Mezzo advocacy is a type of policy advocacy that enables advocates to address seven key problems necessary to change organizations and communities. Mezzo advocacy in a constructive agency is affected by members working as a group to achieve positive organizational goals. A passive agency enhances supportive relationships for its members which allow them to develop each other. Mezzo advocacy in an aggressive organization is affected by individuals focusing on personal needs. Mezzo advocates face different challenges when advancing their policies based on the nature of their organizations.
The constructive nature of an agency impacts the work of mezzo advocacy within an organizational culture in that all members work together with an aim to achieve positive goals. Working as a group enables members to address complex tasks while also realizing their individual potential. Constructive nature of an organization affects mezzo advocacy by members having supportive relationships that enable them to develop each other. Passive nature of an agency influences mezzo advocacy by allowing members to interact without threatening other people’s security (Jansson, 2019). Members also focus on avoiding interpersonal conflict by following rules and procedures without questioning. The aggressive nature of an agency impacts the work of mezzo advocacy within an organizational culture by allowing individuals to focus on personal needs rather than the group’s.
A skill that would be useful in moving decision makers towards acceptance of a mezzo advocacy program in a constructive agency being able to appeal to higher-level goals. In this case one might be required to motivate decision makers in an organization to adopt proposed changes. A skill that would be useful in a passive or defensive organization is being able to showcase how proposed changes do not threaten the security of higher-level organizational members. Advocates in an aggressive organization need to have a skill that enables them to appeal to decision makers’ interests for power and perfectionism.
In conclusion, mezzo advocates face different issues when advancing their policies based on the nature of their organizations. Mezzo advocacy in a constructive agency is promoted by members working together to achieve positive goals. A passive organization also promotes mezzo advocacy by allowing members to support each other. Advocates in an aggressive agency compete to achieve control over other organizational members. Advocates in such an agency would have to appeal to desires for power and perfectionism to enhance acceptance of mezzo problems.
Reference
Jansson, B. S. (2019). Social welfare policy and advocacy: Advancing social justice through eight policy sectors. SAGE Publications.