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Advocacy

Advocacy

We understand the importance of having a strong voice in the legislative process to advocate for policies that support and advance the counseling profession and the well-being of the people and communities we serve. That's why WVCA has now joined forces with the West Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors Association (WVLPCA) to present a united front to the West Virginia legislature, led by experienced lobbyist Juliet "Julie" Terry.

By working together, our goal is to ensure that the interests and concerns of all counselors across West Virginia are heard and addressed at the state level. Julie brings a wealth of experience and tenacity that allows her to provide strategic guidance and advocacy on key legislative issues that are impacting or have the potential to impact our profession. This collaboration between WVCA and WVLPCA strengthens our ability to influence policy decisions, protect our professional interests, and promote the well-being of those we serve.

Membership fees help make this robust legislative representation possible! As such, members get the added benefits of being able to provide input on the legislative issues of concern to them, participating in advocacy efforts, receiving periodic updates on legislative changes and initiatives directly from the lobbyist, and knowing that their membership in WVCA contributes to a powerful, collective voice advocating for counselors in West Virginia.

What about advocacy at the national level?

See what's happening nationally by visiting ACA's Advocacy page.

Lobbyist Juliet "Julie" Terry (left) with WVCA President Dr. Kari Mika-Lude (right)

How to Get Involved in Advocacy

Legislative advocacy is vital to the future of counseling. In addition to joining WVCA and getting involved with our Legislative/Advocacy Committee (and we hope you will!), there are plenty of things you can do to affect change and make a positive impact. The American Counseling Association provides an Advocacy Action Toolkit that provides information on how to engage and effectively communicate with legislators, how build a case for your issue(s), and other tips for being an effective advocate. Here are some of the highlights:

Advocacy Tips

Identify your goal: Before you begin advocating for a cause, it's important to clearly identify your goal. What change do you want to see? What outcome are you working towards? Having a specific goal in mind will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.
Know your audience: Understanding your audience is key to effective advocacy. Who are you trying to influence? What motivates them? What are their concerns and priorities? By tailoring your message to your audience, you can make it more persuasive and compelling.
Build relationships: Building relationships with key stakeholders can help you create a network of support for your cause. This might include elected officials, community leaders and other organizations working on similar issues. By working together, you can amplify your message and build momentum for change.
Use multiple channels: Advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different audiences may respond better to different tactics, such as social media, email campaigns, phone calls or in-person meetings. By using multiple channels, you can reach a wider audience and increase your impact.
Be persistent: Advocacy can be a long and challenging process, but persistence is key to success. Don't be discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Keep pushing forward, continue to build relationships, engage your audience and refine your message.
Measure your impact: Finally, it's important to measure your impact and evaluate your advocacy efforts. This can help you identify what's working well and what areas need improvement. By tracking your progress, you can make data-driven decisions and adjust your strategy as needed to achieve your goals.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Advocating for a cause can be a powerful way to effect change, but it's important to approach it with care to avoid common mistakes. Here are some tips:

Educate yourself: Make sure you have a good understanding of the issue you are advocating for. Do your research and gather facts and evidence to support your position.
Know your audience: Tailor your message to your audience. Consider their values, beliefs and concerns when crafting your message.
Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon and complex language that might confuse or turn off your audience. Use simple and clear language to convey your message effectively.
Focus on solutions: Offer concrete solutions to the problem you are advocating for. Explain how your proposed solutions will benefit your audience and make a positive impact.
Avoid personal attacks: Stay focused on the issue and avoid attacking individuals. Personal attacks can undermine your credibility and distract from the issue at hand.
Be respectful: Show respect for those who disagree with you. Listen to their perspectives and engage in constructive dialogue.
Stay positive: Focus on positive outcomes and inspire others to take action. Avoid using fear or negativity to motivate others.
Lead by example: Model the behavior you want others to adopt. Show that you’re committed to the cause and are willing to take action.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes when advocating and increase your chances of success.

For the complete Advocacy Toolkit, visit ACA's website. In addition to the Toolkit, there is also a Legislative Advocacy Resource Guide for school counselors, an advocacy guide for graduate students, and a variety of other advocacy resources, some of which are available to the public and others that are only available to ACA members.