Developing Real Input into Policy

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                         EXERCISE TWELVE
                Developing Real Input into Policy

Many organizations spend a lot of energy on projects that, even
though successful, aren't satisfying because they haven't
accomplished very much.  Organizations that have had this
experience when trying to solve a community problem sometimes
conclude that they need to try to influence the policies of local
government or other organizations regarding their issue.  But
that can be a difficult task.  This exercise is designed to help
a group succeed at it.

PURPOSE

To increase an organization's influence and effectiveness,
especially at the level of influencing public policy.

          Number of people:        best with at least five
          Time required:           best with about two hours
          Materials:               newsprint, felt pens, tape

PROCESS

1. At the top of a sheet of newsprint, write "Possible ways to
get real citizen input into policy."  Ask the group to call out
ways in which this goal could be implemented, and record the
responses on the newsprint.

2. The resulting list from step 1 will almost certainly contain a
mixture of objectives and methods.  Divide a second sheet of
newsprint with a vertical line and write "Objectives" and
"Methods" at the top of the two columns.  Take each item from
your first list and decide whether it is an objective or a method
(or some of each); write it under the appropriate column(s).  If
there is a method that lacks an objective, write one in the
objectives column, opposite the method.  Similarly, if there is
an objective without a method, write at least one in the
objective column.  You may be able to write more than one; there
is almost always more than one method that can be used to meet a
particular objective.

3. Add additional objectives or methods at any time during or
after the exercise.

4. Decide which objectives should be considered first.  To make
that decision, consider which objectives are least important,
most important, most easily accomplished, and most "win-able."

A straw vote could be taken on each of these questions, and/or on
the basic question: which objective should be considered first?

5. Generate more methods or tactics to achieve the first-priority
objective.  (Step 2 called for you to identify at least one
method per objective.  For the first-priority objective, you will
want to generate additional methods so that you can proceed with
the assurance that you've chosen the best possible method.)
  
THEN:

     þ    Choose the most promising methods and establish an
          overall strategy sequence.

     þ    Summarize these decisions on a "What/How/Who/When
          Worksheet" (attached).  Decide who will take primary
          responsibility for carrying out a particular step and
          who will assist.  You may want to designate one person
          to take overall responsibility for coordinating the
          strategy.  Set deadlines for each step.

     þ    Go to it!








ADAPTED FROM: How to Make Citizen Involvement Work, by Duane
Dale, University of Massachusetts, Citizen Involvement Training
Project, 1978.

Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98