KINE 3490 Class 5

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KINE 3490 Class 5

• Advocacy and Influence

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Last Week (review)

• A Community Perspective Who gets to use public
  space?
• Guest speaker Jeff Carmichael
• Reading Opening the Doors Hums MacLean (Chap.
  6) Harmonized Permit Alloc.Policy

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This week

• Canadian Sport System Advocacy and Influence
• Guest speaker Ian Bird, Sport Matters Group
• Reading Sport Matters Group Beyond 2010
  Canadian Sport Policy Priorities 2007-12
• Final project Assignment/outline progress

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Advocacy

• Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes
  including public-policy and resource allocation
  decisions within political, economic, and social
  systems and institutions that directly affect
  peoples current lives. (Cohen, 2001)
• The act of pleading or arguing in favor of
  something, such as a cause, idea, or policy
  active support. (www.thefreedictionary.com)

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Advocacy in Canadian Sport

• Collective Sport Matters Group, Sport 4 Ontario,
  Sport Nova Scotia
• Individual NSO, PSO, MSO, clubs
• Private Businesses, Industry Associations
• To funders Sport Canada, P/T Ministries
• To politicians Minister of Sport, etc

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The Readings

• What opportunities for advocacy are created by
  release of the F/P/T Priorities?
• What was Sport Matters Groups objective in
  preparing the Beyond 2010 document?

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An Advocacy Primer
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1 - Understand the IssuesLeaders face many
issues. They want to appeal to as many voters as
possible, which means keeping options open by not
saying no. At the same time they work within
tight budget limits- so they often cannot say
yes either.To prepare your strategy for
getting them off the fence and supporting your
goals, it helps to understand some key issues
facing candidates or incumbents. Do your research!
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2 Get Your Team On SideUnity is vital to
success in any advocacy effort. Nothing will
undermine your position faster than opponents in
your own camp. Candidates will quickly point out
that they are hearing mixed messages.Bring your
team together early on. Find out what your
members and organizations want to achieve. Focus
on what you have in common and build a target on
that common ground. Agree on who speaks for you.
Remind everyone that without unity there can be
no success.
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3 Build Your CaseBe prepared! Governments use
professional planners to decide what facilities
are needed and how to build them economically. If
youre going to suggest that more or better
facilities are needed, youll need a strong
business case.Do your homework!
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4 Set a SMART TargetYou need a clear,
compelling target. Use the SMART acronym to help
your group agree on its goalSpecific Clear
and detailed Measurable So you know youve
succeeded Agreed Everybody on side Realistic
Do your homework- be credible Timebound Set a
deadline for completionFor example, Our goal
is to build one new field a year for the next
decade.
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5 Craft the MessageA good advocacy message is
clear, concise, and compelling. You should be
able to say it in one sentence, and then you
should say it every chance you get.Now Hear
This, is an excellent guide to advocacy
communication. Use it to help you craft a clear,
memorable message.www.fenton.com/files/
/IndustryGuide_NowHearThis_ah4.pdf
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6 Gather Your AlliesYoure always stronger
with friends. Now that you have a target and a
clear message, look for allies who will support
your position. Consider working with the
following groups in your community-Your Sport
Council or other Sport Organizations-Public
Health Organizations-Service Groups (Kinsmen,
Lions, etc)-Youth Groups
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7 Get AcquaintedDont wait for the election
itself. It takes time to build strong
relationships. Candidates use the months leading
to the election to plan their platform and listen
to public opinion. As soon as you can, meet
with- Representatives or candidates (Mayor,
Council, MPPs, MPs)- Appropriate department
staff- Local mediaShare your goal and message.
Ask how you can work together. You may be invited
to participate in policy development
consultations or meetings.
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8 Get the Message OutAs election day draws
nearer youll need to keep your goal front and
center. Its risky to endorse specific
candidates- instead try to get all candidates to
support your target in their own way. Try- An
e-mail or mail campaign- A media event invite
local media on a brief tour so they can
understand your issue.- A debate make sure you
are present at candidate debates in your area.
Let them know in advance what questions you will
be asking.
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9 Follow ThroughThe work doesnt end on
election day in fact, good advocacy is a
year-round effort. Build trust and credibility by
maintaining regular contact with elected
representatives and staff.If candidates made
specific commitments, note these and ask them how
your group can help make promises into reality.
Try to meet elected officials and staff at these
key times- Within 30 days of the election-
congratulations!- As budgets are being prepared
by staff- When budget decisions are made at
Council
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10 Measure SuccessRemember your measurable
target? Track how you did at these key times-
At election time which elected candidates made
promises?- Six months later which promises are
going forward into the annual planning/budget
cycle?- One year later How many promises are
turning into realities?
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Policy Development Cycle
CONTEXT STRATEGY
EVALUATION
DEFINE ISSUE
DECISION IMPLEMENTATION
ANALYSIS OPTIONS
CONSULTATION
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The Policy Alternatives Project Process
Timeline

• Form group (5 or 6) Mar 19
• Discuss policy interests Mar 26
  organizational contacts
• Identify top 3 choices Mar
  26
• Approach organization Apr 2
  contact(s) and interview
  them re policy needs
• Identify agree policy Apr 9
  problem objectives for
  new or revised policy
• Submit Topic Info in class Apr 9

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Steps in Policy Alternatives Project
(cont )

• Obtain cooperation of contact Apr 9-16
  get pertinent documentation
• Do research (review existing Apr 16-30
  documentation, do interviews
  if necessary)
• Brainstorm policy alternatives Apr 16-30
  (at least 4-5)
• Test alternatives with Apr
  16-30 representatives
  from 3 different
  stakeholder groups (3 people)

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Steps in Policy Alternatives Project
(cont )

• Based on research, select Apr 23-May 7
  best case policy alternatives
  (3) describe
• Identify the strengths and Apr 23-May 7
  limitations of each alternative
• Make policy recommendation Apr 23-May 7 with
  rationale
• Final papers due in class May 7
• Group presentations May 7 14

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Next week

• Politics and Policy Issues A Professional Sport
  Perspective - Public funding for private sport?
• Reading Hums MacLean (Ch. 12 13)
  Zussman
• Submit Policy Alternatives Topic