Chapter 11

Each student will select one question to answer. You must include the page number in the book which assisted you with your answer. Each student will comment on two of their peers responses. No two students may answer the same question.

1. Discuss characteristics of legislatures that often require policy advocates to develop relatively ambitious strategies if they wish to be successful.

2. Why should policy advocates usually work with an organized group when seeking legislation, whether an existing advocacy group, interest group, or NASW?

3. When seeking legislation, why do advocates usually need to attain a unified strategy by developing a centralized team, a resource book and a strategy book?

4. What is a policy brief?

5. How does a policy advocate approach legislators in the context of their legislative staff and their heavy work schedules?

6. Why are committee staff critical to the success of an advocacy project—and how do they differ from legislators’ staff?

7. How might a policy advocate lobby specific legislators; discuss the length of visits, preparation for visits, tactics during visits, and expected outcomes.

8. What are policy “blitzes”?

9. What is the protocol for legislative testimony?

10. How does a policy advocate use the mass media, including letters to the editor?

11. Discuss four ways that a policy advocate can work in the legislative process generally, i.e., apart from specific advocacy projects.

12. Discuss the functions or activities of staff who work for candidates for elective office.

13. What are some important differences between policy advocacy in legislative and organizational arenas?

14. Why do the formal attributes of organizations provide both constraints and opportunities for policy advocates?

15. When are organizations most likely to be associated with high conflict?

16. Discuss an array of strategy options in organizations.

17. How does policy advocacy in community settings differ from advocacy in organizational settings?