Volunteer Center Advocacy

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is an umbrella term, and involves identifying, embracing and promoting a cause. Only some methods of advocacy are considered lobbying.

What is Lobbying?

Lobbying is a specific form of advocacy, intended to influence specific legislation or legislative proposals.

Volunteer Centers have the ability to create social change through lobbying and advocacy. However, there is often confusion about the rules and regulations regarding lobbying that prompt people to shy away from public policy activities. The following resources provide information regarding the rules, regulations, as well as how and why your group should advocate for volunteerism, volunteer centers and the Volunteer Investment Grant.

• Nonprofit Advocacy - A Michigan Primer
• Information about Nonprofit Lobbying and Advocacy

Legislative Meeting Toolkit

By following the action steps below, set up meetings with the Representative(s) and Senator(s) from your area.

• Action Step #1- Locate your Representative(s) and Senator(s) and their contact information. Use the following links to locate your legislators:
  • Michigan House of Representatives
  • Michigan Senate (click on "Find Your Senator" on the left-hand side).
• Action Step #2- Personalize the Legislative Meeting Request letter.
• Action Step #3- One month prior to the date you'll be in Lansing, fax the personalized letter to the appropriate offices.
• Action Step #4- The following week, call the offices (talking points available here) and request a meeting for the date you'll be in Lansing.

Questions? Call 517-492-2400 and ask to speak with someone from the Public Policy department.