Advocacy

“Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group which aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research. Lobbying is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue which plays a significant role in modern politics.” Wikipedia

“CFUW encourages its members to use their expertise to bring about change, with particular reference to women’s issues such as violence against women, early learning and child care, education, economic prosperity and the empowerment of women as leaders and decision-makers.” CFUW website

CFUW Ontario Council’s Advocacy Team

• CFUW OC President: Sandy Thomson
• CFUW OC Advocacy Advisor: Teri Shaw
• Education Standing Committee Chair: Kathy Wosnick
• Legislation Standing Committee Chair: Isobel Boyle
• Status of Women & Human Rights Standing Committee Chair: Anne Cordon
• Policy Advisors:
  • Water: Carolynn Day
  • Early Learning & Child Care: Margaret McGovern
  • Poverty:

CFUW Guidelines for Advocacy

• There is a hierarchy of interaction between CFUW Clubs, Councils and National and their respective levels of government. Clubs, Councils and National CFUW each write to elected officials within their specific jurisdiction.
  • CFUW Ontario Council works on a Provincial level for the adoption and implementation of provincial agreements, communicating with the Premier and Executive Council of Ontario
  • Local clubs communicate with their local elected officials and local MPs and MPPs, but not with the Prime Minister, Premier, or Cabinet Ministers, unless they are the local MP or MPP. Dealing with your local MPs and MPPs is what creates momentum and has the potential to add to the pressure.
    • If a club writes or speaks “on behalf of CFUW” to ask for some action, it must be based on CFUW policy as found in the CFUW Policy Book. When there is no policy, letters may be written asking for information only – “Our club is studying …”
    • Letters must be sent out under the signature of the club President, or designated member of the executive, on club letterhead. The club President or designated member of the executive committee should have the support and authorization of her executive.
    • If a club wishes to contact an official outside of their community, they should first consult the club, Regional Director or Ontario Council President.
  • Individual club members are encouraged to write to any politician on any issue about which she has a concern. She may use information from CFUW sources, but she may not write “on behalf of CFUW”, or use CFUW letterhead.

• Information on Issues
• Current CFUW Ontario Council Advocacy Actions 
• Advocacy tools and resources.