Tips On How To Advocate

How Can I Advocate Politically and or Personally?

Find out about your elected representatives. Do you know who your senators and congressmen are?
Do you know their position on key health care issues or other issues? These are important questions to ask yourself when you think about your role in the political process. Get to know your legislators and their views on the issues.

Register to vote.
It is always important to remember to keep your voter registration current.

Vote in every election. As the recent presidential elections approach, every vote is important. Once you have updated your voter registration, vote in every election. If you are unable to go to the polls on Election Day, request an absentee ballot.

Volunteer your time.One of the best ways to get involved in issues that are important to you is to volunteer your time. Nonprofit agencies, organizations and legislators rely on volunteers. You can work in their offices, assist with projects and show support.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. It is always important to let your views be known. Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper heightens the visibility of issues important to you and can enhance the acceptance of an issue. If you do not want to disclose your name, ask an organization to allow you to write the letter under their identity and with their approval.

Invite your legislator and others to visit your agency or organization. If you have attended any type of lobby day, you have visited your legislator in his or her office. Send an invitation to your legislators, local business groups and other parties of interest to visit your agency so they can see what you do. Legislators take a great interest in their constituents and what affects them. Local agencies can collaborate with like agencies but only if they are aware of them. After the visit send them a photo of their day at your facility.

Offer up your ideas.There are many challenges to HIV/AIDS care delivery and it is important that this information is shared with Congress. Who better to share the information than someone who lives with or is affected by the disease? Don't be afraid to share your ideas and suggestions with your legislators.


Advocate for What You Believe: Build Your Own Strategy

A good advocacy strategy starts with putting some time into planning. Here are some steps to help you define your issue and goal, find out who has the power to make the change you think is needed and what motivates them, as well as some things to consider when you build your strategy. You may want to use get some paper and a pen to make notes as you go.

What’s important to you and why? Before you can come up with a message or make a good argument for your position, you need to be able to identify what issue is most important to you and why you care about that issue. Keep in mind that people are drawn to stories. The more you are able to present the issue in a concise way and to show why the issue matters, the more effective you will be at convincing others that the issue is important.
Here are some questions to help you figure this out:

• What HIV-related or other issue(s) do you feel most strongly about?
• What is it about that issue that you believe must be changed?
• What would be different if this issue was fixed?
• How would things be better?
• Why is this issue important to you?
• Here are some questions to help you figure this out:
• Why do I feel this issue(s) needs attention?
• Why do I feel strongly about it and believe it must be changed?
• Why would things be better if it were changed?
  

Tips to Remember
Be yourself. Whatever size, color, religion, gender, race, or sexual orientation. Don’t make apologies for yourself. Believe in the righteousness of your cause. Believe that fear and stigma helps nobody.
Understand that you’re beautiful. Understand that people who criticize you can’t take that away from you. Understand that a lot of people are hateful and ignorant and they don’t reflect on you, and they shouldn’t affect you. Let go of fear. Don’t let fear keep you from living your life the way you want to. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out. Don’t be afraid to order the respect you deserve. Don’t be afraid to use the words HIV or AIDS. Don’t be silent. Don’t allow yourself to be marginalized. Challenge others to get tested, get the facts, get educated and be safe . Don’t be afraid to be the strong woman and human being you are.