why a campaign plan?. a problem exists that requires a policy solution/strategy often, there exist...
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A Problem Exists that Requires a Policy Solution/Strategy
•Often, there exist MANY strategies to solve a single problem.
•An advocacy approach requires a policy strategy which is supported by a campaign plan.
Developing a Strategy
• Strategy: an approach to making a government or corporate official do something in the pubic interest that he or she does not otherwise wish to do.
• It is about the relationship of power between you and the official.
The Midwest Academy ModelDIRECT ACTION ORGANIZATION
• Lends itself both to overall campaign strategy and to planning of specific tactics such as a public hearing .
• It poses the necessary questions in a logical order and moves people through the planning process step-by-step.
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Goals
• Long-term Goals– The goals you eventually hope to win.
• Intermediate Issue Goals– The goals you hope to win in this campaign.
• Short-term Issue Goals– These goals are steps toward your
intermediate goals.
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Organizational Assessment
• Resources to put in campaign.
• What do we want to get out of campaign?
• Internal problems to be solved.
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Constituents, Allies & Opponents
• Who cares about the issue?
• What do they stand to win or lose?
• What power do they have?
• How are they organized?
• The difference between constituents and allies is that constituents are potential members of your organization, while allies are not.
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Decision Makers (Targets)
• Primary Decision Makers– A person with the power to give you what you
want.– Always a person with a name.
• Secondary Targets– A person who has more power over the
primary decision maker than you do, but whom you have more power over than you have other the primary decision maker.
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Tactics• Steps to carrying out your overall plan.
• Specific things that the people do to the people in the “Targets” column to put pressure on them.
• When you list tactics, write down who will do what and to whom.
• ALWAYS FILLED OUT LAST!
Sample Tactics(Activities)
• Media hits• Letter writing, op-eds• Meet with editorial boards• Visits with pubic officials in their districts• Postcard campaign• Obtain support from key campaign
contributors• Make your issue an issue in the next
election
• Petition drive
• Email alerts
• Local hearings
• Rallies
• Lobby Days
• Tie in with Cause Initiatives
Sample Tactics(Activities)
Timelines
• To finish the planning process, make timelines for the campaign.
• Indicate start and completion dates.
• Include all major campaign events and deadlines for preparing the publicity for each.
• Include key dates in the electoral and legislative processes.
Accountability
• Individuals responsible for tactics must meet regularly–May be internal staff as well as
external partners• Report on progress• Reassess tactics• Reassess timeline• Hold each other accountable for
what we say we are going to do
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want
Bonus Material! CoalitionsB
Coalitions
In real life, a coalition is a mixture of individuals, representatives of organizations and people who happen to belong to organizations but were not sent by the group.
Coalitions
Disadvantages of coalitions:• Get sidetracked from your own program• Others don’t do their share• Too many compromises required• Problems with who got “credit”• We felt ripped off• The activities were too dull/too confrontational• Too many meetings.
Coalitions
Advantages of coalitions:
• Able to win something that could not be won alone
• Increases power
• Increases resources (staff, $, members)
• Broadens the scope of your work
Coalitions
Participating in Coalitions:• Know what you want to get out of it• Get agreement on rules• Maintain an independent program• Evaluate your role carefully• A coalition is rarely the road to diversity• Make sure you can have continuity of
representatives
Coalitions
When considering potential coalition partners:
• Why would they join?
• What might prevent them from joining?
• What resources would they bring?
• What liabilities would they bring?
• How should you approach them?
Building the Plan
Goals Internal &ExternalIssues
ConstituentsAllies &
Opposition
Targets Tactics
Ultimately, the
change we are
seeking
Resources needed/ available, internal barriers
Who supports us,
who is against us
Who is in a position to
give us what we
want
What will be done to
convince the targets to
give us what we want