How can you prioritize issues for advocacy and lobbying efforts as a volunteer?

As a volunteer, you may want to contribute to social change by advocating and lobbying for issues that matter to you and your community. However, you may also face challenges such as limited time, resources, and influence. How can you prioritize issues for advocacy and lobbying efforts as a volunteer? Here are some tips to help you make strategic decisions and maximize your impact.

1 Identify your goals

Before you start advocating or lobbying for any issue, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why. What is the problem that you are trying to solve or the opportunity that you are trying to seize? What are the specific outcomes that you hope to see as a result of your actions? How do these goals align with your values, interests, and skills? Having a clear vision of your goals will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.

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Jasmeet Kaur Arora

Experienced Educator & Reflex integration Specialist | Advocating for Children with Special Needs | International BrainGym Instructor/Consultant, Inclusive Learning Environments |Linkedin Top Voice
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One suggestion to enhance this strategy is to conduct thorough research on the issue at hand. Understanding the historical context, current landscape, and potential future developments can provide deeper insights into the most effective advocacy strategies. Additionally, engaging with communities directly affected by the issue can offer invaluable perspectives. Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, have the potential to contribute to significant change.

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Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.

Now semi-retired, writing poetry and volunteering but continuing to present virtual workshops. I have also recently been appointed as a Commissioner on the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.
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1) If you are passionate about your cause it doesn't matter your status, volunteer or paid staff. 2) Be clear about the issues, the facts and what you are advocating for. 3) Seek out allies: there truly is strength in numbers 4) Thank any and all who help you along the way. They will remember you and want to help you again.

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2 Assess the context

Next, you need to understand the context in which you are operating. Who are the stakeholders that are involved or affected by the issue? What are their perspectives, interests, and power dynamics? How does the issue relate to the broader social, political, and economic environment? What are the existing policies, laws, and regulations that govern the issue? What are the opportunities and threats that you may encounter? Assessing the context will help you identify the gaps, challenges, and allies that you need to address or leverage.

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3 Evaluate the feasibility

Another important factor to consider is the feasibility of your advocacy or lobbying efforts. How realistic and attainable are your goals given the current situation? What are the resources and capacities that you have or need to pursue your goals? What are the risks and costs that you may face or incur? How long will it take to achieve your goals or see some results? Evaluating the feasibility will help you balance your ambition with your pragmatism and prioritize the issues that are most viable and urgent.

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4 Consult your community

As a volunteer, you are not working in isolation, but as part of a community that shares your vision and values. Therefore, you should consult your community members and seek their input and feedback on the issues that you want to advocate or lobby for. How do they feel about the issues? What are their needs, expectations, and preferences? How can they contribute to or benefit from your efforts? How can you communicate and collaborate with them effectively? Consulting your community will help you build trust, legitimacy, and support for your actions.

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Nikki Hill

Public Affairs Leader driving social change. 2023 Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100™ Award Winner Canadian Tire Community Impact. Advocate to eradicate period poverty.
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It’s important to consult community but as a volunteer seeking to work on an advocacy issue - it’s also important to scan community to assess who else is working on the issue you are looking to engage on. Understanding who your potential allies - or opponents - are helps you target your focus to be more successful. Issues are usually multi-faceted and benefit from multiple voices working toward the policy change, sometimes in different ways. As a volunteer, narrowing down where you can focus your own role - while amplifying the overall movement around policy change - can build that trust and legitimacy while avoiding duplicating the work of others.

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5 Review and adapt

Finally, you should review and adapt your priorities as you go along. Advocacy and lobbying are dynamic and complex processes that may require you to adjust your strategies and tactics according to the changing circumstances and results. How are you tracking and evaluating your progress and impact? What are the successes and challenges that you have encountered or learned from? What are the new or emerging issues that you need to consider or respond to? Reviewing and adapting your priorities will help you stay relevant, responsive, and resilient as a volunteer.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Community Organizing

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How can you prioritize issues for advocacy and lobbying efforts as a volunteer?

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3

4

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1 Identify your goals

2 Assess the context

3 Evaluate the feasibility

4 Consult your community

5 Review and adapt

6 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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How can you prioritize issues for advocacy and lobbying efforts as a volunteer?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Assess the context

3 Evaluate the feasibility

4 Consult your community

5 Review and adapt

6 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

Rate this article

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