As you have learned, public policy is shaped by many factors and therefore evolves over time. For this assignment, you will focus on a specific advocacy organization and identify a policy or law that connects to the chosen organization.
Focus on a specific advocacy organization
As you have learned, public policy is shaped by many factors and therefore evolves over time. For this assignment, you will focus on a specific advocacy organization and identify a policy or law that connects to the chosen organization.
This will give you the opportunity to see this evolution within an actual organization and how it affects issues of politics, ethics, integrity, and society.
Your paper should be 5–6 pages in length. Choose an advocacy organization local to you. Then provide the following information:
Identify your chosen organization and supply a brief history of it.
Identify and briefly (in 1–2 paragraphs) explain the problem(s) or issue(s) that the organization is intended to address.
Define the stated mission goal(s) of the organization. Has its mission goal(s) changed over time? If so, how?
Identify one specific policy or law that your chosen organization is currently supporting.
Provide information about the policy or law as well and why the organization is supporting it.
Be sure to include information on how the organization is supporting that policy or law.
Thinking about the information above, in your opinion, has the organization been successful in achieving its mission goal(s)? Why or why not?
Use at least four sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your sources page at least one time within your assignment.
For help with research, writing, and citing sources, access the library or review library guides.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Evaluate the relationship between the evolution of public policy and issues concerning politics, ethics, integrity, and society.
An advocacy group supports a political or social cause. They may recommend certain changes in government, public policy, society, and/or law. An advocacy group comes together around a common issue, like greater rights for immigrants and refugees, the environment, education, health care, or women’s rights.
What do advocacy groups do?
Advocacy groups create change by influencing government or society to act. Advocacy groups may use the following methods to do this:
- Public education like information pamphlets or websites, workshops, and seminars;
- Lobbying, which means to try and influence government. Groups can lobby through letter-writing campaigns, direct talks with decision makers and politicians and petitions;
- Media activity including news conferences, interviews, and publishing articles;
- Coalition building that happens when many groups or organizations come together for a common cause;
- ‘Grassroots’ activities where a large number of community members can participate in, such as protests, rallies, and demonstrations.
What are some examples of advocacy groups in Ontario?
- Colour of Poverty – The Colour of Poverty is an Ontario community based effort to help raise public awareness about poverty within racialized communities.
- Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) – CCR is committed to the rights and protection of refugees in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada. They have a very active youth group.
- Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) – is a national charitable organization that works toward ensuring the law guarantees substantive equality for all women in Canada.
- Ontario Coalition Against Poverty – a direct-action based anti-poverty organization based in Toronto but that work on issues that affect people across the province.
- Encampment Support Network – an ad-hoc, volunteer-run network supporting people living in encampments in 6 locations throughout Toronto.
How can I get involved?
You can volunteer at an advocacy group. Advocacy groups are usually looking for volunteers like you. Volunteering is a great way for you to:
- Meet people and make friends
- Learn more about an issue
- Learn new skills
- Find out about job opportunities
Too scared to volunteer? Most advocacy groups have youth groups, or organize around youth issues, so you’ll be around people your own age. Youth groups can never have too many volunteers or members. A few examples:
- Canadian Council for Refugees Youth Network –a refugee youth network that tries to give a youth voice to refugee issues that the CCR campaigns for.
- Supporting Our Youth (SOY) – SOY tries to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto.
- Youth Action Network (YAN) – YAN helps youth become more informed and actively involved so we can move towards a just and sustainable society.
If there is a group you are interested in, contact them directly through phone or email. You can search for groups by topic on 211Ontario and at TakingItGlobal.Org
You can also work at an advocacy organization. Volunteering with a group can be a great way to learn about job opportunities. Another great way to hear about jobs is CharityVillage, which focuses on jobs in non-profit organizations.
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