PLAN. What actions do I need to take and what materials do I need in order to share my advocacy with them?
Answer:
These five steps will help you drive social change forward:
1. Know your facts. After you’ve identified an issue that you’re passionate about, do your research. Look at both sides of the argument and make sure that you have concrete information. It’s really easy to come across misinformation so be sure to fact check.
2. Listen to the people you want to help. Be an attentive listener and talk to the people who have been personally impacted by the issue for which you’re advocating. Bring their stories to light in a way that other people will become aware and understand the problem.
3. Engage with the community. Besides being informed, you must create traction. And to do so, you need a group of people who support your issue and will help you create a movement. Social media is a huge factor to help you get supporters, so is speaking to influential individuals including your professors, local representatives, and community members.
4. Build relationships. Foster relationships within your community. Get to know your mayor, commissioner and local policymakers. You can help them become aware of a need or problem. Sometimes the only bit of information they’ll ever get about the issue is what you provide.
5. Don’t give up. Remember, it’s going to take some time. You can’t just show up once or twice and expect change. You have to be patient and consistent
