Advocacy Program

Policies and Program Specific Training

This volunteer position reports to the Advocacy Program Attorney. Volunteers should work with their supervisor to schedule and complete all appropriate training sessions.

While HRI wants to advocate change, we are not a political lobby.  We expect our Advocacy Volunteers to present knowledgeable and compassionate arguments for the human rights cause.  Advocacy Volunteers are ambassadors of HRI and the human rights cause and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and friendly manner when contacting the public and pertinent organizations.  As always, volunteers should never disclose sensitive information about our clients to the public.

Community Outreach (A2-B)

Community Outreach includes contacting agencies, organizations and other groups to inform them about HRI, gather information about their services and possibly build a relationship between the two.  Building relationships with the community is important because it helps HRI provide services and referrals to clients.  Community Outreach volunteers are expected to present materials in a professional and friendly manner.  Volunteers are encouraged to use all appropriate and available resources to identify relevant agencies, organizations, and ethnic community associations.

When contact is made with a new organization or individual, the Community Outreach Volunteer should relay the information to an HRI representative so that we may keep our contact information up-to-date.  This update can include reactions of the contacted party, a perception of how well the information was received, what services the party needs or can provide, and whether the party would like a continued relationship with HRI.

Speakers (A2-C)

There are two types of volunteer speakers: those who speak generally about human rights issues and those who talk specifically about HRI.  All volunteers who choose to advocate for human rights or for HRI in this capacity should feel comfortable speaking in front of large groups and should possess excellent communication skills.  Volunteers are encouraged to participate in organizations, such as Toastmasters International, that provide ongoing training for public speakers. 

Volunteers who are speaking generally about human rights usually already have an audience in mind, be it a school class, or a group with whom they are affiliated.  These speakers should pick a topic that they or the group feel strongly about, educate themselves on the issues and determine ahead of time the length and format of the presentation.  These volunteers can mention HRI at the end of their presentation and give a general description of our services.

Volunteers who are speaking specifically about HRI must have completed previous assignments for HRI and must work closely with their supervisors to ensure that they are comfortable in their knowledge so that they may answer any questions that are posed.  Volunteers in this position are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the HRI website, policies, key contacts, and upcoming or recent events.  These volunteers should also educate themselves on current events worldwide that could affect our clients.

All volunteer speakers should always be prepared for the speaking engagement, arrive a few minutes early to get comfortable with the audience, bring plenty of informational material to distribute, and have some way to collect information from participants (whether it is pen and paper or a pda).  If a representative of HRI was not present at the event, Volunteer Speakers should contact HRI as soon as possible after a speaking engagement to let us know how the event went and what information was received (new contact information about interested organizations and individuals, or other information from the community that can help HRI achieve its mission).

Author Position Papers (A2-D)

Volunteers in this position assist HRI in authoring position papers on certain immigration and human rights issues that are related to the agency's mission.  These volunteers are expected to possess excellent research and written communication skills, including proper grammar, compelling storytelling, and the ability to reach out to the audience . 

Due diligence should be employed to ensure that information and arguments presented in Position Papers are factual and verifiable.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

When the volunteer has completed the Position Paper, he or she must provide a draft to the supervisor for approval and revision.  Please be aware that draft Position Papers written for HRI are the property of HRI and may be sent on for publication or utilized for other purposes. 

Administrative Support (A2-A)

Volunteers working in this capacity conduct research on human rights issues and global affairs, as well as pending state and national legislation.  Volunteers are encouraged to learn what drivers are influencing human rights abuses in a particular country.  This could include the country's history, political climate, and religious and ethnic makeup.  If applicable, volunteers should understand legal terminology or seek clarification from an HRI representative so that updates regarding legislation are clear.

Depending on the assignment or project, volunteers assisting the Advocacy Attorney may be called upon to take or make phone calls to obtain research or contacts necessary to advance HRI's mission and should possess strong verbal and written communication skills.  Volunteers are encouraged to communicate with the volunteer coordinator or their supervisor if they feel that additional training is needed in order for them to successfully complete the assignment.