Building a Sustainable Advocacy Infrastructure
August 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT
Advocacy cannot rely on one staff member or one moment of urgency. Lasting policy influence requires shared ownership, internal clarity, and intentional systems that allow organizations to act with confidence and consistency over time. Without clear roles, decision-making pathways, and processes, even the most compelling advocacy goals can stall when pressure mounts.
This session will guide organizations through the core components of a sustainable advocacy infrastructure, clarifying roles, decision-making processes, and opportunities for engagement. Participants will explore practical frameworks for aligning leadership, staff, and community voices; establishing internal protocols for rapid response; and right-sizing advocacy efforts to match organizational capacity. By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to build an advocacy structure that supports timely action, reduces burnout, and strengthens their organization’s ability to advance long-term policy change.
Takeaways
- Clarify roles between executive leadership, board members, communications staff, and policy leads
- Create internal decision trees for public engagement
- Establish escalation and approval protocols
- Develop criteria for coalition participation
Who Should Attend
- Executive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders
- Advocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach
- Communications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media
- Program Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts
- Members of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online
Blair Abelle-Kiser, PhD
Senior Director of Government Affairs
Social Current
Abigail Levine, MSW
Field Mobilization and Policy Manager
Social Current
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