Getting the resources that are needed to end homelessness will require advocacy that can effectively elevate homelessness to a key policy priority. This workshop, for state captains and outcome-oriented advocates, will provide attendees with the skills to impact policy by: - establishing long-term relationships with policymakers; - leading productive meetings with policymakers; - developing powerful messages for a range of key stakeholders.

1. Board Mobilization for Advocacy National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference, July 13, 2010

3. Goals of the Project Expand significantly the number of powerful advocates involved in ending homelessness Leverage the Unique & Powerful position of board members/community leaders Support housing and homeless agencies’ mission and financial health Motivate, build skills, build infrastructure, sustainability

4. Types of advocates Types of Advocates Lobbyists & Paid Practitioners Campaign Contributors Member-driven coalitions Unpaid Individuals, including board members of 501(c)(3) nonprofits

5. Doing the Math:

6. You’re the Policy Maker: Policy Director Is He Credible? Paid Professional Constituent Expert on the Issues Respected You see him in the hallway a lot.

7. You’re the Policy Maker: Is He Credible? Board Member Volunteer Informed on the Issues Constituent Community Leader Owns a coffee shop He helps out at your town hall meetings.

8. Who Will Be more likely to influence you? ????????????????

9. Board Member Perspective #1 Role = financial health of agency Preservation and development of $$ needed to achieve mission Typical focus is private fund raising For many nonprofits, public funds are largest portion of revenues Fears - advocating for public resources is new.

10. BARRIERS Legal fears Other Priorities & Limited Time Executive Directors Partisanship Peers Inadequate Support and Information Looking Dumb

11. Introducing Advocacy to Your Board “Do the Math” – look at your operating budget & resources your clients need to succeed; Cell Phone Advocacy – build confidence, use peers – give them the tools; ED pep talk on advocacy; Connect to the Mission. Make Initial org commitment to Advocacy Give one hour per week.

12. BMfA CURRICULUM

13. Legislator’s Perspective Self-interested Advocacy is most common Board members are knowledgeable, passionate, credible, community-based Executive Directors & staff are alsoa critical component for effective advocacy – for their technical knowledge & experience.

14. ED’s Role in Advocacy Advocacy lead for agency (usually) Supports advocacy activities of Board Members Link to Advocacy Coalitions Provides data and insight on budget and policy issues And does a lot of other stuff

15. How to Mobilize Board Members? Traditional Organizing: One-on-one Editorial Boards Fact Sheets Direct Mail Champion/Hero Programs

16. How to Mobilize Board Members? Cloud Organizing: Online Headquarters Database driven Accessible, Immediate Email, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter Inexpensive (per supporter) Ease of Attraction or Repulsion

17. How to Mobilize Board Members? Cloud Organizing: Online Headquarters Database driven Accessible, Immediate Email, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter Inexpensive (per supporter) Ease of Attraction or Repulsion

18. Federal Advocacy Local Offices, district meetings Email Capitol Meetings Start with Staff

19. Project Resources 13 minute “motivational” video: http://www.501videos.com/clnt/cg/cg3-7bF1.html Senator Patty Murray video (4 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwTC3pKxc Other resources and tools on board advocacy can be found at the project website: www.boardadvocacy.org

20. More Resources “Nonprofit Board Member’s Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy”, Marcia Avner (MN Council of Nonprofits) NAEH: http://www.endhomelessness.org/ NLIHC: http://www.nlihc.org/template/index.cfm Alliance for Justice: http://www.afj.org/ Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest: http://www.clpi.org/ Enterprise Community Partners: http://www.enterprisecommunity.org/public_policy/advocacy/default.asp

21. Comments or Questions? Walter Zisette (206) 461-4500, ext. 111 walterz@commongroundwa.org