"Nonprofit lobbying is exciting, rewarding, honorable work. Lobbying is a proven way to advance issues, support good ideas, respond to crises, avert disasters, and ensure that an organization's work is adequately supported. Through lobbying, specific laws and regulations that will further an organization's mission can be identified and pressed for adoption. Public policies can be shaped and sustained to reflect an organization's values and priorities. The Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy shows board members how to use their power and privilege to move their organization's work forward."--Provided by publisher.

This is the first book-length treatment of the concepts, designs, methods, and tools needed to conduct effective advocacy and policy change evaluations. By integrating insights from different disciplines, Part I provides a conceptual foundation for navigating advocacy tactics within today's turbulent policy landscape. Part II offers recommendations for developing appropriate evaluation designs and working with unique advocacy and policy change–oriented instruments. Part III turns toward opportunities and challenges in this growing field. In addition to describing actual designs and measures, the chapters includes suggestions for addressing the specific challenges of working in a policy setting, such as a long time horizon for achieving meaningful change. To illuminate and advance this area of evaluation practice, the authors draw on over 30 years of evaluation experience; collective wisdom based on a new, large-scale survey of evaluators in the field; and in-depth case studies on diverse issues—from the environment, to public health, to human rights. Ideal for evaluators, change makers, and funders, this book is the definitive guide to advocacy and policy change evaluation.

Today's political climate has Americans on both sides of the aisle frustrated and looking for new advocacy tools and change. Many want to take action but don’t because the process is too confusing and intimidating…until now. Right to Petition is an easy to follow how-to guide that puts the power back into the hands of the people, empowering readers with impactful knowledge and tools including: 40+ sample Congressional asks Common advocate mistakes (and how to avoid them) Networking and timing strategies Real-life case studies outlining what works, what doesn't and why You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how Congress works and a strong strategic plan for success. Right to Petition is for advocates, activists, and concerned citizens with any level of experience and a passion for sparking change. "The tips I share are actual advocacy secrets from Capitol Hill,” says author Nicole Tisdale. “They are the tools staffers and Members of Congress have used and seen hi-powered lobbyists use to get movement and tangible results. My goal is to make Congress understandable and accessible to all."

One part research studies, one part interviews and focus groups, and one part experience, this text provides practical guidance on preparing for and meeting with elected officials and staff, writing effective letters and e-mails to elected officials, and strategies for influencing legislators face to face.

Interest groups form an important part of the development of political and social systems. This book goes beyond current literature in examining the survival and ‘careers’ of such groups beyond their formation. The author introduces the concept of organizational form and develops a framework to describe and evaluate organisations, and uncover how they adapt to survive. Using example case studies from the UK, US and Australia, the book presents extensive historical analyses of specific groups, to better understand the organisation and position of such groups within their political system. It analyses how groups differentiate themselves from each other, how they develop differently and what impact this has on policy implementation and democratic legitimacy. The Organization of Political Interest Groups will be of interest to students and scholars of political science, comparative politics, public representation, and public policy.

"A Psychiatrist's Guide to Advocacy explores the diverse conditions that may demand an in-tervention or affirmative response from mental health practitioners charged with advocating for patients and the profession. The editors and authors argue for a greater culture of advo-cacy among psychiatrists to effect broad and lasting changes, emphasizing that advocacy takes many forms (e.g., organizational, patient-level, legislative, media, education). The au-thors identify systemic problems in mental health care, describe the essential factors needed for effective advocacy, and delineate the advocacy needs of diverse patient populations (e.g., children and families, older adults, LGBTQ patients, veterans)"--