1 Pre-Convocation Info Session December 6 th, 1 pm ET/ 12 pm CT Call In: 1-866-802-7363, passcode 6145590598# organizecollaborate mobilize connect make.

1

Pre-Convocation Info SessionDecember 6th, 1 pm ET/ 12 pm CT

Call In: 1-866-802-7363, passcode 6145590598#

organize collaborate

mobilize connectmake

change

2

Agenda

• Welcome & Housekeeping• Why Host a Pre-Convo Session?• Discuss the range of activities that comprise

advocacy; offer a working definition of what advocacy is and isn't;

• Describe the YWCA advocacy landscape at the local, state, regional and national levels;

• Present the 7 YWCA USA public policy priorities.

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“advocacy”is the work of making

social change by aiming at changing policies,

systems, and institutions.

Advocacy encompasses strategies aimed at public, private, and community entities

at every level.

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Convocation is seeking to identify GLA’s “Priority Issues”

A priority issue is an idea

• usually a solution to a problem

• has consensus • urgency • is actionable • is measurable

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Social Service vs. Social Change

• Change at individual or interpersonal level

• Works within existing systems

• Rarely addresses root causes

• Intervenes in a problem to help an individual

• Change at the community or institution level

• System change is necessary

• Addresses root causes

• Prevents or solves a problem

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Advocacy is more than changing legislation

It is about connecting system-level solutions with the power to make it happen

1. Identify who has the power, and figure out how to get her attention

2. Match strategy to the target:

– Community organizing – Voter and electoral

initiatives– Using judicial system to win

change– Online organizing– Public media/ education

initiatives– Acting Up: Protests,

marches, vigils, letter campaigns, etc.

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YWCA Advocacy Landscape

• What are other YWCA regions doing?

• GLA progress toward 2-year advocacy outcomes

• YWCA USA

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Advocacy Activities of

YWCA Regions

Outside GLA

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Northwest Region

• Building the advocacy knowledge and capacity at the local association level (through intensive training)

•  Strengthening statewide coalitions of YWCA associations so that they can be a stronger statewide force within their states and at the national level (members of our regional advocacy committee will lead this effort in each state)

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New England

• Goal is to engage each YWCA in the region in advocacy locally, statewide, regionally and nationally with dedicated personnel from each YWCA coordinating the issue(s) at the community level. We are building on the excitement and empowerment the participants had when we visited Washington in May.

• Concentrating on pay equity issues now, and address other issues as they come to the radar screen.  

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Southwest Delta

• Establishing statewide coalitions of YWCAs

• The Southwest/Delta Advocacy Committee and Advocacy Coordinator (when hired) will collect information from YWCAs on what they need to establish a YWCA state coalition in their respective states and provide training and resources based on the needs assessment.  The Advocacy Coordinator will provide support and technical assistance to local associations in the region during the development of the coalitions.

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GLA Advocacy Activities

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2-Year Outcome

GLA region uses advocacy tools, skills, & information to support LAs

15 Year Vision Statement

YWCAs MARSHAL THE STRENGTH OF THEIR COLLECTIVE ENERGY in advocating for policies and programs that eliminate racism and empower women

GLA Logic Model: Advocacy Outcomes

5- Year Outcome

LAs ENGAGE in local & statewide advocacy on priority issues that are mission-driven, strategic, and coordinated.

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Progress Toward 2-Year Outcomes

Outcome Statement:

GLA region uses advocacy tools, skills, and information to support Local YWCA Associations

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GLA Advocacy Activities

• Empowerment Fund Grants to Local and State YWCAs for Advocacy Initiatives

• Advocacy E-Source• Affinity Group for Peer-to-

Peer learning• Strategic Advocacy

Committee

• Appropriations Lobbying in 2008

• December 2007: Regional Issues Convocation

• Website: www.ywca.org/gla/advocacycenter

• Online and In-person training and technical assistance

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Progress Toward 2-Year Outcome

Since June 2005, GLA has provided 23 advocacy skills and issue trainings to more

than 250 individuals from 41 GLA YWCAs

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YWCA USA

• Establishes and promotes national issue priorities

• Acts as a voice for national YWCA body in federal level issue coalitions and campaigns

• National advocacy is carried out by national advocacy staff with input from regional representatives to the national advocacy committee

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7 National Priority Issues

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elimination of racism

• eliminate racial profiling

• increase immigrants’ rights

• result in increased education on racism and ways to eliminate it

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affirmative action

• supports maintaining & strengthening affirmative action laws to protect people from discrimination on the basis of race and gender.

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hate crimes

• supports legislation that protects people from harassment, violence and other crimes on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, or sexual identity.

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violence against women

• protect victims• hold perpetrators

accountable• eradicate sexual

assault, domestic violence, trafficking women, and dating violence

• increase VAWA and VOCA funding

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increasing women’s income

• living wage campaigns

• pay equity• overtime campaigns• social security reform

that benefits women and people of color

• earned income tax credits

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welfare reform

• TANF reauthorization• opposes marriage

promotion/incentives• elimination of TANF

barriers• accessible welfare

systems and supports

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child care & early childhood education

• increased funding for childcare resources

• maintain funding levels for Head Start

• accessible early

childhood programs

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