Principles for Advocacy Groups

A Community Blog

Following up on our conversation last week about the state of disability advocacy, I want to drill down into a crucial, and often painful, question: Why do so many advocacy organizations, even those founded with fire and passion by disabled individuals, stray from their mission and devolve into nothing more than a social club.

The answer isn’t a lack of passion; it’s a lack of professional structure. For an organization to last beyond its first two years, it must establish a proper foundation. First, there must be a clear mission or purpose. Ideas are plentiful, but without a singular, defined goal, energy dissipates into general activities that accomplish little. This is quickly followed by the necessity of a clear Leadership structure. A plan for decision-making must be ironed out within the first six months; without it, the organization becomes directionless.Mission and leadership mean little without accountability. Proven accountability must be figured out from the very beginning.

Stakeholders—from staff to community members—need to know how serious issues will be addressed. Furthermore, advocacy requires resources, so a clear financial structure and plan must be in place before you begin. Make your financial proposal accessible and transparent to all interested parties; professional integrity starts with financial transparency.To avoid simply becoming a complaint factory, we must think outside the box. Advocacy organizations must propose solutions and not just complain about problems. This is where we show our mettle. We must also cultivate an organization of advocates willing to do the work, not just talk about doing the work. The dignity of the advocacy movement demands that the organization also take on the dignity of risk—meaning we are willing to take bold action and accept the professional risks that come with true, game-changing efforts.As an organization matures, it must define its lane. What is your competitive Advantage.

to make your organization different from all the others? Simply advocating for “disabled people” is too broad. You must pull the resources and strength of your membership, recognizing that everyone has a story and a different set of skills. That difference is a strength, not a liability, but it means that not everyone can perform the same tasks.This brings us to mission clarity: If your organization is designed for teaching, then teach. If your organization is for change, then focus on change; you can’t effectively do both without splitting your efforts and diminishing your impact. The advocacy movement is not new, but we are undeniably in a new era, and we need to find new ways to deliver our message.This

This new era demands structure, specialization, and professional accountability.The time for passion alone to drive advocacy is over. We must match the intensity of our commitment with the clarity of our organizational design. Only then can we guarantee that our organizations last, grow, and truly fulfill their vital mission. For my incredible community.

Note

be sharing an additional Community Blog this week to keep our conversations flowing! Until I get my podcast back up and running, you can expect these bonus Community Blogs every Wednesday. Thank you for your understanding and continued engagement!

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