November 2024: ROC Monthly Mastermind Call
Maximizing Impact: The Power of Strategic Advocacy and Building Influence with Nikki Soda
Maximizing Impact: The Power of Strategic Advocacy and Building Influence
“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” - Lily Tomlin
Thanks to our good friend, Nikki Soda, from Sodas Consulting, for joining this month's Mastermind meeting. Our meeting was about unpacking the essentials of advocacy, understanding its impact, and learning actionable steps to start or strengthen advocacy efforts within your organization.
View Recording:
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If you weren’t able to attend, here’s a quick recap of what we covered:
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is more than a single action—it’s an ongoing process to achieve specific, meaningful outcomes. It spans all levels of engagement, from local to international, and involves educating others, creating change, bringing awareness, and sharing stories that resonate with stakeholders.
Core Elements of Effective Advocacy
Educate: Informing stakeholders and the public about critical issues.
Create Change: Pushing for policy adjustments that lead to impactful results.
Bring Awareness: Amplifying attention to critical challenges in the field.
Share Our Story: Using personal and organizational narratives to highlight the importance of your cause.
Characteristics of a Strong Advocacy Initiative
Focus on a clear, achievable policy solution.
Be based on honest and transparent policy analysis.
Enhance your organization’s reputation.
Foster coalition development and partnerships.
Incorporate public advocacy and uphold social responsibility.
Show strong internal leadership that champions these efforts.
Taking the First Steps
Getting started with advocacy doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some initial actions to consider:
Access Policymakers: Build relationships with key decision-makers in your area.
Facility Visits and Events: Invite policymakers and stakeholders to tour your facility to understand your mission and work better.
Attend and Host Networking Opportunities: Engage with local organizations and communities by attending or hosting events that strengthen your presence and connections.
Lobbying
Lobbying is generally defined as any attempt to influence a politician or public official on an issue. This practice can be broken down into two main types:
Direct Lobbying: Any attempt to influence new or existing legislation through communication with a legislative body member or a government representative who has a say in the legislative process.
Grassroots Lobbying: Engaging the general public to contact their legislators or mobilizing public support around a legislative issue. Organizations, including nonprofits, can encourage their members to contact government agencies or legislators regarding policy changes. Examples include online petitions, distributing flyers, and organizing public demonstrations or rallies.
Taking the First Steps:
Getting started with advocacy doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some initial actions to consider:
Access Policymakers: Build relationships with key decision-makers in your area.
Facility Visits and Events: Invite policymakers and stakeholders to tour your facility to understand your mission and work better.
Attend and Host Networking Opportunities: Engage with local organizations and communities by attending or hosting events that strengthen your presence and connections.
By incorporating these strategies, your organization can make meaningful strides in advocating for change, building essential relationships, and positioning itself as a leader in the industry.
Thank you, Nikki, for leading us in this insightful conversation!
Nikki Soda
Executive Director, Soda Consulting
(303) 550-9982
https://sodasconsulting.com
Nikki Soda is a highly accomplished advocate and strategic marketer with a strong background in the behavioral health field. She possesses an MS in Addiction Policy from Georgetown University and has amassed over 10 years of experience in this domain.
Passionate about advocacy and public policy, Nikki actively engages in local and national initiatives to make a meaningful impact. Currently the Executive Director of Soda’s Consulting, she utilizes her addiction policy knowledge to help treatment centers get involved in public policy. Recently serving as the Director of Membership and State
Advocacy for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), she leverages and consults her expertise to lead productive discussions with industry leaders and conducts comprehensive tours of treatment centers nationwide. Through these experiences, she has gained a profound understanding of the substance use disorder treatment landscape.
Nikki has excelled in various leadership roles, including Director of Business Development and Marketing for renowned treatment facilities. In addition, she has overseen multiple alumni programs while currently serving as co-president for the board of the Treatment Professionals and Alumni Services (TPAS). Her diverse responsibilities including creating and managing a treatment center start-up, have honed her skills in admissions, policy development, procedure implementation, and business growth.
As a result, Nikki has built an impressive reputation and is frequently sought after for client placement recommendations and policy guidance. With a wealth of knowledge acquired from working on both the front end and back end of treatment, Nikki possesses a deep understanding of systems and outcome tracking. She is eager to share her wealth of experience and collaborate with new teams, always putting patient and client care at the forefront.