This week's readings prompted me to explore some of the websites for the organizations identified as Forces for Good. In particular, as the book asserts that all are involved in policy advocacy, I was interested in the particular approaches each organization takes. The logic behind why nonprofits should engage in policy work seems to make sense, but the ways in which that works were not really detailed. Again, it seems like a "luck" thing to have an "in" with your representatives and be able to make connections.
After looking at a few of the websites, I was most impressed by the Environmental Defense's "What You Can Do" section. Some of the organizations had little to no information on their policy work and others wanted my e-mail address for soliciatations just so I could complete a survey or sign a petition. However, the Environmental Defense page has specific campaigns they are currently working on related to a variety of environmental issues, thus appealing to people with different interests. Additionally, the page is full of information about the issues. Some other organizations had small fact blocks or statistics, but the Envronmental Defense page provides both short facts and longer explanations of what the issues are and what the organization is lobbying for related to those issues. Very in-tune with our discussions in the beginning of the semester, the website has a mirage of social media links - Facebook, Twitter, blogs, online newsletters, e-cards for friends, etc. and even a "social networking toolkit" which enables you to use your account on social media sites to share information about Environmental Defense.
Related to the reading, what I thought was most helpful in exploring the Environmental Defense website was its obvious strategy behind policy work. A lot of times I have only witnessed the "grassroots" policy lobbying where a group of people seem to just wake up and decide to protest for a week until they get the results they are looking for. However, it was encouraging to see the way that Environmental Defense has clearly committed to policy advocacy, created a plan for doing so, and chosen effective ways to use social media to aid in accomplishing its goals.
You make a valuable connection, Kristen. One important way to think about nonprofit advocacy is to consider the ways in which social media make advocacy a more accessible and, perhaps, less costly endeavor for nonprofit organizations. I wonder to what extent social media make it easier for nonprofit organizations to create more advocacy capacity. One thing it doesn't do is provide access or knowledge. I wonder how important you consider knowledge of government decision makers is to being an effective advocate.
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