CPJ's Advocacy Toolkit / Table of Contents
Advocacy Toolkit
Getting Started
Developing an Advocacy Strategy
Advocacy How To’s
- Forming Relationships with Policy-Makers
- Calling Your MP
- Meeting With Your MP
- Writing a Letter to Your MP
- Writing a Letter to a Cabinet Minister
- Meeting with civil servants
- Writing a One-Page Brief
- Preparing and Submitting a Petition
- Organizing a Public Meeting
- Organizing a Demonstration
- Working with the Media
- Writing a Press Release
- Using Social Media
- Engaging Younger Generations
Additional Resources
- Advocacy Resources
- Tools for Education
Books
Aaker, J. & Smith, A. (2010). The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social
Media to Drive Social Change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Forsey, E. How Canadian Govern Themselves, Parliament of Canada (PDF) (Available at bit.ly/can-gov)
Longhurst, J. (2006). Making the News: An Essential Guide for Effective Media Relations. Ottawa, ON: Saint Paul University Press.
Milne, G. (2007). Making Policy: A Guide to the Federal Government’s Policy Process. Ottawa, ON.
(Available at www.makingpolicy.com)
Sussman, A. (2007). The Art of the Possible: A Handbook for Political Activism. Toronto, ON:
McLelland & Stewart Ltd.
Websites
Apathy is Boring—a Canadian organization that uses art and technology to educate youth about democracy. They envision a Canada where youth are active decision-makers at all levels of the democratic process. Visit their website at www.apathyisboring.com
Canada Revenue Agency: regulations for charities doing advocacy work. Visit CRA’s webpage on Political Activities at bit.ly/cra-political
Community Toolbox; University of Kansas—“Tools to Change our World” at ctb.ku.edu/en
Craftivism (craft+activism) is a non-traditional way to draw attention to the policy or issue using artwork. For more information, visit www.craftivism.com
Nonprofit Tech for Good—for helpful ideas on how to best use social media for advocacy at www.nptechforgood.com
Parliament of Canada LEGISinfo website—provides information on bills currently undergoing the parliamentary process at www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo.
Political Advocacy Toolkit for Teens; Florida Youth Commission (PDF) retrieved from bit.ly/teen-toolkit.
UNICEF Advocacy Toolkit (PDF) retrieved from bit.ly/unicef-toolkit