Lobbying is one form of advocacy, comprising efforts to influence specific legislation with legislators and their staff.
Advocacy covers a much broader range of activities such as influencing executive branch actions to implement the laws and public education.
One way of differentiating between the two terms is to understand that lobbying always involves advocacy but advocacy does not necessarily involve lobbying.
Provide resources, toolkits, and trainings for members
Research-based content submission
Campaign, e.g., write op-eds, run social media campaigns
Write position and policy statements
Participate in coalitions (ACE; WHES)
Meet with government officials
Participate in and organize public sessions
Letter and position statement sign-ons
Lobby and work to pass legislation
Set up meetings with government officials for members
Organize and lead coalitions
The Advocacy Advisory Committee takes the lead in identifying core issues for the profession; educates members regarding legislative and/or regulatory matters that may impact the profession; and advocates before governmental officials and the public for outcomes that best support the interests of NACE members and the profession. This includes issues of equity and inclusion in higher education, the workplace, and workforce development.
The Advocacy Advisory Committee considers issues of importance and advises on such issues to the membership. The committee ensures the association is appropriately representing the membership in legislative affairs and determines appropriate ways to communicate on behalf of and to the membership. Where needed, the committee will evaluate, and if appropriate, recommend positions and/or action on significant unanticipated issues brought by the membership.
Learn more about NACE's advocacy priorities for higher ed and employment policies, legislation, and regulations.
Pell Grants
Increased support for two-year colleges
Internships
Classroom to Careers Act
College Transparency Act
DACA Legislative Solution
International Student Status and Processing
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Pay Equity
NACE has prioritized issues for its advocacy efforts.
When developing advocacy goals for 2021-22, the NACE Advocacy Advisory Committee focused its efforts on DEI and the changing demographic of high school graduates.
The College Transparency Act of 2017—an amendment to the HEA—would establish a federal system for combining outcomes data from multiple federal databases.