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.