Disclaimer – consider using the Hotlines and Warmlines page on the WUSA Webpage if you are experiencing immediate threats, harassment, or discrimination. To share concerns with us to help inform our work, please use the Incident Reporting Form.

Welcome to your Advocate’s Toolkit

Speaking up for yourself can be tough, but it’s an important skill that helps you get what you need, set boundaries, and create positive change. Whether it’s asking your professor for an extension, addressing a conflict with a roommate, or getting the right support for your well-being, knowing how to communicate your needs makes a big difference. 

This guide will give you practical tips to navigate tricky conversations, express yourself clearly, and feel more confident in handling challenges—both in school and beyond. 

Exploring the Full Guide

Condensed Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is Advocacy
  3. How To Create a Strong Advocacy Plan
  4. Find the Root Cause
  5. Build a Clear Message
  6. Identify Your Audience
  7. Choose Your Methods
  8. Implement Your Plan
  9. Prepare for Obstacles
  10. Prioritize Self-Care
  11. Know Your Resources

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is Advocacy
  • Why it Matters 
  • Types of Advocacy 
  • Why Advocacy is Important 
  1. How To Create a Strong Advocacy Plan
  2. Find The Root Cause
  • Ask the Right Questions 
  • Look for Patterns and Themes 
  • Talk To Others Affected by the Issue 
  • Gather Facts and Data 
  • Set Clear Objectives 
  1. Build a Clear Message
  • How To Make Your Voice Heard 
  • Why Clear Communication is Important 
  • How To Communicate Effectively While Advocating for Change 
  • How Communication Changes for Different Types of Advocacy 
  1. Identify Your Audience
  • Where To Start 
  • Why Relationships Matter 
  • Examples of Key Decision-Makers and Allies 
  • How Relationship-Building Varies for Different Types of Advocacy 
  1. Choose Your Methods
  • How to Prepare for Meetings and Conduct Yourself Professionally 
  • Amplify Your Message 
  • Social Media Strategy 
  • Boothing in the Student Life Centre (SLC) 
  • Know Your Rights and Responsibilities 
  • Prepare for Challenges 
  • Speak Up and Be Heard for Different Types of Advocacy 
  1. Implement Your Plan
  • Put Your Plan Into Action 
  • Keep Track of Your Progress 
  • Look Back and Reflect 
  1. Prepare for Obstacles
  • Overcoming Obstacles and Rejections 
  1. Prioritize Self-Care
  • Don’t Forget About Yourself 
  • What’s Compassion Fatigue? 
  • How to Combat Compassion Fatigue 
  • Advocacy is Different for Everyone 
  • Self-Care for Different Types of Advocacy 
  • Creating a Healthy Advocacy Practice 
  1. Know Your Resources
Colorful abstract shapes with text: "An Advocate's Toolkit - A Step by Step Guide on How To Effectively Advocate.

Understanding Advocacy

Advocacy takes many forms, and each type plays a unique role in empowering individuals and creating positive change. Here are the three main types of advocacy you’ll encounter: 

Self-advocacy icon
Individual Advocacy

This type focuses on advocating for yourself. When you’re directly involved in the situation, your message comes from a place of personal need or impact. Be clear about what you need and why it matters to you. Whether you’re asking for accommodations, a grade reconsideration, or extra time for an assignment, your message is about you. 

Example: If you need extra time on assignments because of a disability, your communication will focus on your individual needs. Be honest, direct, and provide any supporting documents, like a note from your doctor or a request from AccessAbility Services. 

Two people shaking hands with a megaphone icon between them, symbolizing communication or agreement.
Peer Advocacy

Peer advocacy involves standing up for others, offering support, and helping friends navigate challenges. It’s important to communicate their needs clearly and respectfully while staying aligned with their wishes, even if you’re the one doing the talking.  

