This is the second in a series of articles based on roundtable discussions on issues relevant to community coalitions from CADCA’s National Leadership Forum XVI, held Feb. 14-16, 2006, in Washington, DC. This discussion was facilitated by Cindy Hayford and Doreen Turk-White, members of the CADCA National Coalition Institute’s Leader/Mentors.

Many coalition leaders believe that one of the most important roles a coalition can play is to carry out an advocacy agenda which includes influencing public policy through changing laws and regulations. However, some coalitions are afraid to engage in advocating for change because they fear endangering their nonprofit status or funding. It’s important to remember that advocacy is legal and vital.

One of the key concerns that coalition leaders grapple with is whether their advocacy is actually lobbying. So how do you know? Simply put, advocacy is active support. Lobbying is totally specific – it’s taking a specific position on a specific piece of legislation. Anything other than that is not lobbying.

Nearly 30 people participated in the roundtable discussion on issues of advocacy for coalitions. One participant from Kentucky noted, “Legislators are about their constituencies… When they call you, you’re helping, not lobbying. They really need to see Federal dollars working! By being advocates, we are more effective.”

Another participant from Kentucky added, “What we need to realize is that our legislators/politicians generally don’t have the expertise/time to understand all legislation – they NEED our info, expertise and opinion!”

It’s important to remember that advocacy involves education and recommendations on key issues, but if you suggest a specific action on a proposed legislation, it is considered lobbying. One participant suggested a specific strategy for working with legislators, “Educate them on the issue, give them your concerns on the topic, and then let them connect the dots.”

Coalitions and other nonprofit organizations are allowed to lobby, so long as they are not using federal funds to do so. Additionally, there are rules about the percentage of the overall budget that a 501c3 organization can use for lobbying/advocacy efforts without losing tax-exempt status.

Remember to enlist the assistance of coalition and community members as individuals. You might send an e-mail message to 100 people outlining a situation or piece of legislation and encouraging them to contact legislators with their concern/opinions. Their action will have a great impact and you’ll hardly spend a dime.

Participants offered a few additional strategies for successful advocacy:

• Establish a relationship with your legislators so that they think of you as a resource on particular issues;
• Ask legislators to study an issue through a task force, and be sure your coalition is at the table when it’s time for discussion;
• Produce and distribute legislative kits with information on specific issues such as underage drinking;
• Use the media! Send out press releases, talking points, letters to the editor, etc., that include a call to action. For example, recommend that interested citizens call, e-mail or fax their legislators on a particular topic; and
• Partner with those who have political power and share your interest, for example, enlist members of your local Chamber of Commerce or other business groups with political influence.

Additional information and resources on advocacy and public policy are available on the Public Policy page of CADCA’s Web site. Another helpful resource is CADCA’s Strategizer 31--Guidelines for Advocacy: Changing Policies & Laws to Create Safer Environments for Youth--which clearly delineates the differences between advocacy and lobbying. Access to the Strategizer series is available through CADCA's online store.