Alison Symington, Everyday Advocacy

On-call ‘Director of Advocacy & Campaigns’

Everyone can participate in law and policy advocacy. Community members and front-line workers have significant expertise and can help dismantle barriers, challenge stigma and discrimination, and transform society for the good of all. 

In my ideal not-for-profit sector, every organization would have a Director of Advocacy and Campaigns. Whether you provide front-line services, do research or allocate funds, to work effectively you need to understand proposed legislation, recent legal decisions, and institutional policies. In order to improve our communities and support clients, we all need to be engaged in decision-making processes, and to respond promptly and assertively to regressive actions and injustices.

Many organizations do not have a Director of Advocacy and Campaigns on staff however, which is where my “on-call” services come in. I am available to:

  • monitor and summarize legal developments;
  • recommend engagement strategies and media messages;
  • draft briefing papers and policy submissions, organizational position papers, and campaign documents;
  • liaise with partners, build coalitions and mobilize your supporters;
  • facilitate conversations about legal and policy issues; and
  • ensure the voices and experiences of your community are heard.

 

My business model is built around the recognition that policy work often must happen at unexpected and inopportune times. As civil society, we have no say in when a court will issue a decision or the timing of government consultations or bills. We have to respond whether we are ready or not. Put me on speed dial — I’ll make sure you are able respond when you need to.

Did You Know

For many years, there were limits on the amount of “political activity” a Canadian charity could undertake. This was found to be unconstitutional in July 2018. The federal government therefore removed the limitations so that charities can engage in non-partisan political activities and the development of public policy in order to advance their mandates and benefit their communities.