Advocacy Corp, Presented by Maureen Roche

University of Nebraska at Kearney Student

In this session, we talked about ways to collaborate with agencies within our communities and organizations on our campus. I learned that it’s important to:

• Be prepared with information, cards and ways that potential partners can help you and ways you can help them
• Always try at least twice
• Learn about the organizations in your community and on your campus
• Try all organizations

I will take a better attitude back to my Campus Kitchen, knowing that some organizations that seem hesitant or ones that we question their ability to help, may lead to great, unique collaborations that can benefit the Campus Kitchen.

University of Nebraska at Kearney Student

The session highlighted the different ways that CKP can advocate – getting the word out about our organization, bills and laws. We also talked about what not to do and how to approach lawmakers. Taking ideas of awareness back to campus and how to change laws in Nebraska (especially laws affecting people getting government services). Nebraska law requires people receiving governmental help attend learning sessions during the day which last 2-3 hours. The problem is that they have to miss work or skip the learning session and loose their assistance.

Veronica, Marquette University

We discussed “what is advocacy” and learned basic skills about how to advocate appropriately. Then we practices what we learned with the Feeding America’s Families Act of 2007 as an example. I learned what advocacy is and the difference between advocacy and lobbying. I also learned what I can do and how I can make a difference by advocating. I will bring back advocacy skills to use if an issue arises as well also the best ways to contact people by using advocacy.