Learning Activity 10:
Lobbying and Coalition Building
"Being willing to change allows you to move from a point of view to a viewing point - a higher, more expansive place, from which you can see both sides." - Thomas Crum
"Our only security is our ability to change." - John Lilly
Overview
All citizens have the right and duty to participate in the legislative process. To become a serious agent for change, individuals need to make their concerns known to local and provincially/federally elected officials for real change to occur.
Lobbying is simply communicating your views on local, provincial, or national policy issues to your elected officials in a timely and effective manner. By doing so, you are making your voice heard and your concerns addressed. The purpose is to get a member of Parliament to vote for you, your goal, or your cause. There are several methods of lobbying. These include face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, letters, or e-mails. Generally, the more personal the contact, the more effective. If you cannot meet with a MP, a meeting with his/her legislative assistant is almost as good.
Never underestimate the importance of what you have to say. As a professional, you bring a unique perspective to health care issues and often have intricate knowledge that helps provide insight for government officials. It is also important that you lobby those members of Parliament who may support your views as well as those who may not. Lobbying can change votes so it is important that you lobby the people who disagree with you. As well, lobbying supporters provides them with evidence that there are people out there backing their position and allows them to be more active in championing that position.
While individuals can have great impact, there is a greater chance of being successful by forming a coalition. A unified voice on an issue coming from a group with a broad, perhaps provincial or nation wide membership will increase the effectiveness of your advocacy. Join forces with other community groups who want to improve societal conditions and work toward achieving common goals.
Ends In View
This learning activity is intended to provide learners with the opportunity to:- Apply the process of lobbying and coalition building to address nursing and societal issues.
- Recognize the power for change that lies inherent in their own voice, abilities, knowledge, and vote.
- Access public resources to familiarize themselves with local and national lobbying and coalition building resources.
In Practice
1. Participate in class discussion regarding lobbying and coalition building in nursing.
2. In the RNAO reading, the RNAO describe a unique and extremely important change initiated by concerned nurses related to Elder abuse. In small groups, draw a model of the steps taken by this group in this change process.
3. Herrington describes several characteristics of Knowledge Workers in relation to societal change. Nurses are becoming knowledge workers with their degree as entry to practice, and in the move to develop the profession, discipline and science of nursing. How can the strengths and characteristics of this slowly but steadily group of citizens be tapped to affect critical social change in Canada? How can nurses spearhead this movement towards change?
4. In small groups, brainstorm a social issue relevant to nursing and create a map or table to outline the steps you would take to form a coalition to address the issue. Give your coalition a pertinent name, and identify the key players who would spearhead the initiative. Would this be a short-term or long-term coalition? Why?
In Reflection
1. What societal issues would you be motivated to lobby for? How will you go about it?
2.What current coalitions would you be interested in joining?
3. What issue are you passionate about enough that makes you think about forming a coalition to address the issue?
References
Forsythe, J. (1997). A guide to coalition building.Cypress Consulting.
Herrington, A. (2005). Maslow's hierarchy, societal change and the knowledge worker revolution. Pateo Consulting.
International Association for Public Participation. (2000) Public Participation Toolbox.
Lobbying Australia. (1995). Guide to Lobbying Part 1 of 4.
Wainwright, H. (2002). Notes towards a new politics: New strategies for people power. Transnational Institute. TNI Briefing Series.
IN PREPARATION:
