One of the more interesting facts about advocates is that they are likely to wear their cause on their sleeve….or should I say on their Tshirts, wrists or bodies somewhere. We asked this question in our research and although there were so many compelling learnings about what advocates do and say, the wearing of clothes to telegraph one’s advocacy is more compelling than ever as we watch the events in Iran unfold. Citzens of Iran wear green wristbands to show their support for opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi. They wear green headbands and scarfs. Advocacy carries deeper meaning as we watch people in Iran rise up and protest their rights.
Tags: Advocacy, advocates, green, wristbands
The Obama stimulus plan is looking for advocates. An email was sent to hosts of stimulus plan parties seeking support and info on explaining the bill. New DNC chairman Tim Kaine is videoed urging support and instructions on how to achieve that: “Don’t forget to gather stories and questions from your guests — they will be featured on BarackObama.com to tell the story of the economic crisis, and our recovery.” Advocacy is all about telling stories and sharing them– much like Obama has done. Kaine also answers questions from ordinary people in his 13 minutes on video. I received a 4 minute video from President Obama this morning asking me to advocate the plan and explaining why he needs my support. [Where does he find the time? Does he sleep?]As soon as the plan is passed, www.recovery.gov goes live and we can see how our money is being spent and is meeting its objectives. Advocacy has never been so viral, so social and so immediate.
Tags: Advocacy, advocates, Kaine, Obama, Stimulus plan
Advocacy networks are alive and well as the new American President-Elect gets close to Inauguration day. I just visited www.FixThisBarack.com and www.WhiteHouse2.org. These are not Obama-sponsored sites but sites where crowd sourcing thrive. At WhiteHouse2.org, you can endorse or oppose a suggestion for change. Very similar to our thinking about advocating or badvocating for a cause, government policy or legislation. Enthusiasts, fans and other advocates can also visit www.change.gov which is an Obama-endorsed site and join a discussion on policy direction. Today when I visited the site, nearly 500 comments were in response to “What social causes and service organizations are you a part of that make a difference in your community?” It is extraordinary to witness participatory government and advocacy at its best. Two people discussed a group called Invisible Children that provides aid for children in Africa who are taken by soldiers and living in this war-torn area. One explained the mission and another described the Facebook page on the charity. It was heartwrenching when I visited the site but a good example of how advocacy can spread from visit to visit.
It will be interesting to see how the political sites progress as Obama’s first 100 days (in office) ends and politics-as-usual heats up. Will people still believe that someone is listening?
