The Advocacy Capacity Tool For Advocacy Evaluation February
The Advocacy Capacity Tool: For Advocacy Evaluation February 7, 2013 Sue Hoechstetter sue@afj. org American Evaluation Association Coffee Break
Advocacy Capacity Tool (ACT) for organizational assessment Ø Measures skills, knowledge, resources, practices Ø Ø Ø Electronic Free Self Assessment
Capacity & Advocacy Evaluation Advocacy: ØLong term ØExternal Controls ØMany Partners So……… Measure Capacity Built!
Who Uses ACT ØIndividual Organizations ØCoalitions ØFunders ØEvaluators with all of above
ACT Helps Nonprofits & Coalitions: Ø Ø Ø Identify Gaps and Strengthen Plan Advocacy Work Choose Partners Evaluation/Be Accountable Understand Advocacy
ACT Helps Funders: Ø Ø Assess grantees’ growth Help choose new partners Help support grantee capacity-building Educate within foundation
Advocacy Capacity Tool: for organizational assessment Ø Ø Advocacy Goals, Plans, & Strategies Conducting Advocacy Avenues Organizational Operations
I Advocacy Goals, Plans & Strategies • Preparation • Agenda • Plans, Strategies & Adaptability IV Advocacy Avenues • Administrative • Legislative • Ballot Measures, Referenda & Initiatives • Electoral • Litigation II • • • Conducting Advocacy Research & Analysis Field Operation Advocacy Partners & Coalitions • Messaging • Media Relations • Influencing Decision Makers III Organizational Operations to Sustain Advocacy • Organizational Commitment • Funding Advocacy • Decision-Making Structure & Process • Fiscal Management & Sustainability
Advocacy Capacity Tool
Advocacy Capacity Tool
Advocacy Capacity Tool Results ØIndividual results ØCustom aggregation ØAll user aggregation
Advocacy Capacity Tool Results
Advocacy Capacity Tool Results: Stengthening
Advocacy Capacity Tool Results: Aggregating
Sample User: Shawnee Regional Prevention and Recovery Services ØUsed ACT in cooperation with funder ØACT feedback helped… • provide better view of group’s advocacy activities • to create a more comprehensive plan • show the need for training on permissible grassroots advocacy • point out the need for an appropriate strategic plan for advocacy • acknowledge the advocacy already being done
ACT: Keep in Mind Ø Capacity, Not Effectiveness Ø Honesty Helps Ø No Organization Does It All
Follow-up Conference Calls for Completing Advocacy Capacity Tool (ACT) 1. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 @ 2 – 3 pm ET 2. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 2 – 3 pm ET For addition assistance, please write to us at: advocacycapacity@afj. org
Resources ACT www. bolderadvocacy. com/act Assistance with ACT advocacycapacity@afj. org Evaluation http: //bolderadvocacy. org/tools-foreffective-advocacy/evaluating-advocacy
Look ahead for the… Community Organizing Capacity Assessment Tool (COCAT) Available Winter 2013/2014 International Advocacy Capacity Tool Available Soon!
Melinda K. Lewis Capitol to Classroom Blog September 2012 “One of the things that I appreciate most about the new version of the AFJ assessment is that it includes an option for ‘relying on partners, ’ when asking organizations about their abilities in specific areas. ” “There’s a lot to like about AFJ’s, especially this newer version, which has ‘advanced’ options for organizations whose advocacy is a bit more well-developed, and the ability to compare an organization’s assessment against an aggregate. ” “I know that it’s not easy to get Board members and other key stakeholders to sit down and fill out an assessment that takes 30 -45 minutes. But, really, if we can’t get that much buy-in around questions of how to position our organizations for advocacy, how can we get buy-in to take the steps that move us to where we want to be, in terms of advocacy? ”
Comments from ACT Users Ø “This survey showed the concepts that we are lacking—like messaging. Thank you!” Ø “This survey shows us that adaptability is a strategy too, and that we score relatively low here” Ø “The Advocacy Capacity Tool is good for using with boards of directors to identify where the organization is strong and weak. It’s not just about my opinion as executive director, but about best practices. ” Ø Ø “Excellent! Got me thinking in new ways!” “Very important for us to inventory our collected goals and resources. We need this kind of regular selfevaluation to make our service to our clients and the community better and better. ”
WEST COAST Alliance For Justice 1611 Telegraph Avenue Suite 1006 Oakland, CA 94612 510 -444 -6070 EAST COAST Alliance for Justice 11 Dupont Circle, NW 2 nd Floor Washington, DC 20036 202 -822 -6070 advocacy@afj. org Free TA Line: 866. 675. 6229 www. bolderadvocacy. org @bolderadvocacy @AFJBe. Bold www. facebook. com/#!/Bolder. Advocacy
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