The Essence of Advocacy
“There is NO reason we can’t drown poverty in opportunity.” Well said, Newt Gingrich, well said.
On Friday afternoon, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, spoke to the Power 100 Summit about the difference between being a good citizen and being an advocate. While good citizens tend towards charity for their causes, advocates make it personal, using grassroot activism to affect real change from the bottom up.
Mr. Gingrich gave us three ground rules that form ‘the essence of advocacy.’ When dealing with political figures, it’s imperative to:
1. Make it personal. Explain why it’s important to them that the changes be made…
2. Attach specific action. Make it impossible for them to forget you or your cause; have them sign a letter, speak at an event, etc. Let them know what you want them to do…
3. Close the sale. Make it real. Walk away from the talk with the end goal accomplished that you appraoched them for at the beginning…
Mr. Gingrich also spoke to us on the importance of the ‘good neighbor policy’, and about our responsibility to bring technology, medicine, education, and real change to those in the world that live in desperate poverty. He was a wonderful speaker, encouraging all of us to go forth and be more than just good citizens, but to be true advocates for the ONE Campaign.
