Space of Advocacy

The Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) cultivates a Space of Advocacy that is intentional, equity-centered, and grounded in shared responsibility. Our advocacy spaces, whether at the Capitol, during trainings, or within delegation cohorts, are Brave Spaces: environments where students are encouraged to engage honestly, take risks, and grow, while remaining accountable to one another.

This space reflects our belief that how we advocate is just as important as what we advocate for.

What We Mean by a Brave Space

A Brave Space acknowledges that advocacy, especially around equity and justice, can involve discomfort, disagreement, and learning through tension. Rather than avoiding these moments, we approach them with care, humility, and responsibility.

In LAC’s Brave Spaces:

• Participants are encouraged to speak honestly and thoughtfully.

• Discomfort is not equated with harm, but harm is taken seriously.

• Growth is expected, supported, and facilitated.

• Accountability is collective, not punitive.
  
  

Brave Spaces allow us to engage deeply while maintaining trust, dignity, and safety for all participants.

Our Commitments to the Space

The Space of Advocacy is guided by the following commitments:

• Equity before access
  We recognize that access alone is insufficient without intentional efforts to address systemic inequities.

• Learning over perfection
  Advocacy is a practice. Mistakes are part of learning, and growth is expected.

• Collective care and accountability
  We hold ourselves and one another accountable with care, especially across differences in identity, power, and experience.

• Student voice as expertise
  Students’ lived experiences are central to our advocacy work.

Community Agreements (Brave Space Principles)

All participants in LAC-facilitated advocacy spaces are expected to uphold the following community agreements:

1. Engage with Courage and Care

We show up willing to speak, listen, and learn—even when conversations are challenging. Courage and care must coexist.

2. Center Lived Experience

We recognize lived experience as a form of expertise, particularly for students from historically marginalized communities.

3. Speak from the “I”

We speak from our own perspectives and experiences, avoiding assumptions or generalizations about others.

4. Embrace Productive Discomfort

Discomfort can be a sign of learning. We remain open to growth while being attentive to harm and impact.

5. Accountability without Punishment

When harm occurs, we focus on repair, reflection, and learning rather than blame or exclusion.

6. Honor Confidentiality and Trust

Personal stories shared in advocacy spaces remain within the space unless consent is given to share them.

Our Learning & Professional Development Approach

LAC advocacy programs follow a curricular and developmental model designed to prepare students to engage in Brave Spaces while navigating professional policy environments.

Advocacy as a Skillset

Students receive training in:

• Legislative process and institutional power

• Policy analysis and issue framing

• Storytelling and values-based advocacy

• Professional communication and conduct

• Coalition-building and relational advocacy
  
  

Scaffolded Learning in a Brave Space

Participants progress through:

1. Foundational learning (policy context, advocacy norms)

2. Skill-building workshops (messaging, meetings, professionalism)

3. Applied practice (Lobby Days, conferences, legislative meetings)

4. Reflection and growth (debriefs, feedback, self-assessment)

A Shared Responsibility

The Space of Advocacy is a shared commitment. By participating in LAC programs, students agree to engage in advocacy that is brave, reflective, and equity-driven, and to uphold the integrity of the space for others.

This is how we develop advocates who are not only effective, but ethical, prepared, and community-rooted.