Evidence to Influence: Using Data and Stories for Advocacy

Evidence to Influence: Using Data and Stories for Advocacy

October 14th, 2:00-4:30 p.m. ET - Virtual

• Description

  Strong advocacy depends on both evidence and a compelling narrative. This interactive workshop helps participants identify and use organizational data as evidence, uncover the story behind the numbers, and strengthen their message with community impact stories. Through practical exercises and discussion, participants will learn how to combine data and storytelling to create engaging advocacy narratives that engage decision-makers, influence policy, and inspire action. Participants will leave with tools and strategies to communicate their organization's impact with clarity, credibility, and purpose.

  Workshop Outline

  Effective advocacy requires both evidence and a compelling narrative. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore how to use organizational data and community stories together to create compelling, credible, and persuasive advocacy messages.

  Through guided discussion and small group exercises, participants will identify the data their organization already collects, from service statistics and client outcomes to community needs assessments and survey results and consider how this information can serve as evidence for advocacy efforts. We will then explore how to bring that data to life through storytelling, using lived experiences, case examples, and community voices to illustrate the human impact behind the numbers.

  Participants will learn how to:

  • Identify existing organizational data that can strengthen advocacy efforts
  • Extract key insights and build a clear data story
  • Connect quantitative evidence with qualitative stories and lived experience
  • Develop compelling narratives that resonate with decision-makers, funders, and community stakeholders
  • Communicate advocacy messages with confidence and impact

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of the workshop, participants will have the tools to transform data and stories into a powerful advocacy narrative that informs, inspires, and drives action.

  By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Identify data that can be leveraged for advocacy.
• Transform data into meaningful and accessible stories.
• Connect evidence with community impact stories.
• Build compelling advocacy narratives for different audiences.
• Communicate key messages that inspire understanding and action.
• Hear from others in the archivist sector about their advocacy work and/or aspirations.
• Identify possible areas for collaboration.

Rishia Burke BPHE, MA

Rishia brings more than 35 years of experience in community development, working across neighbourhoods, social planning, and health and social services. She is passionate about bringing people together across sectors to identify community strengths, responding to local needs, and building inclusive communities where everyone can find belonging. 

Working alongside community partners, Rishia has been part of the development of a local coalition that advocates for the nonprofit sector in her community.

Through her leadership at Community Development Halton, Rishia has championed equity-focused research, community engagement, and partnerships that drive social change. 

Zoom link will be shared with registrants the day before the workshop.