Advocacy Guru

The Advocacy Olympics or, How to Medal in the Great American Sport of Democracy!

advocacyguru — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:55:39 +0000

In this edition of the Advocacy Associates Podcast, Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru, ruminates on the potential events in an advocacy olympics, like “Synchronized Legislating” and the “Policy Pentathlon.” More important, she provides insights into the skills necessary to be successful in these essential events.

Make the Darn Ask

advocacyguru — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:33:02 +0000

Effective advocates will always ask their elected officials for something specific. Advocacy Guru Stephanie Vance outlines what “make the ask” means, responds to those who object to “always asking” and outlines several “easy asks” that will benefit the legislator as much or more than it benefits the advocate.

Five Tips for Effective Advocacy

advocacyguru — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:30:08 +0000

Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru of Advocacy Associates, shares five ideas for communicating effectively with elected officials. Listen in to learn the importance of being specific, identifying yourself and, of course, being polite.

Why I LOVE Paying My Taxes

advocacyguru — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:19:41 +0000

Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru, shares five reasons why she loves income tax day. Listen for tips to be a better advocate for the funding programs you care most about as well as how to really take the pressure off the process of filling in your 1040.

New Report on Communicating with Congress

advocacyguru — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:15:43 +0000

In this edition of the Advocacy Associates podcast, the Advocacy Guru offers insight into a new report from Congress and imagines a whole new advocacy world.

Beware the Ides of March

advocacyguru — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:02:47 +0000

March in Washington, DC is absolute madness. Thousands of advocates and not enough time to get your message across. Find out five ways to be part of the solution, not part of the problem in this lively and informative podcast.

New Year, New Advocacy

advocacyguru — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:42:31 +0000

In this podcast from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru at Advocacy Associates, we offer three New Year’s Resolutions for more effective grassroots in 2008. Repeat after me: I resolve to focus your efforts on fewer personalized communications (vs. form e-mails); I resolve to utilize grassroots advocacy techniques effectively during the election cycle; I resolve to learn more about effective advocacy techniques. Listen and feel rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to make the world a better place for your issues!

Learning about Your Legislators

advocacyguru — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:25:03 +0000

Before meeting with, writing or calling an elected official, the effective advocate will know a little something about their audience. In this edition of the Advocacy Associates podcast, we look at key things to understand about your legislators, including their policy interests, the details of the area they represent, their personal interests and their political affiliations. In addition, we’ll consider some useful resources for helping you track down this information.

Why the legislative process is like Thanksgiving Dinner

advocacyguru — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:56:03 +0000

Some people compare the legislative process to making sausage, but to me, it’s more like the subtle negotiations, shifting alliances and downright arguing that accompanies the creation of a Thanksgiving dinner. Listen to this podcast to learn some tips and techniques for getting what you want from Congress — and at the Thanksgiving Day table!

How to “Trick” Your Legislators Into Doing What You Want

advocacyguru — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:49:39 +0000

Seven-year-olds can teach us a great deal about extracting resources from those in authority. Learn their secrets for successful trick or treating — and apply them to your advocacy efforts!

What Can Congress Do (and NOT Do) for You?

advocacyguru — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:19:04 +0000

In this podcast, we start looking at how to identify what you want in terms of policy changes and whether your Congressional office is the best place to start. Listen and you’ll learn what a member of Congress can and cannot do for you as well as some resources to start identifying your specific “ask!”

Dissin’ Congress: A Look at Congressional Approval Ratings

advocacyguru — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:30:36 +0000

In this podcast we look at Congressional DIS-approval ratings and offer some ideas for why the insitution is so much maligned. In addition, we offer up a proposed job description for Congress, with tongue firmly in cheek.

Back to School Advocacy

advocacyguru — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:59:10 +0000

Every September I start to get that hankering for renewal and self-betterment. It has something to do with “Back-to-School,” I’m sure. In this week’s blog, I offer ideas for applying that energy we all seem to feel in Fall to our advocacy efforts. Some of the issues discussed include being creative and finding the right supplies. If you’re looking to “keep the spirit ‘back-to-school’ in your heart throughout the year”, this is the podcast for you.

Harry Potter’s Rules for Advocacy

advocacyguru — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:06:52 +0000

Our inaugural edition of the Advocacy Associates podcast offers some thoughts on Harry Potter and his rules for “Wizarding Your Way to Advocacy Success” from Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru at Advocacy Associates.