Tips for Solutions Based Advocacy

My wife Vickie Cammack is clear – our work at PLAN and in social innovation generally cannot succumb to 'either – or' thinking.  Instead she has infused a practice of, 'both – and'.  A paradox to be sure but one … Read More

One of the first strategic decisions to make when advancing your cause is to 'cut your issue'.  Cutting an issue means being specific about what you will ask Government to do or what you want to see changed.  There are … Read More

Laura Bush has a new book out, Spoken From the Heart and she reveals herself to be more complex than we observed when she lived at the White House. She appears as a passionate advocate for a number of causes, … Read More

What happens when a political leader has lost his/her credibility or moral authority? When a leader is so far down in the polls there are rumours about a leadership change?  Prevailing wisdom suggests in these circumstances the politicians are so … Read More

The Cabinet Minister you have an appointment with may: love flying; play the trumpet in a marching band; volunteer building homes in South America; or have just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer. They may even keep a letter of resignation … Read More

I am encountering more and more people who are frustrated with our current elected political leadership (either federal or provincial) and are considering 'downing tools' and abandoning any effort to make contact with those Governments including contacts with Cabinet Ministers.  … Read More

This Mother's Day video will make you laugh, and smile.  And appreciate an effective 'get your attention' strategy.  You can put it in your tools for Solution Based Advocacy kit.  Only 90 seconds! See below or click here. Happy Mother's … Read More

What do you do when the organization, government department or institution you want to influence completely ignores you, your organization and the cause, you represent?  No matter how hard you try, your efforts are met with silence, inaction, and stalling. … Read More

While campaigning for the closure of institutions in British Columbia in the 1980's we created a team that was effective in getting media attention as a means to put pressure on our provincial government.  Through trial and error we arrived … Read More

On my last day in London I came away with a portrait of one of my heroes, Thomas Clarkson, one of the most successful community organizers and social entrepreneurs of all time. In 1787 he was the youngest  among 12 … Read More