In this section, you will find Advocacy Planning Resources incuding toolkits, checklist and more to help your organization strategically influence policy change at any level

Advocacy on the Agenda: Preparing Voluntary Boards for Public Policy Participation
A Volunteer Canada publication that provides an overview of the public policy process, and information to help your Board make an informed decision about getting involved in public policy. The manual also include practical information about how to get involved in policy issues.

Be H.I.P.P: Have Influence on Public Policy. A Manual and Toolkit on How Voluntary Organizations Can Influence Public Policy (Manual and E-Learning Module)
An online manual and 2-hour e-learning module aimed at helping voluntary sector leaders increase their understanding of the structure, processes, priorities and key players of local, provincial and federal governments and provides tools for developing and influencing public policy strategy.

Make Your Voice Count www.projectvoice.ca
Although this site focuses on health policy, it provides a wealth of tools and resources for any voluntary sector organization seeking to influence public policy. Tools include a risk and opportunity assessment tool, guide to collaborative processes, framework for collaboration, guide to developing your policy strategy, and action plan worksheets.

Participating in Federal Public Policy: A Guide for the Voluntary Sector
A guide from Human Resources Development Canada and the Capacity Joint Table of the Voluntary Sector Initiative that is useful for organizations that do not have government relations staff. Topics include: questions for to help develop a public policy strategy, tips for building your organization's policy capacity; working with Members of Parliament and public servants; media and public relations; and examples of policy issues.

Voluntary Sector Public Policy Toolbox
A an online guide from Ontario-based Ginsler & Associates Inc. that covers policy development, information on collaborating, tools and techniques, case studies and tips for government relations.

Communicating with Your MP: A How to Kit for Voluntary Organizations
A kit created by the Voluntary Sector Roundtable that is a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide that offers check lists for meetings and presentations, ideas for shaping your message to be more appealing, and a ‘big picture’ context to help position your organization’s issues within those of the sector as a whole. Note: Some of the references do not reflect the recent change in government.

Action for Change: A Workbook for Communities
A workbook that describes how people can work together on a community issue. Includes various steps towards developing an action plan to address a specific issue. Includes case studies from British Columbia.

Capacity Building: Linking Community Experience to Public Policy
A resource that provides ideas about how to understand the public policy process, build capacities to link community experience to public policy, and influence public policy.

The Citizen's Handbook
An online resource designed primarily for grassroots and community groups offers practical ‘how to’ sections, tip sheets and links to full-text articles, including this practical table of pros and cons for an array of strategies for engaging stakeholders and the public

What Works! Putting Community Issues on the Policy Agenda.
A resource kit filled with eight “best practice” stories and tips from community groups working to get their issues on the government agenda. The stories range from family violence to injury prevention to youth sexuality. Several address cultural and language issues

A Practical Guide to Consensus- Abbreviated Version

An abbreviated version of A Practical Guide to Consensus that is a step-by-step handbook describing the stages of sponsoring, organizing, and participating in a public policy consensus process.