SOMETIMES YOU WIN!
Advocacy Continues Work to improve the system Build relationships Grow more advocates This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Bec ecome a an advocat ate Share your story and help others share their story. When we as stake holders work together to tell our stories, we change policy!
Questions? Marion Holmberg Communications/Member Engagement Coordinator The Alliance for Citizen Directed Supports Thank y ank you! u! marionholmberg@hotmail.com 262-527-4375 https://citizendirectedsupports.org/
Advocacy and Self-Direction I T ’ S A B O U T S U R V I V A L
Lobbying Lobbying – synonyms: Smoke-filled room Back Room deals Corrupt Dirty Part of the problem
Lobbying – Perceptions
Lobbying – Wu-Tang Style
Lobbying - Reality
Lobbying vs. Advocacy Lobbying is a tool in our Advocacy toolbox Advocacy – education on a specific issue or issue topic Lobbying – attempts to influence specific legislation or regulations at the local, state, or Federal level
Without advocacy and lobbying, you are not acting in the best interest of your agency, your consumers, or the program overall
What is your role as an advocate Raise awareness Improve outcomes Inform a constituent base Be an expert Influence the discussion
Creating a Campaign Plan An advocacy campaign without a plan is a waste of time and energy. Remember, lobbying is one tool in the advocacy toolbox, it is NOT the entire toolbox. It's not even our greatest tool.
Midwest Academy Strategy Chart From Organizing for Social Change, Midwest Academy
Other Tools in the Toolbox Lobbying Press/Media Organizing PACs Electoral Work
Tools in the Toolbox Image from re:power
Organizing Your most effective advocates are your consumers and their workers. Always build your list. Stories from those who rely on the program create a narrative. Consumers and workers are more compelling than you.
Organizing – Harsh realities Organizing is hard. You cannot just pay lip service or be perceived as using your consumers and their workers – it has to actually be about them. You will not organize overnight. Build now for what you will need tomorrow. Sustain communication with your grassroots.
Media Earned Media Unearned Media Human interest stories Paid - TV, Radio, Billboards Reports Who are you targeting Support from high profile allies Include an "ask" Op-Eds Build your campaign Letters to the Editor Know your budget – once you start, you can't stop. Be Creative!
Social Media Have a staff person responsible for social media Know how social media fits into your campaign Always be building – consistency is key The best unearned media is now social media Highly specific targeting Affordable on a low budget Builds your network for future organic campaigns BE CAREFUL
Electoral Work 501(c)3 work Partisan work Candidate forums Endorse candidates Strategic/transactional Issue based Candidate questionnaires Embed with campaign Turn out volunteers Education Materials that speak to your Candidates grassroots Your grassroots GOTV GOTV
Lobbying Pulls it all together Use your grassroots You are the experts – they need you. Have paper – one pagers Talk from consumer and worker perspectives. Tell a story, it's sales!
QUESTIONS? B R Y A N O ’ M A L L E Y E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R B R Y A N @ C D P A A N Y S . O R G C O N S U M E R D I R E C T E D P E R S O N A L A S S I S T A N C E A S S O C I A T I O N O F N E W Y O R K S T A T E 5 1 8 - 8 1 3 - 9 5 3 7 W W W . C D P A A N Y S . O R G
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