What motivated me to start advocating for very young children was my love to watch them grow and learn, also the fact that all children have not been dealt equal shares of education. It is essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro level because you have to begin somewhere.
At the micro level much help is needed the same as at the macro level. In my research I have found that advocacy is building support for an issue among audiences such as the general public, elected officials, the media, and key opinion leaders. Activities such as educating audiences about a topic, sharing illustrative stories, or working on a solution to a problem are considered advocacy. Individual citizens can always contact their elected officials as constituents. I believe this is what helps you to be community leader.
The resources that it takes to be a state leader on early childhood issues is to be informed of early childhood issues, be present and current and get among other state leaders. You’ve got to be able to communicate with legislators and staff through letters, e-mails, phone calls, or personal visits, testify before relevant legislative committees, work with legislature to compel agency administrators to adopt your proposal; this is just to name a few ideas.
To mobilize others, engage them on the topic, state the problem, inform others about potential solutions and then call to action what you want done about the issue. Someone who was interested in taking a leadership role, I would suggest they meet with their elected officials, build media relationships, do your homework on the issues, and have your own testimonials.
Jamie
ReplyDeleteI like the part you mentioned about doing your homework for someone who was interested in becoming an advocate. It is embarrassing to me to see someone get up at a school board meeting or town hall meeting and try to raise awareness about an issue and they don't even know much about what they are talking about. i am embarrassed for them. It is especially important for you to get as much knowledge as you can about an issue before you try to go and speak on it.
I totally agree with you that micro and macro are just as important. I guess it is a matter of opinion of what might be considered micro. Some might say that teaching is micro or parenting is micro. However I see these as being just as important as the policy maker. There people that are working and living life face to face with little ones are the people that have to be taken care of in order for the little ones to be successful. So what is micro and what is macro? Like what you said, every level of advocacy is important.
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that advocacy start from micro-level and grows to macro-level.Becoming a leader takes a passion and ability to connect with people . Without connection , there will not be any relationship with families, providers , and advocates.