What do we mean by developing a proposal for change? ___A proposal for change is a plan (or sometimes just a group of suggestions) for addressing a situation, an issue, or a condition of importance to the community. A proposal for change might take the form of: ___An intervention or series of interventions. ___Legislative language or legislation. ___Funding or other resources to expand existing services. ___A long-range strategic plan. Why develop a proposal for change? ___You're more credible and in a stronger position if you can offer solutions to a problem, rather than merely pointing out what's wrong. ___You almost undoubtedly know more about the issue, the field, and the community than policy makers do. ___You can draw on local people and resources that policy makers wouldn't think to consult or use. ___You establish your group as the authority on the issue. ___You have an investment in the community that policy makers don't have. ___If you develop the proposal yourself, you know it will include everything you believe is necessary to meet the needs of the community. ___Presenting your own proposal helps to educate the public to appropriate avenues for change, and can enlist them as advocates. ___If the proposal is generated locally, especially if it's developed through a participatory process, it gives the community ownership of it. ___Your proposal defines the issue and frames the debate about it. Who should develop a proposal for change? ___All stakeholders. ___Community activists. ___Local officials. ___Community members and groups who'll be indirectly affected. ___Researchers and experts in the field. ___Policy makers. When should you develop a proposal for change? ___At the beginning of an advocacy campaign. ___At the start of a legislative campaign. ___When there's an obvious problem, but no obvious solution. ___When policy makers or funders have indicated that they're about to address an issue or a particular area. ___When potentially bad solutions are being proposed. ___During, or leading up to, an election. ___When the public, or a segment of the public, wants a problem solved or an issue attended to. How do you develop a proposal for change? ___Assemble a team to develop it ___Do your research ___Analyze the issue ___Develop your proposal ___Create a plan for maintaining change ___Present and advocate for the proposal
