Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 30. Principles of Advocacy >
         Section 4. Recognizing Allies >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Recognizing Allies

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Eric Wadud Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz

Tools

Tool 1: Community resource inventory for recognizing allies
Tool 2: Potential allies risks vs. benefits exercise
Tool 3: Ally power grid

Checklist

Tools


Tool 1: Community resource inventory for recognizing allies

Completing this table will help you determine who your allies might be for your advocacy campaign and what they are doing, or could be doing, about the issue.

Community resource inventory for recognizing allies

Sources of Allies

Potential Allies

What Are They Doing? (or what could they be doing on the issue?)

Contacted?

Who is already working on the issue in your community?




      

Possible other allies based on general information sources:

     

Yellow pages

      

Social service Directory

     

Neighborhood assistance groups

     

Chamber of Commerce

     

City Hall

     

Members of your own group, colleagues and friends

     

Others

     


     


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Tool 2: Potential allies risks vs. benefits exercise

This table will help you recognize the risks and benefits each potential ally faces when considering joining your group. Knowing these is important when contacting potential allies to join you.

Example: Allies' Risks vs. Benefits Exercise. The following table shows how a group of people who organized to reduce school violence might go about determining who cares about their issue.

The Problem: Increasing violence between students at Happy Valley High School. Your group wants to hire a security guard as a part of a program to reduce violence at the school.

Ask yourself

Examples

What are the benefits?
What do they gain if you win?

What are the risks?

Whose problem is it?

Students

  • Safer schools
  • A better learning environment.

Stricter rules/codes at school-less freedom

 

Teachers

  • Safety for themselves and students
  • Increased job satisfaction

Might get blamed for stricter rules

 

Parents

  • Children are safe
  • Better education for their children

Might lead to a tax increase

Other financial costs?

 

Local education board

  • Increased community support

May be expensive, which might decrease political support, especially if the program is not successful.


Potential Allies Risks vs. Benefits Exercise

Ask yourself

Examples

What are the benefits?--What do they gain if you win?

What are the risks? --What might they lose?

Whose problem is it?

     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     


     


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Tool 3: Ally power grid

This table will help clarify the power(s) a potential ally may bring to your group, and thereby help identify which allies will are the most valuable to your group

Type of Power

Power Appraisal: Do they have a lot of it or not?

Give an Example

Members: How many members does the group have?

    

Money: Will they donate money to your issue?

    

Credibility: Do they bring special credibility?

    

Appeal: Do they have special appeal?


    

Network: Are they part of a large, organized network?

    

Reputation: Do they have a reputation for toughness?

    

Skills: Do they have special skills?


    

Newsworthy: Are they particularly newsworthy?

    

Other:

   


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Checklist

Here, you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.


___You understand what allies are.

___You know why you need allies.

___You know how to find allies.


You know how to conduct an "ally search" in:

___Community resource inventory/directory

___Yellow pages

___Local social service directory

___Neighborhood assistance services

___Chamber of commerce

___City hall

___Your group members, friends, colleagues


___You know if you and your allies care about the same things

___You know to consider your allies' risks vs. benefits

___You know which allies you should contact first

___Contact Your Allies


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