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2. A WORKING DEFINITION OF ADVOCACY. Advocacy is an action directed at change. It is putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem, building support for that solution and for the action necessary to implement that solution.. 3. WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY?Social jus
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1. 1 LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS
AND
ADVOCACY
Denise Conroy
Chairman
Zonta International LAA Committee
March 2009
Adapted for District 7 Area Meetings
Kathy Swan, District Governor
2. 2 A WORKING DEFINITION OF ADVOCACY Advocacy is an action directed at change.
It is putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem, building support for that solution and for the action necessary to implement that solution.
3. 3 WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY?
Social justice advocacy is public advocacy, which draws attention to an injustice and promotes the public good. It focuses attention on improving the well-being of the poor and marginalized members of the community. For example, social justice public advocacy efforts take up issues relating to women, children, workers, the disabled, etc. For Zonta International, the focus must be on women and the girl child.
4. 4 In summary, Advocacy begins with a problem or with a perception that there is a better alternative to a current condition and seeks to solve that problem and/or implement the selected alternative.
5. 5 ZONTA INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY POLICY
As adopted by the Zonta International Board, at its February 2000 meeting; as last amended by the Zonta International Board, January 2009. (Refer to the Zonta International Website LAA Page).
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7. 7 ADVOCACY GOALS
Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs, shall be nonpartisan and nonsectarian.
2. Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs are encouraged to support legislation submitted to a legislative body for its consideration, which advances the implementation of the Objects of Zonta, the mandates of Zonta International Resolutions (current), the Beijing Declaration from the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women and its updates and the Millennium Development Goals and their updates.
8. 8 Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs will ascertain if there are other like-minded organizations or individuals researching issues regarding the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women, and co-operate with these other organizations and individuals when appropriate. (Refer to Revised Policy on Affiliation of Zonta with Other Organizations ZI Website, LAA Page).
9. 9 Whenever it is more effective to do so, Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs will work in co-operation with other organizations to educate people (including ourselves) about the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional issues which affect the lives of women and the actions we must initiate to effect a positive change.
5. When Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs host or sponsor educative activities, every effort should be made for a well-balanced presentation of the facts and viewpoints.
10. 10 Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs may register protests concerning violations of human rights with the Zonta International United Nations Committee.
Clubs shall not otherwise express positions on issues involving a country other than their own except with the prior approval of the International President through the International United Nations Chairman.
Districts shall not otherwise express positions on issues involving countries other than their own except with the prior approval of the International President through the International United Nations Chairman.
c. Individual Zonta members shall not otherwise express positions on issues involving a country other than their own except with prior approval of the International President through the International United Nations Chairman.
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Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs shall not advocate on behalf of, or endorse, a political candidate or party, or any religious denomination.
Zonta International, its districts, and its clubs may endorse qualified individuals for nonpartisan positions.
12. 12 Zonta clubs may express their opinion on issues only as clubs. Zonta districts may express their opinions only as districts. The Convention may express opinions on issues on behalf of Zonta International. Between conventions, only the Zonta International Board may express opinions on issues on behalf of Zonta International. Subject to Article 6[c] individual Zonta members may express a position on issues involving a country other than their own providing they use the exact wording of the position as contained in material adopted by the Zonta International Board or the International Presidents approval given through the International United Nations Chairman.
13. Individual members may express their personal views on issues which have not been given prior approval by the International President, through the International UN Chairman, only as private citizens, but must not attribute them to a Zonta club or District or to Zonta International.
10. Districts may include guidelines for the process for determining their advocacy activity in their district rules of procedure providing that such guidelines conform to the International Guidelines. 13
14. 14 ZONTA INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY PROTOCOL
15. 15 Please Note:
No-one other than the International President/International Board can sign on behalf of Zonta International
Club Presidents can only sign on behalf of club if a motion is passed by a majority of members at a club meeting. (Club Boards of Directors cannot make policy/pass motions or take action binding a club).
On advocacy matters to be decided by the club, advance notice of discussion should be given (agenda items) and any papers distributed to all members before any vote is taken.
Governors, clubs, individuals should only advocate on matters pertaining to their own jurisdictions. Concerns re matters in other countries should be referred to the Chairman of the United Nations Committee. ** ( Refer to the Advocacy Policy, Section 9 for further information).
16. 16 Zonta must remain nonpartisan and nonsectarian in advocacy action and on issues.
Zonta Districts, Clubs and members should not sign petitions in Zontas name.
Send a copy of your letter/action to your District LAA Chairman and to the International Chairman of the Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee
Contacts ( See International Directory)
Chairman, LAA Committee: Denise Conroy
(email : d.conroy@qut.edu.au)
** Chairman, UN Committee: Jackie Shapiro
(email : jacci007@aol.com )
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19. 19 What is the difference between lobbying and advocacy?
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26. ZONTA INTERNATIONAL POSITION ON LETTER-WRITING BY ZONTIANS, ZONTA CLUBS, DISTRICTS: That any advocacy which involves co-ordinated letter-writing by members/clubs be checked with the LAA Chairman/UN Chairman before proceeding.
Advocacy on major Conventions will be co-ordinated through the LAA Chairman/UN Chairman and draft letters/templates will be provided for use by members/clubs/districts.
Above all, advocacy can only take place on matters covered by Zontas Objects (a) and (c) - improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health status of women and promoting justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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27. LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS means that we know the process by which laws are created at the local, state and federal (national) level of government, from the first mention/thought on the issue through to the passage or defeat of a law.
LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS also means that we know how to have laws repealed or changed, how to prepare submissions for parliamentary inquiries or reviews, and how to present a logical, comprehensive case to support our views/arguments for or against it.
This awareness or discipline is referred to as the public policy process. It is the starting point for advocacy.
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LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS also means educating yourself about the Division of Powers in your country that is, what each level of government is responsible for.
You also need to know whether each level of government has co-equal powers, or whether one level is superior to (ie. can over-rule) another level. 28
29. IT IS ALSO HELPFUL TO KNOW ABOUT:
The Constitution
Federal (National) and State legislature processes
Local Government processes
How laws are made
The agencies/departments which implement and enforce laws
How and when you can participate in the legislative process
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30. HOW CAN WE INFORM OURSELVES ON LEGISLATIVE MATTERS? Check your parliaments website *
Run a seminar session with invited (knowledgeable) speakers
Ask someone in your State who lectures in politics or public policy or who has a Masters Degree in these fields
Ask a senior politician how laws are made/to explain the legislative process
Better still, recruit people in these occupations as members
(* See www.mkogy.hu/world.parliaments.htm) 30
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35. WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU? RESOURCES ON THE Z.I. WEBSITE LAA PAGE:
ADVOCACY/SERVICE SCORECARD (does it meet our Objects?)
ADVOCACY FRAMEWORK (matching Zontas Objects with CEDAW Articles 1-16)
WHEN/WHO TO TAKE ACTION (at what level International, District, Club should the issue be dealt with?)
HOW SHOULD ADVOCACY PROCEED? (what policies/guidelines are applicable? Conduct thorough research; check District and Club advocacy processes). 35
36. APPLYING ZONTAS SCORECARD TO THE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE/ZISVAW 2008-2010 PROJECTS (plus Beijing + 10 Goals and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Millennium Summit + 5)
This demonstrates our connectivity to key platforms
for women (including CEDAW) and enhances our
consultative status with the United Nations. 36
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