Nancy Amidei’s book So You Want to Make a Difference is written for citizens who want to advocate for change in their communities. There are tips for media outreach, organizing, and networking. She also addresses how to communicate with decision-makers in face-to-face meetings. Oftentimes, one may have as little as sixty seconds to get one’s message across.
Below are two sample scripts for advocating for animal services in the City of Seattle. They are geared towards Seattle Councilmembers but can be modified for any government official or their staff. They can also be modified depending on the issue and the suggested action or “ask.”
Sample Script A
Your name and where you live (Hi, I’m ________ and I live in your District).
Your group or agency - mention number of members or people served in the official's District. (I’m a member of ____ and we serve about 300 animals every month in your District).
Say what you want to call to their attention. (I’m concerned about the level of funding for animal services or I’m concerned about how animal services have been neglected in Seattle).
Say what you’d like them to do. (Please consider updating the Animal Control statutes in the Seattle Municipal Code [Title 9]).
Give them something in writing that includes how to contact your group. (I’d be glad to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, here’s some basic information about what we do). Have a basic fact sheet about your program with you at all times.
Sample Script B (include one or two of these items)
Your name and where you live, your group or agency. (Same as above).
Put a human/animal face on your program - paint a brief word picture - it can be about someone you helped or your own experience.
Mention something that you are doing now that works.
Note how your efforts help in their community, how your efforts help public dollars work.
Remind them: volunteers and the non-profit sector cannot do the job alone. We can’t have “public-private” partnership if the public partner opts out.