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   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 30. Principles of Advocacy >
         Section 6. Encouraging Involvement of Potential Opponents as... >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Encouraging Involvement of Potential Opponents as well as Allies

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Eric Wadud and Bill Berkowitz

Tools
Checklist

Tools

Tool #1: Collaboration Self-Assessment

This is a worksheet to help guide your collaboration efforts with your opponents, adapted from materials from the Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development at the University of Kansas.

Collaboration Self-Assessment

Your Group
yes
no
Colaborator
yes
no
Problem Setting
1. Common definition of problem

a. The parties define the problem in overlapping terms?

b. The definition of the problem is sufficiently broad to incorporate the interests of the opponents?

c. Outcomes are rooted in interdependence?

   

a. Is your definition included?

b. Can you reach your goals with the others?

   
2. Parties are committed to collaborate

a. Does the present situation fail to serve each party's interest?

b. Will collaboration produce positive outcomes?

c. Is it is possible to reach a fair agreement?

d. Is there parity among the opponents?

e. Will all sides agree to collaborate?

   

a. Does the present situation fail to serve my interests?

b. Will collaboration produce positive outcomes for me?

c. Is an agreement possible that is fair to me?

d. Am I an equal player?

e. Will the other side agree to collaborate?

   
3. Opponents are identified

a. Those who have a right or capacity to participate, have important expertise , or can disrupt the process have been identified.

b. Have disputes about legitimacy been settled? Is the process open?

c. Size and manageability of group have been determined.

d. Levels of participation have been determined?

e. Groups have internal legitimacy.

f. Are the interests of those not at the table represented by those who are?

   

a . I am affected by the problem, have the capacity to participate, have important expertise or can disrupt the process.

b. I view the others as legitimate stakeholders.

c. The size of the group allows my active participation.

d. I will participate at an appropriate level.

e. My group has consensus.

   
4. Convenor is appropriate

a. Is there an already existing umbrella organization?

b. Can the convenor bring opponents to the table?

c. Does the convenor have a reputation of trust?

d. Is the convenor an unbiased expert on the problem?

e. Does the convenor have appropriate skills?

f. Is (s)he perceived as having authority to organize collaboration?

g. Does (s)he have a vision of purpose and appreciates collaboration?

h. Can (s)he create and sustain a process of bringing opponents together?

   

a . I will meet with the convenor.

b. I trust the convenor.

c. I believe the convenor has appropriate skills and no bias.

d. I agree with the vision of purpose and collaborative process.

e. I will work with the convenor.

   
5. Resources have been identified and are adequate

a. Are resources available?

b. Can adequate resources to allow everyone to participate equally be secured?

    a . I have available resources.    
Direction Setting
1. Ground rules have been established

a. All parties are involved in outlining acceptable and unacceptable behavior?

b. Do all parties agree on ground rules?

   

a. I was involved in developing ground rules.

b. I agree to abide by the ground rules.

   
2. Agenda is set

a. Does the agenda reflect the interests of all parties?

b. Are there rules for adding or deleting items of special concern?

   

a. The agenda reflect my interests.

b. I am able to influence the agenda.

   
3. Subgroups are formed if necessary

a. Should subgroups be formed to address distinct issues (particularly if more than enough people are available)?

b. Is membership on subgroups diverse enough to get a wide range of input?

    a . I will work with a subgroup.    
4. Information is sought jointly

a. Parties agree on facts supporting problem definition?

b. Parties search for facts together?

c. Parties mutually examination data?

d. Technical experts and expert witnesses are used for controversial issues?

   

a . I agree with the facts supporting problem definition.

b. I worked with others to find the facts.

c. I examined the facts with others.

   
5. Multiple options are explored

a. Multiple options have been explored before choosing alternatives?

b. Are subgroups used to examine options more closely?

c. If appropriate, are outside experts used to generate options?

    a. I have examined multiple options.    
6. Reaching final agreement
a. Are all parties committed to a single option or package of options?     a. I am committed to the final option(s).    
Implementation
1. Dealing with constituencies
a. Do opponents' constituencies understand rationale for tradeoffs and support agreement?    

a. Does my constituency understand the rationale for tradeoffs?

b. Does my constituency support the agreement?

   
2. Do those needed to implement agreement support it?
      a. I support the agreement and will implement it if necessary.    
3. Extent of effort is determined

a. Is a structure in place to permit a gradual institutionalization of the agreement reached?

b. Are there long-term structures to support collective effort?

c. Is there an ongoing forum for future problem-solving?

d. Is there a framework for regulating the group's efforts?

         
4. Compliance is monitored

a. Are the opponents following though with the agreements?

b. Are opportunities available to work through cultural differences, historical conflicts and other barriers to implementation?

c. Are monitoring responsibilities clearly spelled out?

d. Are sanctions needed?

         

 

Option A: How would you use this information to become an effective collaborator ?

Option B: How would you use this information to ensure more effective collaboration ?


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Checklist

Here you will find a checklist summarizing the major points of the section.


___You understand that involving opponents can help you (and them) in unexpected ways.


You understand reasons why you should want to involve an opponent:

___To remove or neutralize a potentially harmful critic.

___To gain insight into the workings of your opponent.

___To gain access to a group that has previously been closed to you.

___To acquire new resources to solve a common problem.

___To find common values and beliefs you didn't know were there.

___To get to know your opponents as people.

___To build a base of trust that might be helpful in to you in the future.

___To help you make progress.


You understand when you should involve opponents:

___When the lines of communication are still relatively open, and you believe your opponent is willing to talk with you.

___When you see common values and opportunities.

___When the cost of getting involved with each other is not too great.


You understand when you shouldn't involve your opponents:

___When there is a history of distrust or deception between you and your opponent .

___When your respective positions are strongly held, deeply entrenched, and completely opposed to each other.

___When your opponents are unwilling to talk with you.

___When the time and energy costs in collaborating with your opponent would be too great.


You understand how to involve opponents:

___You have decided that you want to involve them.

___You have narrowed your targets.

___You have clarified your goals.

___You have made the commitment.

___You have identified the stakeholders.

___You have made contact with your opponent.

___You have established ground rules.

___You have set an agenda.

___You have organized subgroups.

___You have searched for information.

___You have found a mediator.

___You have involved other stakeholders.

___You have held an exploratory meeting.

___You have met again.

___You understand the twelve "talking points."

___You have closed the deal.

___You have sold the deal to your supporters, other stakeholders, and the general public.

___You have structured the agreement.

___You have monitored the agreement.


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