Advocacy. Kilpatrick (2000) defines advocacy “as attempting to influence public policy through education, lobbying, or political pressure” (para. 4). Likewise, Kilpatrick considers that advocacy groups operate to affect public policy by educating the public at large along with “public policy makers about the nature of problems, what legislation is needed to address problems, and the funding required to provide services or conduct research” (para. 4).

Public Policy. As defined by Kilpatrick (2000) public policy is “a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its representatives” (para. 1).

The Andrews University Leadership Department advances a set of leadership competencies, which require students to have “theoretical knowledge and practical application” within a set of “core [leadership] competencies” of which the “leadership through organizations” is one group of competencies (Leadership Handbook, 2011, p. 36).

​The third group of leadership competencies addresses “the organizational aspects of leadership. Leadership sets direction in ways that facilitate achievement of organizational goals” (Leadership Handbook, 2011, p. 36). Regarding the competency of legal and policy issues, “Leadership applies and understands the scope of a legal and policy structure appropriate for their field” (Leadership Handbook, 2011, p. 36).

​In my reflection paper, I will, first, investigate legal and policy matters associated with the incorporation of nonprofit organization (NPO) in the State of Georgia, its subsequent legal operations, and policy development. Second, I will consider how I/we have applied these academic understandings to the work of The Matzevah Foundation (TMF) in how we amended the by-laws of TMF, adopted a code of conduct, and developed our public policies along with the challenges that we faced as a NPO in their implementation. Third, I will apply my learning to the role of TMF in shaping public policy through its mission in its educational programs and its Jewish cemetery restoration projects in Poland. 

Please find below, the documents, photographs, certificates, etc.that best represent and illustrate the artifacts, verifications, and / or evaluations that I have generated and received related to Competency ​3b: Legal and Policy Issues​.

​In this competency, I have learned about theoretical research constructs regarding legal and policies issues along with their practical application to my work in leading The Matzevah Foundation, Inc.

PLEASE NOTE: You may access each file by clicking on the link. The document will open into a new window for your review. You may download and save the file or print if you wish.

You may read my reflection paper by following the link for ​​Competency ​3b: Legal and Policy Issues. It is also available below for you to view or download.

Use the rubric on the ParticipantHub - Steven Reece to guide you in reaching your score for the desired level of competence.