Content

• Steps

An advocacy group is made up of people who come together to discuss, research, advertise and / or lobby for a specific issue. Homelessness, disability and environmental problems, as well as child abuse are just a few examples that motivate people to seek solutions through advocacy groups. Such groups can be initiated by one or two members, or entire organizations. Let's consider the necessary steps to form an initiative group.

Steps

1. 1 Determine the reason and reason for creating the group. An advocacy group or self-help group for people with disabilities may meet to provide support for its members and raise public awareness of relevant issues. A homeless group can get together to work out ways to get support and resources through brainstorming techniques. Be specific in identifying your reason and purpose.
2. 2 Find out if similar organizations already exist. Searching the Internet for action teams on specific issues in your geographic location will help you find out the names, contact information, and scope of existing organizations.
   • Contact local organizations to learn more about them. Talk to the administrators of existing initiative groups to see if they are already doing the work you intend to do. Perhaps you decide to join forces or start solving problems that have not yet been covered by their activities.
3. 3 Find organizers to help you. Talk to your friends on the social network, colleagues, community leaders and other people who will be interested in helping you organize the activities of the initiative group.
4. 4 Connect with interest groups, citizens or organizations to find and attract members to your group. If you are interested in improving school lunch nutrition, for example, then reach out to other parents who want to do the same for their children.
5. 5 Decide where the meetings will take place. Contact community centers, libraries, churches, and other organizations that can offer a free meeting place. Remove obstacles to attending meetings by choosing a location that is centrally located, easily accessible, and has ample parking.
6. 6 Choose a convenient time for meetings. Consider the employment schedule of your members. If you are targeting mothers of young children, then you can schedule meetings, for example, while their children are at school.
7. 7 Prepare informative material for distribution at meetings. Provide action team members with written descriptions of your team's vision and goals, along with handouts to further improve their knowledge on relevant issues.
   • Use modern technology to communicate with group members and disseminate information. Create a website for your initiative group and send monthly newsletters to members.
8. 8 Increase your group membership by attending conferences and other events. Speak at events sponsored by like-minded organizations to generate interest in your group. Provide the date and location of your meeting at such events.
9. 9 Explore ways and options for obtaining financial support to cover any costs associated with starting a business.
   • Get close to politicians working on the issues you are solving. Seek funds or legislative support to increase funding for your specific issue.
   • Explore private funding methods and options. Contact private financial institutions to apply for funds or fundraising ideas.
10. 10 Organize a full day event. Expand your reach socially and politically by sponsoring a one-day conference.
    • Ask supporters of the initiative group to spread the word about the event. Prepare handouts for group members to distribute throughout the city and email to all interested parties.
    • Invite speakers and MPs to participate in meetings. Informative and inspiring presentations from speakers who are familiar with your question will motivate others and raise their awareness. Also, contact the offices of local politicians and MPs to invite them or their representatives to your events.