Advocacy Tips
(adapted from Arts North Carolina)

Direct contact from constituent to elected official is
the most effective form of advocacy.

The process:

• Position or belief is made public
• Compelling case for the position is made
• A decision maker considers the case
• The position is adopted
• The decision maker's behavior or belief changes

• Organizations should adopt an advocacy policy
• Define outcome and establish a plan of action

Form a Group:

• Committee of a Board -- keep full Board informed at all meetings
• Groups of artists, teachers, parents, volunteers can form advocacy committees
• Conduct a "political assessment" -- who knows who

Identify People and Issues:

Know who represents you -- for information on your elected state Senators, go to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/members/senmemview.cfm

For information on your elected delegates, go to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/House/members/delmemview1.cfm

• Know major contributors/friends -- put them on your committee
• Talk to candidates before they are elected
• Send an individual contribution or work on campaigns
• Conduct candidate surveys -- get the candidate to "go public" on what they think
• Represent the arts at public forums with prepared questions
• Define and remain updated on other issues that affect the arts beyond public funding (i.e. community appearance, downtown development, educational policy)

Establish intentional and sustaining relationships:

• The best time to establish a relationship with an elected official is before you have a request
• A face-to-face meeting is obviously the most effective form of communication, followed by a personal letter (or fax), with an increasing preference for email. Phone calls are also effective, and the form of communication will often be influenced by the timing of the issue.
• Keep all elected officials on all mailing list, but target specific occasions for personal and specific invitations
• Organize visibility events
• A spouse or family member involved in the arts may be your best contact
• Know the support staff
• Always thank -- find points of understanding and appreciation
• Know their personal "arts" history, their issues and experiences

Create the Message:

• Must be articulate, informative, and brief
• Must address the personal background and issues of the individual
• Use both factual and anecdotal data -- provide the elected official with quality information that will allow him/her to be well prepared to position your request
• Learn to be communicators -- informed, organized, passionate
• Be specific about what you want them to do

Good Practice:

• Set appointments in advance, be punctual and patient
• Use informal opportunities -- introduce yourself
• Be connected in other ways in your community
• Always answer an unanswered question
• If you find your appointment canceled, come prepared to leave materials and a personal note
• Include your home address whenever possible to verify that you are a constituent