Presenting Proposals

To Prepare:

Review Chapter 9 of the Jansson text. Focus on “Combative Persuasion in Step 5 and Step 6.”

Develop a list of strategies you can use to persuade others who might not share the same concerns about your issues or your policy proposals.

Develop a list of talking points for defending your Social Advocacy Proposal. Consider the following areas of your proposal:

Identification of the problem

Overview of existing policy

History of existing policy

Policy impacts on populations

Plan for social advocacy, or goals for change

Consider the audience for your Social Advocacy Proposal.

Through which group or legislative process did the original policy receive approval?

How has the group or process changed since the original policy was approved?

Assignment:

Post in which you communicate the needs of vulnerable populations to policymakers who may not share your views about the need for services. Include:

Hook: Introduce yourself using professional disclosure. How do any personal facts about you or your audience relate to the policy and impact? This can help grab your audience’s attention.

Describe the Problem: Present the problem and issues with the current policy that attempts to address the problem. Explain the impact on specific populations. You might even recount a specific story of someone adversely impacted by the problem, and explain how the policy as it exists does not help them.

Call to Action: Inspire your audience to support your goals for change. Why should they care?