Advocacy may be simply defined as arguing for a cause, often on behalf of others. Arguments may be written or expressed orally, and sometimes they must be developed reasonably quickly. Advocacy is on its strongest ground when it is based on a hierarchy of instruments used as official expressions of Society views. The principal instruments are Society policies, general statements of principle about resource topics that explain and justify the Society's perspective or attitude in largely philosophical terms. Policies are reviewed and approved by the membership and have a long life span, perhaps 10-20 years.
Position statements are specific stands on specific issues.
They are prepared by experts, scientifically documented, and rigorously reviewed. Legislative briefing statements are specific stands on specific items of legislation. They are developed and approved like position statements, with which they must be consistent. Resolutions are issue statements that are peer-reviewed by committees and approved by members at an official Society or subunit meeting. Position statements, legislative briefing statements, and resolutions become void when the issues they address become moot.