Together SC seeks to harness the collective power of its member organizations who are advancing the greater good through public policy and advocacy efforts by establishing an Advocacy Allies program to facilitate peer to peer engagement.

Purpose:

 1. To help Advocacy Allies participants learn together and address the unique challenges and operating concerns that advocacy organizations face.

2. To help advance state legislators’ understanding of the nonprofit sector and issues of importance.

3. To engage philanthropic partners in collaborative advocacy efforts.

Year One Objectives:

1. Organize November and June gatherings for Advocacy Allies to learn together and address legislative and policy issues

2. Host periodic zoom calls for Advocacy Allies to provide peer to peer sharing of knowledge and expertise

3. Begin Inventorying and sharing tools and resources

4. Engage leaders of nonprofit subsector advocacy efforts

5. Provide input into and offer support for Together SC’s public policy priorities

6. Offer Advocacy Allies opportunities to build relations with state elected officials. Research engaging with SC Legislative Caucuses – starting with the Women’s Luncheon (Katrina Sheally)

 Leadership Structure:

• Each year Together SC will invite a diverse team of experienced advocacy professionals to help lead the Advocacy Allies. They will be responsible for planning the November and June gatherings, leading communication efforts (Zoom calls), and providing overall direction for the Advocacy Allies program.
• They may be invited to represent the sector by attending key advocacy events together with Together SC as the opportunity arises.
•  They will be asked to participate in periodic planning calls and an annual planning meeting. Together SC will aim to fully staff Advocacy Allies efforts.

Participation and Investment:

• The initial priority will be to engage Together SC’s nonprofit and philanthropic member organizations who undertake significant state level public policy and advocacy work.
• Outreach will focus on senior level professional staff responsible for state level policy work.  Questions will be used to help participants determine fit.  (use to begin to creating inventory)
• There will be no charge to belong in year one.

2019-20 Advocacy Allies Steering Group Members

• Bernie Mazyck, SC Association for Community Economic Development (Charleston)
  
• GP McLeer, South Carolina Arts Alliance (Fountain Inn)
•  Jamie Moon, Institute for Child Success (Greenville), Chair
• Chynna A. Phillips, Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC (Columbia)
  
• Amy Splittgerber, Healthy Learners (Columbia)
  
• John Tynan, Conservation Voters of South Carolina (Columbia)
• Ann Warner, Women's Rights and Empowerment Network, WREN (Columbia)

Upcoming Dates:

• Jan 10, 2020 Zoom Call – Review bills pre-filed for session / identify priority issues for the session. Review schedule for Days at the Capital. Lobbyists possible invitees.

• March 13, 2020 Zoom Call

•  May 15, 2020 Zoom Call

•  June 18, 2020 Gathering - At Sisters of Charity Foundation

• Nov / Dec 2020 Gathering - Recognize legislative champions / Welcome newly elected legislators