By Lisa Sieren
Depending on who you ask, I know a lot (according to my mom) or not a whole lot (I err on the side of my mom’s opinion). Each year, United Way holds an advocacy training in preparation for our Day on the Hill. This year at our Day on the Hill advocacy training, one advocacy tip was strongly highlighted: talk about what you know.
Talk about what you know . . . sounds simple, right? That’s because it is. We all have things we believe in that we know a lot about. It is much easier to speak out on something we have personal or professional knowledge in -- rather than an issue we know few details about and probably have less conviction for. Does that mean we need to know everything about an issue? No. If asked a question that you can’t answer, or have a point in a debate that you can’t respond to, it is perfectly OK to say “I don’t know, but I will look into it.” Acknowledging when we need to follow-up on an issue does not mean we lost the debate or our point is not valid. The more we advocate, the better we can anticipate the questions or feedback we’ll receive and have responses ready.
Take the hotly-debated smoking ban legislation last year. Like many constituents, I contacted one of my local legislators regarding their vote on this issue. As someone who has lost a family member to lung cancer, I have witnessed the health impacts of smoking. As an individual who has lived in two separate communities that initiated smoking bans, I have seen how such restrictions impact communities. With these personal experiences, I engaged in advocacy by simply talking about what I know.
You can, too. Decide what you know. And start talking!
Depending on who you ask, I know a lot (according to my mom) or not a whole lot (I err on the side of my mom’s opinion). Each year, United Way holds an advocacy training in preparation for our Day on the Hill. This year at our Day on the Hill advocacy training, one advocacy tip was strongly highlighted: talk about what you know.
Talk about what you know . . . sounds simple, right? That’s because it is. We all have things we believe in that we know a lot about. It is much easier to speak out on something we have personal or professional knowledge in -- rather than an issue we know few details about and probably have less conviction for. Does that mean we need to know everything about an issue? No. If asked a question that you can’t answer, or have a point in a debate that you can’t respond to, it is perfectly OK to say “I don’t know, but I will look into it.” Acknowledging when we need to follow-up on an issue does not mean we lost the debate or our point is not valid. The more we advocate, the better we can anticipate the questions or feedback we’ll receive and have responses ready.
Take the hotly-debated smoking ban legislation last year. Like many constituents, I contacted one of my local legislators regarding their vote on this issue. As someone who has lost a family member to lung cancer, I have witnessed the health impacts of smoking. As an individual who has lived in two separate communities that initiated smoking bans, I have seen how such restrictions impact communities. With these personal experiences, I engaged in advocacy by simply talking about what I know.
You can, too. Decide what you know. And start talking!
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