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Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 30. Principles of Advocacy >
         Section 5. Identifying Opponents >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Identifying Opponents

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Eric Wadud Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz

Tools

Tool 1: Worksheet for identifying potential opponents
Tool 2: Worksheet for Recognizing Your Opponent's Power

Checklist

Tools

Tool 1: Worksheet for identifying potential opponents

Completing this table will help you determine who might oppose your advocacy campaign and what they have at stake. This is an important first step to developing strategies for your advocacy campaign.

Example: Violence has been increasing between students at Happy Valley High School. Your group wants to implement a youth education program, along with hiring a security guard and an extra counselor trained in conflict resolution.


Ask yourself... Potential Opponents What might they lose if you win?
Who might lose something if you win? Taxpayers Assoc. Money--higher taxes.
Chamber of Commerce Image-recognition of the problem may give the community a bad reputation
Students Respect, dignity
School Admin Staff Loss of image for the school


Worksheet for Identifying Potential Opponents

Ask yourself...

Potential Opponents

What might they lose if you win?

Who might lose something if you win?

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

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Tool 2: Worksheet for Recognizing Your Opponent's Power

This table will not only help you recognize what power your opponents have, but also how they might use that power against you.

Example: How can you determine the potential powers of possible opponents to a group wanting to ban transporting chemical waste through their community? Just fill in the table.

Potential opponent

What's at stake for them?

Power the opponent has

Potential strategies your opponent may use

Casey Jones' Rail Transport Co.

Money (very expensive to re-route trains)

Jobs

They have lots of financial and legal resources

Strong lobbying group

Tie you up in a long, costly legal battle

Karl's Carcinogens, Inc.

Money

Time

Jobs

Financial resources

Newsworthy(major regional employer)

Credibility-Several scientist "experts" who say their products aren't "that toxic"

Try to portray your group as extremists to the media


Worksheet for Recognizing Your Opponent's Power -- Potential Strategies

Potential Opponent

What's at stake for them?

Power the opponent has

Potential strategies your opponent may use

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       


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Checklists

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


___You know why it is important to identify your opponents

___You know how to identify your opponents

___You know how to discover what your opponents might lose

___You know how to determine your opponents' power


You can recognize the following tactics your opponents may use:

___Deflect

___Delay

___Deny

___Discount

___Deceive

___Divide

___Dulcify

___Discredit

___Destroy

___Deal

___Surrender


You know how to use the following tactics to deal with your opponents:

___Prevention

___Meeting with opponents

___Develop win-win solutions

___Turn negatives into positives

___Label your opponents' tactics

___Frame the debate on your terms

___Balance and illusion

___Consider your opponents psychology

___Turn your opponents' assets into liabilities

___Concentrate strengths against weaknesses

___Know when to negotiate


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