Example: If a queer friend is experiencing homophobia from a peer in class, it’s important to support them in a way that respects their needs and goals. You could help them fill out the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources (EDI-R) Intake Form to report the incident or offer to accompany them to speak with the professor. You might also connect them with a student organization for additional support. Ultimately, the key is to communicate with your friend and understand how they want to handle the situation.   

Illustration of three diverse people holding megaphones, symbolizing advocacy and raising voices together.
Group Advocacy

Group advocacy is all about collective action; this could range from community activism to campus-wide initiatives. In group advocacy, you’re speaking on behalf of a larger cause, so your message needs to be clear, focused, and unified. It’s all about coordination. Plus, you’ll be engaging with a wider audience, so your message will need to be tailored to different groups (students, faculty, staff). 

 

Example: If you’re part of a campaign for more affordable food options on campus, your communication needs to reflect the collective interest of the group. You might write a petition, organize a rally, or speak at a town hall meeting, always making sure the message is clear: affordable food is something all students need. 

Advocates in Action

Advocacy takes many forms, but at its core, it’s about students making a difference. Hear from those who have turned their voices into action. 

Advocacy means everything to me. It means working to understand and utilize the power I have to make space for others, follow their lead, and empower them to use their voices or speak up for those who lack the capacity and/or power to be heard.

It’s important to remember though that advocacy work comes with systemic power; through my position with WUSA I acknowledge the impacts that my work can have on the wellbeing of students and the betterment of our spaces on campus. In my role in Advocacy at WUSA I am empowered and forever grateful for the privileges I have to help influence a more equitable and safe tomorrow for more people  

Memoji of a smiling person with brown braided hair, freckles, and wide eyes on a black background.Anna
To me, advocacy means creating safe spaces where all voices are valued. At WUSA I’ve seen how supportive initiatives like the Art Hive are for the well-being of students. I’ve been able to observe through conversations and surveys the diverse mental health challenges students face and work towards making sure these needs are met. Advocacy is about making sure every student has access to resources that truly support their well-being. 
Animated emoji of a smiling person with red hair and freckles, on a black background.Emma
Advocacy to me means supporting the needs and wants of others by utilizing my voice and social position. Through analyzing data from students from UW and across Canada about their feelings of safety and mental health, I feel eager and confident in my work to translate findings into actionable steps to improve safety and wellbeing on campus. 
Smiling Memoji of a person with long black hair and earrings, set against a plain white background.Mariam

Advocacy entails integrating the diverse perspectives of our student population to inspire effective, timely, and actionable change that can contribute to meaningful differences in our campus community.  I have found it most meaningful to connect with students via focus groups or hosting booths to turn genuine student feedback and ideas into tangible recommendations that inform advocacy initiatives. Gaining a considerate knowledge into various student perspectives surrounding topics of concern has been a rewarding insight for me that continues to provide a strong foundation for WUSA’s advocacy efforts and toward our student body welfare. 

A smiling female Memoji with long dark hair and earrings.Ashaya

How WUSA Supports Advocacy

WUSA advocates for changes that improve student life, both inside and outside the classroom. We base our work on student feedback, surveys, and discussions with students, like you, to keep our focus on what matters most.

As a large organization, we focus our advocacy on broader student issues, rather than individual cases. When it comes to smaller-scale advocacy projects, we are happy to guide you, whether you’re aiming to shape university policies, raising awareness, or making sure your concerns, like academics, mental health, or student services, are heard and accounted for.

We hope this guide will support your advocacy efforts and connect you with the right resources.

Know Your Resources

Helpful Resources for Advocacy at Waterloo

Navigating university life and advocating for change doesn’t have to be daunting. There are plenty of resources at Waterloo to help you stay informed, get support, and make your voice heard. Here are some of the best resources available for students who want to advocate for themselves and others:

Internal Resources
Student Services
External Resources

Is there something you would like to include? Think we missed? We would love to hear more from you! Reach out to Amrit Khaira, Advocacy Specialist.