Museum Advocacy

What is Advocacy?

Definitions of the terms grassroots, advocacy and lobbying abound. It can seem overwhelming at first, but rest assured wherever these terms appear they are generally referring to relatively the same concepts and activities.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, lobbying is the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy, with active support.

It is believed that the term lobbying derived from the practice of decision-makers and advocates discussing issues and positions while moving through the halls and lobbies of Congress and other settings. Though the practice of lobbying in politics far pre-dates the American experiment, it is rumored the term was coined during the Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant who was often approached by those seeking favors in the lobby of the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC.

Grassroots: People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity, also the groundwork or source of something.

Outside lobbying or indirect lobbying, also called grassroots lobbying, seeks to affect public policy change and positions by influencing public opinion.

Grassroots lobbying: Mobilizing the public or people in a community to lobby elected officials or other decision makers for a particular position or cause.

Advocacy is the process, through lobbying and grassroots mobilization, of bringing about change in the attitudes of politicians and the resulting public policies and laws.

Effective advocacy is making your case in terms that resonate with your audience.

August 26, 2016 Our staff enjoyed meeting with staff members Rita, Dallas and Ben from @repbobgibbs offices in Ashland and Washington DC yesterday! #invitecongress

Why Lobby?

Because…

• It is your right, and, some would argue, your duty, as an American citizen.
• It can bring about policy change that can make people’s lives better.
• It is how you make your voice heard and get your piece of the pie.
• You can help speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.
• It is evidence of our system at work—it helps fulfill checks and balances.

And Remember…

Politicians and their staffs are just people too. Lobbying is a credible and valuable mechanism for sharing key information with policy makers and getting them intimately involved in supporting the work you do. Your museum is a community center where students come to learn, where families come to share a common educational experience and where citizens and visitors come to better understand their community and the world around them. As a valuable constituent, it is your right to speak up for your museum!