Category : Advocacy

We are all familiar with this famous quote from Margaret Mead: 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" With all due respect to Ms. Mead, I think she is mistaken. Particularly her comment that it is the “only” thing. It has been my experience that meaningful, long-lasting systemic change requires engaging large numbers of people.

Reflecting on four skills which were vital to helping move the children’s mental health policy in Iowa forward with substantial success during the 2019 legislative session

Getting to the tipping point requires building consensus on strategy and outcomes. It requires shared and consistent messaging. It requires both persistence and the ability to be nimble—to react and respond to emerging threats and opportunities.

A long-haul advocacy approach recognizes that systems change often requires fluid planning involving a series of steps – with many fits and starts along the way. Small steps are usually needed to lay the foundation for larger ones. So what are some first steps for an aspiring long-haul advocate can take?

Maybe if we better understood our own motivations, we’d be more successful impacting others. Why do we think it is the facts that will motivate them when it is seldom what motivates us?

Most of us who work in the policy arena, at least initially, do so more out of necessity more than desire. Obstacles and barriers that are created at the system-level (often, but not always, unintentionally), must be challenged at the system-level, at the policy level.