Before you plan out the details of your campaign, you may need to fill gaps in your knowledge:
___You don't need to know everything, but a good understanding of the issue is essential
___It is important not only to know the facts, but to understand the beliefs of the people you serve, and of your opponents. It is also important to know how they came to those beliefs
A thorough understanding of the issue will help you to:
___Convince your members the issue is important
___Persuade allies to join your cause
___Understand your opponents
___Be precise in your planning
___Educate the public
You will need to know:
___How people in different segments of the community feel about the issue
___What makes the opponents tick
___What it will take for the political structure of the community to make and/or accept change
The information you need will probably be of two types:
___General background information
___Specific information about the issue as it affects your community
Getting general information to educate yourselves about the issue:
___May involve working in libraries
___May involve surfing on the Web
___May involve digging in archives, annual reports, and yearbooks
___May involve recruiting experts
Gathering information about the issue as it affects your own community may involve:
___Using media archives
___Using City Hall archives
___Getting information from local business interests
You can fill in the gaps by getting information from:
___Community leaders
___Representatives of the business community
___Educators (i.e. school board members, or school principals)
If you need more information about the thoughts and feelings of local residents, you can make a start with:
___Surveys
___Focus groups
___Guided discussions