External Relations as an Advocacy Strategy
August 19 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
$35 – $45
Date & Time:
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
1–2 PM Eastern | 10–11 AM Pacific
Format:
Live Workshop
Available On Demand (August 21, 2025–August 19, 2026)
Price:
ASA Member Rate: $35*
Non-member Rate: $45*
Certificates & Credits:
Continuing Education credits are not available for this course. We will offer a Certificate of Attendance.
A yearly ASA membership is $275 for individuals and $100 for retired professionals & students. ASA also offers Organizational Membership. Learn more about membership here.
*This course is non-refundable.
Description:
Effective advocacy starts with the belief that meaningful change happens when institutions build informed, strategic relationships with those in power. To do this well, advocates must first understand the structures and processes that shape public policy—how decisions are made at the local, state and federal levels, and who holds the authority to act. This civic grounding empowers organizations to navigate complex systems and identify the right moments for engagement. From there, power mapping becomes an essential tool: by analyzing networks of influence, understanding stakeholders’ motivations, and pinpointing leverage points, advocates can align their efforts with the priorities of elected officials and community leaders. This strategic approach transforms external relations into a powerful force for advancing mission-driven goals and creating lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will learn to explain the structures and decision-making processes of local, state, and federal government systems to identify where and how public policy is shaped.
- Attendees will learn to apply power-mapping techniques to analyze networks of influence, stakeholder motivations, and leverage points relevant to an organization’s advocacy goals.
- Attendees will develop a strategic external relations plan that aligns institutional priorities with the interests of policymakers and community leaders to advance mission-driven change.
On Aging Institute Faculty:
Holly M. Davis is a nonprofit and public policy leader with extensive experience in advocacy, strategic program development, and philanthropic leadership. With a strong background in civic engagement and coalition-building, she has guided organizations in crafting effective programs, advancing policy initiatives, and fostering leadership in diverse sectors. As vice president of External Relations at Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Davis designed and facilitated the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute, a premier leadership development program engaging cross-sector speakers and policy experts. She directed programming for CASE@Campus, tailoring professional development training for higher education institutions, led the PAC and government affairs for homebuilders associations in Seattle and Austin, and has served as the executive director of the nonprofits Center for Women and Democracy, Indiana Leadership Forum, and Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.
Who should attend this session:
- Mid- to senior-level nonprofit professionals responsible for advocacy, policy, communications or external affairs.
- Mission-driven organizations that want to integrate advocacy more strategically into their work.
- Government affairs or public policy staff at aging service organizations, health nonprofits, and human service agencies.
- Program managers or community organizers seeking to strengthen their understanding of policy influence and external stakeholder engagement.
- Emerging leaders in advocacy roles who are building a civic and systems knowledge base.
- Professionals working in sectors like aging services, healthcare, housing, or social justice—where policy and systems change are essential to achieving mission impact.