Advocacy/Lobbying Procedures

Young People in Recovery (YPR) strives to advocate for positive, effective policy changes for our members and their communities throughout the country.  Our advocacy plan comprises national, state, and local efforts that include YPR national staff as well as local YPR representatives. We want to ensure that the difference between lobbying and advocacy is explained.  Advocacy is focused on educating individuals (elected officials, government employees, community members, etc.) on a specific public policy issue.  Lobbying involves direct attempts to influence specific legislation at the local, state, or federal level.  Lobbying makes up a small portion of the total amount of advocacy efforts by most nonprofits and makes up a certain percentage of the operating budget of an organization like Young People in Recovery.  

To ensure the integrity of the advocacy process, YPR requires the following steps be followed:

1. Any YPR member who wishes to partake in the advocacy process must contact YPR’s Public Policy Director beforehand
2. An advocacy plan/statement must be presented to the Public Policy Director 
3. Members must fill out the following document
   1. Advocacy Plan of Action  
4. Public Policy Director will discuss the specific plan with the Executive Director to determine if YPR will take an official stance on the issue at hand. 

Advocacy Plan of Action Questions

1. What is the specific issue you will be advocating for?
2. Who will you be advocating to ?  
   1. Local, State, or Federal governments?  
   2. Executive Agencies?  
   3. Elected Officials? 
   4. If you have several different meetings, please list all of them
3. Is this issue pending in a legislative capacity?
   1. Senate or House Floor?
   2. Senate or House Committees?
4. Who are the elected officials supporting this issue?
   1. To the best of your knowledge, why are they supporting it?
5. Who are the elected officials opposing this issue?
   1. To the best of your knowledge, why are they opposing it?
6. Who are the groups supporting this issue?
   1. To the best of your knowledge, why are they supporting it?
7. Who are the groups opposing this issue? 
   1. To the best of your knowledge, why are they opposing it?
8. How will you be advocating?  
   1. One on one meetings?  
   2. Committee Hearings?  
   3. Public testimony?
9. How does your issue align with YPR’s mission and vision?
10. Will this issue have a positive or negative effect on your community and your chapter members?
    1. Please describe: 
11. Are there any DEI or equity concerns that your policy affects?
12. How will this issue affect YPR as a whole?
13. Do you have a contingency plan if the bottom line goal is not achieved?
14. How will you track the outcomes of your advocacy plan?