SE Uplift works closely with neighborhood associations, community groups, and individuals in our 20 neighborhoods to effectively address and respond to issues at the neighborhood, coalition, and city-wide levels. SE Uplift uses our resources and access to decision-makers to amplify coalition priorities and to influence policy, funding, and outcomes.
The SE Uplift Board welcomes advocacy requests from internal sources, like board members, neighborhood groups, or volunteers that bring issues to their attention. They also welcome requests from groups, individuals, or agencies outside our organization that may or may not have any history working with SE Uplift. If an issue aligns with SE Uplift’s mission, it’s likely is a great candidate for the SE Uplift Board to learn more about and potentially take a position on.
Before You Start
The SE Uplift Board prefers that the requestor has taken other action(s) to check in with, or engage affected groups, neighbors, stakeholders prior to making a request. To learn more about how to do this, visit our Advocacy Resources page.
Depending on the nature of the advocacy request, there may be SE Uplift committees that you can bring your request to before going to the board. This is an important part of the advocacy process as the committees have the power to advance recommendations to the board. For example, a board request involving land use and transportation issues should go to the Land Use and Transportation Committee first, then the board would be asked to sign onto any recommended official notices and endorsements of city/county/metro/state policies. To see past letters of support and advocacy taken by the SE Uplift board go here.
Advocacy Process
SE Uplift uses the following process to identify and address advocacy issues
Step 1: Complete our Advocacy Request Form and send it to SE Uplift’s Executive Director.
Step 2: To be considered for inclusion on the board agenda, advocacy requests must be submitted in writing ideally by the 2nd Wednesday of the month, but at least ten (10) days prior to the next SE Uplift board meeting (1st Monday of the month).
Step 3: All requests will be reviewed by the SE Uplift Executive Committee, with the support of the Executive Director, who will use our advocacy process matrix to determine the next steps.
Step 4: Neighbors and groups will be invited to give a presentation/speak in front of the appropriate committee/board or they will be directed to other organizations or resources.
Step 5: A committee/board discussion and/or vote will determine what, if any, actions SE Uplift will take on the issue. SE Uplift reserves the right to not take action. Reasons for this may include:
- There is another group better equipped and situated to address the issue;
- There is not enough evidence of visible neighborhood or community support;
- There are not adequate resources available to address the request;
- The request falls outside our organization’s mission and values;
- There is not adequate time for the request to be heard or requested actions to be taken.