From Service Learning 101
"In advocacy, students work to create
wide-spread, sustainable action around a particular issue. Advocacy
activities may include writing letters to elected officials, petitioning
to repeal or add laws, or representing the needs of a group who
cannot speak for themselves."
Advocacy and Character Education
Advocacy is closely linked with the Seven
Virtues of Character Education. These three are paramount
in connection with Advocacy,
Caring: Showing a genuine
interest or concern in the fate of others
Civic Virtue & Citizenship: Putting values
into action to make the world a better place for everyone.
Justice & Fairness:
Being able to express the difference between right and wrong
while being ready to stand up for yourself and others.
By taking on the role of advocate, students
move up the ladder of personal involvement, taking a proactive
stance for an issue that concerns the community.
In the sections that follow you will find many Service Learning
Project ideas in the NYSSLLI approved format.
Three Advocacy areas to start with...
Environmental Advocacy Issues
dealing with pollution and natural resources
Energy Advocacy Some of the
most profound issues of our time
Social Justice Advocacy Issues
that still need to be defended, even today
Please note: Grant Monies for Service Learning
projects may not be used for lobbying purposes. A project crosses
the line of advocacy to lobbying when monies are spent to influence
the outcome of a particular vote. For example using grant money
to pay for the postage and production of letters of support for
a particular bill in congress would constitute lobbying. While producing
a flyer alerting voters to both sides of an issue in a local election
would not be lobbying as long as it did not ask the public to vote
a certain way. If you have questions regarding a particular advocacy
project, please contact your NYSSLLI coordinator prior to starting
the project.
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