Establishing Formal Communications and Requesting Participation

1. Establishing Formal Communications and Requesting Participation

2. What exactly is establishing formal communications and requesting participation? • Establishing formal communications and requesting participation means developing a structured, "official" connection with an organization or individual that can be a valuable ally in your advocacy effort, and asking for participation in a way likely to be successful.

3. 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.

4. Why establish formal communications and request participation? (cont.) • 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.

5. Why establish formal communications and request participation? (cont.) • 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.

6. With whom should you establish formal communications to request participation? • 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.

7. When should 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.

8. How do you establish formal communications and request participation? • 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.

9. To establish formal communications: • To establish formal communications: • Determine just what "formal communications" means for a particular individual or group and act accordingly. • Approach your target personally, if you can. • Be persistent.

10. To request participation: • To request participation: • Make your request in person, if you can. • Be clear about who you are, what your effort and its goals are about, and what you're asking of the person or organization. • Let them know that you value their participation, and why. • Let them know why it's in their interest to participate. • Leave doors open for the individual or organization to think about participation, or to join later if they don't feel comfortable doing so now. • Maintain communication whether the other party chooses to participate or not.