It’s safe to say that most organizations in the voluntary sector keep close tabs on what goes on in government. Whenever policy is made, or is slated to come down the pike, it affects the greater social landscape, and by extension, the charitable infrastructure. But do voluntary sector organizations really understand how to jump into these policy discussions effectively and make their positions and feedback known?
According to the experts below, this question touches on one of the major barriers to nonprofits successfully engaging with government. So it is incumbent on these groups to understand how to deal with, raise issues, and dialogue with government effectively, part of which (an important part) means becoming more familiar with policy processes.
Breaking down the barriers
Paula Speevak-Sladowski is managing director of the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development in Ottawa, and has some pointed advice on the topic for nonprofits. “One of the most helpful things for voluntary organizations is becoming familiar with policy process, the people, and the politics,” she says. According to Speevak-Sladowski, nonprofits should start by contemplating the following checklist and questions that she has laid out:
- An understanding of the jurisdictional arrangements – is the policy issue within federal, provincial/territorial, or municipal control?
- Awareness of the legislative context – is the policy issue related to a specific bill or act?
- Knowledge of the terms of the policy/legislation – is there a built-in cyclical review?
- Familiarity with the policy development process itself – what are the stages and steps that lead up to a policy being established? Is there planned public consultation? Is there an invitation to submit a brief?
- Clarity about the points of authority – who and how is a final decision made? Are there exemptions, appeals, or other means of flexibility?
“With familiarity about the policy process, voluntary organizations can be strategic in their interventions so that they have the maximum impact,” she explains. “They can strengthen their voices through coalitions, they can engage the public at large through promotion and the media, and can target their efforts to the right people at the right time.”
Speevak-Sladowski also stresses that fostering strong relationships between policy-makers and voluntary sector leaders is crucial because “the on-the-ground wisdom and direct connections to citizens that organizations can bring to public policy dialogue is invaluable.” It’s a sentiment echoed by others.
Prepare to schmooze
Liz Scanlon is strategic counsel with the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) in Toronto. She advises her clients that the best way to approach policy issues is through preparation and interaction. “Do your research and understand the context,” she says. “For example, [consider] what other pressures the government is facing, and where your issue fits on their agenda? Second, frame your position as a solution to a challenge that the government is facing, rather than making a rights- or needs-based argument. Third, don’t neglect the bureaucracy. Nonprofits tend to focus on elected officials exclusively and forget that so much of the policy-making takes place among the rank and file. Get to know those public servants.” And have an actual two-way conversation.
“In any meeting with a government official, plan to do less transmitting than receiving. Listen to what they’re telling you,” she advises.
Then there is the matter of understanding the timetable of government. Scanlon urges nonprofits to be familiar with the cycles of policy planning. Generally speaking, budgets are usually released in the spring, so approach them well before that, preferably in the fall when the process ramps up, in order for your information to be influential and stand a chance of implementation.
Finally, Scanlon suggests that summertime presents a great opportunity for face-to-face contact with policy-makers and politicians. “In the summer, while elected officials are out in their ridings doing the barbeque circuit, that’s a good time to work with your organization’s members and volunteers to engage in some local advocacy in their communities.” Signs indicate the voluntary sector and governments are starting to get the message that increased discourse is needed between them.
Changes on the horizon
According to an Alberta government news release from July 2006, the Alberta Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Initiative (ANVSI) was recently formed in recognition of the growing need for government and the nonprofit sector to “proactively work to build a long term collaborative relationship to strengthen the sector and improve the lives of all Albertans.” They hope to build a framework that outlines how best to do this and submit it to the Minister of Community Development in the province by January 2007. It’s a significant step forward and a good indication that the issue of public policy engagement is now being taken more seriously by both parties.
Key leaders from the voluntary sector as well as provincial ministry representatives have formed a council to “work together to address issues of public policy and regulation,” according to the ANVSI website. Could this be the template that helps nonprofits across the country better engage in public policy processes? Time will tell.
Back to basics
Back in Ottawa, Teri Kirk is V.P. of government relations and public policy at Imagine Canada. She concurs with Speevak-Sladowski’s checklist and adds some insight of her own to this emerging topic, especially with reference to available data for any given issue. The idea being that the more data available, the stronger the argument.
“Look at the evidentiary environment,” Kirk counsels. She then suggests nonprofits ask themselves the following questions: What do we know about this issue? Do we have data [and] is there research available?
“Public policy-makers are quite interested and obliged to look at the data that forms your position on a particular issue. So create an evidentiary environment to support your policy position,” says Kirk. Once that is done, she says, organizations need to follow up with action, preferably with written and oral briefs.
“There’s generally a need for a written brief. Regardless of whether the written brief is presented [to government],” she says. “It could be circulated to different groups to articulate your proposed position [or] asking organizations to comment on or sign-on to [or] presented before standing committees or to ministers and their staff.” According to Kirk, the typical written brief would be about twenty pages or a Powerpoint slide presentation accompanying an oral brief, which should last three or four minutes if it’s presented in front of a standing committee.
Get reading. Get ready.
Despite all this advice and information, Scanlon cautions that there is still a big gap in knowledge about how nonprofits can best go about the business of involvement in public policy. “There’s a lot written on how public policy is developed, but not a lot about how nonprofits can engage with those processes in effective ways,” she admits. “Many nonprofit organizations don’t know how to inject their voice into policy discourse. And because there is no one tried and true method to do that, there isn’t a quick fix.”
But with more studies, intensive preparation and a macro-level approach to public policy understanding and initiatives like ANVSI popping up, there is reason to believe the voluntary sector will make its voice heard ever more effectively in the coming years.
Readings of interest:
Those wanting more in-depth information and recommendations on the subject, should check out the Muttart Foundation‘s recently released 84-page report titled: Improving the Non-Profit, Voluntary and Charitable Sector’s Effectiveness in Influencing Decisions of Government.
Another good resource is the Imagine Canada Resource Guide on Advocacy and Public Policy.
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf is president of WordLaunch professional writing services in Toronto. He can be reached at andy@wordlaunch.com
