Advocacy and Community Organizing

Advocacy for sustainability policy requires strategy, not just passion. The power mapping exercise identifies who has decision-making authority (city council, planning commission, utility board), who influences them (major donors, business associations, neighborhood groups), and where you have existing relationships. The theory of change connects your desired outcome to specific actions: if you want a building performance standard, you need a city council vote, which requires a majority of council members, which requires constituent pressure, which requires a coalition of affected stakeholders. Working backward from the goal to the actions creates a clear campaign roadmap.