Promoting Public Policy Activism and Collaboration
Promoting public policy activity on state and federal priority issues is one of the most fundamental pieces of organizing and coalition building. There are many ways that you can raise awareness about public policy and encourage other organizations to make it a priority.
Ensure that other organizations have access to e-mail alerts, either through listservs or, if that is not possible, a coalition member charged with receiving and distributing e-mailed public policy information. A sample alert is included at the end of this chapter.
Be an ambassador. In addition to keeping in contact with organizations via your state communications network, consider scheduling bi-weekly or monthly meetings as a chance to update each other on current projects and programs.
Share resources and ideas. There are many ways to raise public policy awareness and activity, from setting aside a few minutes at a meeting to discuss an issue and action, to visiting members of Congress and attending their town meetings when they are home in the district. Use your experience and the resources available through the Public Policy Department to help make it at easy as possible to incorporate public policy activism into community activities.
