Advocacy

What is Advocacy? Advocacy is sharing your story and educating elected officials and decision-makers about what’s happening in your community. Any person or organization can be an advocate for the social issues they care about most. When you raise your voice, you can help to shape the ways in which state and federal dollars are being used to make big-picture policy decisions in your area.

Advocacy isn’t lobbying or advertising, and anyone can speak up in support of an issue or cause to help define and direct the desired outcomes.

How You Can Take Action

Let your unique voice be heard! Anyone has the power to reach out to elected officials, and to share their viewpoints and experiences regarding the issues they care about most. If you’re ready to make change in your community, we encourage you to raise your voice and take action on the policies you believe in.

Advocacy Toolkit

Meet Your Leaders

Step 1: Understand It

Research Your Issue
Talk with others in your community who are already taking action on the same issues you’re interested in. Learn about opportunities, obstacles, your community’s history with the matter, and the policy makers who you’ll be addressing with your message.

If you’re passionate about health equity in particular, below are great places to start with information regarding agendas and policies that are focused on Oregon children and families:

Write Leaders

Step 2: Plan It

Decide whether you’ll move forward with an individualized effort, or if your message can be further amplified by joining or mobilizing a larger group. You can find and join existing events that focus on your issue, or create a new event with others in your community. Whether you plan a stand-in, a Day at the Capitol, or a virtual gathering, by planning ahead of time you can boost your efforts and create momentum for your cause.

You can also draft a letter to your local policy-makers. It’s not as challenging as you might think, and anyone can write to their representatives! Here are some tips for what to include:

  • Your name and address
  • The date
  • An introduction to yourself and your personal story
  • The reason you are writing (explain the issue)
  • The outcome you’d like to see
  • Ask for a response if you want one
  • Your signature
Engage with your Community

Step 3: Do It

Take action and share your story. Choose where and how you’ll take the stage to best deliver your message. Here are some ideas:

  • Attend a community or virtual town hall, school board meeting, or another open meeting to voice your support for the causes you believe in.
  • Attend or give testimony to the Oregon Legislator (for a schedule of all Oregon Legislative activities, go to the Oregon Legislative Information System).
  • Contact your elected officials and tell them how you and your community are being affected by programs in Oregon. Follow the links below with contact information for representatives in our area.

U.S. Senators

Representatives for Southern Oregon counties

To find representatives in other counties, follow this link and enter your zip code.