What exactly is establishing formal communications and requesting participation? ___You establish formal communications and request participation by developing a structured, "official" connection with an organization or individual who can be a valuable ally in your advocacy effort, and asking for participation in a way likely to be successful. Why establish formal communications and request participation? You establish formal communications because: ___It's the only way you can approach some people and organizations. ___It shows respect for the integrity of the other party's procedure. ___It acknowledges the other as an equal partner. ___It points up the importance of the other party's potential contribution, and makes apparent that you really want their help. ___It establishes a relationship, and acknowledges that you might have something to offer each other. ___Establishing formal communications means that a channel is always open, and a certain amount and type of communication becomes automatic. You formally request participation because: ___You need all the help you can get. ___It's necessary to assure the participation of those who are key to the effort. ___It's important to enlist as many of the people and organizations concerned with the issue as you can, in order to show solidarity for the effort. ___A coordinated effort is much stronger than a haphazard one. ___You're asking not just for a single action, but for a commitment to an effort that might take a long time. ___Establishing communications and requesting participation can head off turf issues and ego problems that can quickly derail an advocacy effort. ___Even when they're in total agreement with what you're doing, people and organizations like to be asked to join. ___Getting as many partners as possible on board early creates a sense of trust and common purpose that can propel the effort through difficult times. ___Requesting participation early, rather than only when the effort needs to be strengthened or when the final push is on, creates buy-in. With whom should you establish formal communications to request participation? You establish formal communications with and request participation from: ___Legislators and other political figures. ___Other initiatives and advocates with similar goals. ___Professional associations. ___Experts in the field. ___Human service and other organizations that work on the issue. ___Community activists. ___Influential citizens and groups. ___Media people and outlets. ___Public services, agencies, and institutions. ___The target population. When should you establish formal communications and request participation? You establish formal communications and request participation: ___As early as possible. ___At the beginning of a legislative advocacy campaign. ___In the planning stage of an advocacy campaign. ___When you're trying to build momentum. ___When your campaign has taken off. How do you establish formal communications and request participation? ___You begin by following basic communication guidelines: Use language your audience will understand. Be respectful. Build trust. Stress your areas of agreement. Be culturally sensitive. Keep communication lines open. To establish formal communications: ___You determine just what "formal communications" means for a particular individual or group and acting accordingly.
