ADVOCACY

An act performed with or on behalf of others through direct intervention, empowerment, or representation. Case advocacy refers to actions taken in relation to a particular individual consumer. Cause, social, or systems advocacy refers to actions taken in relation to a common issue affecting a group of persons.		  
close
  PRACTICE

Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of organizational duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.		  
close
  STAKEHOLDER

Any person, group, or organization that has a vested interest in the services provided by the organization. Examples: clients, consumers, personnel, funding organizations, referral organizations, vendors, and governmental bodies.		  
close
  SERVICE

One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.		  
close
  POLICY

A written statement of principles, values, or intent that provides a basis for consistent decision making and guides the actions of staff, management, and board of trustees. A policy is intentionally broad in its language and application. The following is an example of an anti-discrimination policy:

"[Organization Name] shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services."

In contrast, a procedure is a detailed, step-by-step description of a process. It tells the reader how to do something. Generally, policies are implemented through procedures. For example, the above anti-discrimination policy would require a detailed grievance procedure in order to operationalize it within an organization.

The governing body has the fiduciary responsibility for setting organizational policy. Therefore, policies must be approved and periodically reviewed by the organization's governing body. However, the governing body typically delegates (via policy) the responsibility for policy development to management. In owner-operated for-profit companies, the owner can act as the company's governing body, depending on the company's corporate structure.

In a public agency the responsibility for setting and reviewing policies may belong to the agency's management team, elected officials, another governmental agency, or as is often the case, a combination of the above.

  
close
COA
USER:  PASS:  LOG IN         
SEARCH:    GO
 
Print
 
Social Advocacy
  
Private Org Public Agency  

SOC 7: Advocacy Activities and Interventions

 
The organization implements activities that are designed to address the priorities and goals specified in the advocacy plan.
Interpretation: Examples of relevant activities include, but are not limited to: holding a rally, march, or demonstration; circulating a petition; conducting a poll or survey; forming a coalition or task force; hosting or attending a meeting; creating audiovisual materials designed to increase public awareness; educating elected officials; organizing grassroots stakeholders; releasing a public service announcement; writing a letter to the editor; researching and analyzing a policy; testifying at a public hearing; participating in litigation; and lobbying.
Note: Insofar as many of these activities are related to expanding the advocacy base or influencing decision-makers, they also overlap with the practices addressed in SOC 5 and 6.
Note: As noted in SOC 4.06, when implementing advocacy activities the organization should take care to abide by any legal regulations that may apply to those activities. See SOC 4.06 for more information.
QUICK JUMP TO
Top
 
PURPOSE: Social Advocacy works to promote positive change and eliminate social, economic, and environmental injustice in social institutions, systems, legislation, and practices that affect individuals, families, groups, and communities.
 
RELATED FILES