Community Mapping for Engagement

Agenda Introductions What are we trying to do in our communities? What makes a rich group experience? Who cares about what we are doing, anyway? Mapping connections Engaging through conversation Leading with action to inspire Resources What are your take aways and next steps

Introductions Name City What inspires you to advocate (one sentence) One thing you want to get out of today’s webinar (4 words)

What are we Trying to Do with Mapping and Outreach?

5 Building the Pyramid Grasstops: community leaders with political clout and/or connections Local RESULTS Group: mobilizes members, action network, grasstops to create political will RESULTS Local Action Network: Group of people the local RESULTS group can mobilize to take actions like write letters, make phone calls, attend townhalls, or meet with members of Congress and staff. They can be individuals, or other organizations We’ve been focused this year on building parts of our community pyramids. Through community mapping you might folks who could fit into any one of these area—be open to that. RESULTS National Webinar

What are we Trying to Do with Mapping and Outreach? How many people there are in your community that care about poverty in the US? How many people are there in your community that care about Global Poverty?

There are all kinds of people There is a group for EVERYTHING! Playing cards, horses, mushrooms, biking, books, poetry, herbal medicine, travel, gardening… Why shouldn’t we be the conveners of the people who care about making a difference on poverty?

What are we trying to do? Our job isn’t necessarily to start from scratch in convincing people they should care and do something about poverty (though we can do that too). Mapping and outreach is mostly about bringing the people together who already care, and making sure they have a rich experience.

What keeps people coming back?

What keeps people coming back? Depends on the person, but these seem to be important: Meaningful action A place to use one’s talents Learning something Feeding an interest Relationship Fun

Mapping Connections Examples? Your Group members Friends, Family, Neighbors, Colleagues, Groups you are part of, church, doctor, etc. Community organizations you may have connections to through Friends, Family, etc. Mapping Connections Examples? People you might connect with through technology: Facebook, LinkedIn, Volunteer Match, MeetUp

1. US: How do we find them exercise Who is concerned about healthcare reform? Who cares about healthcare in general? Who is studying issues related to US poverty? Who is serving people living in poverty? Who is living in poverty? Who cares about the welfare of children? Whose values call them to address poverty? Who is interested in government? US Poverty: Take 2 minutes to jot down some ideas, create your list. Can you think of other useful questions

1. Global: How do we find them exercise Who is interested in international issues? Who has lived in or visited developing nations? Who is studying international issues? Who is working in developing nations? Who cares about maternal and child health Who cares about vaccinations and diseases? Who cares about child education? Whose values call them to address poverty? Who is interested in government? Take 2 minutes to jot down some ideas. Can you think of other useful questions Can you see how you might start getting a sense of the various entities in your community who might care?

Your Group members Friends, Family, Neighbors, Colleagues, Groups you are part of, church, doctor, etc. Community organizations you may have connections to through Friends, Family, etc. Mapping Connections Who in our group has connections to some of the folks on our list we generated? Who among our friends, family, neighbors, colleagues has connections to these groups or individual? Who has connections to a faith community? Who has connections to healthcare Who is an educator? People you might connect with through technology: Facebook, LinkedIn, Volunteer Match, MeetUp

2. Who has connects exercise Who in the RESULTS group has connections to people or organizations on our list? Who in my network of friends, neighbors, colleagues, associates, acquaintances might have connections to people or organizations on my list? Take 2 minutes to jot down who might have connections to people on your lists

3. Have some conversations What might we say to… Give us some examples of people on your list to reach out to. Pick one and Take a minute and think about what you’d say to them. Start by thinking about their interests and Our discussion of what keeps them coming bakc Who would like to model a conversation

3. Sample communications Hi Sue, My name is Ken Patterson and I’m with an organization called RESULTS. We train people to advocate on US and global poverty issues in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity. I’m going to be in Pittsburgh on 10/2 as we have a couple of volunteer advocates I’ll be meeting with. I’m wondering if you’d have some time that day to meet and talk about the work of the Interfaith Impact Network, and how our goals may align. Our belief is that creating “political will” is the best bet for addressing issues of poverty, so we train people to shape policy and influence political decision affecting these issues.   So far this year our volunteers have organized over 800 meetings with members of Congress and staff on our issues. It makes a difference. Would you have time to meet on 10/2? Best, Ken Give us some examples of people on your list to reach out to.

3. Sample communications Engage: Seems like a lot more people are interested in getting involved in politics these days. You noticing that? Problem: There is a of work to do on poverty, and it’s clear that policies have a lot to do with it how many experience poverty. Inform on the Solution: I’ve told you about RESULTS right? It’s a pretty amazing organization—I’ve learned a lot about shaping policies on poverty through advocacy. It really makes a difference. Call to Action: We’re looking for more advocates to build our group and network. Would you be interested in taking an action that would make a difference on poverty? Call to Action 2: Any people in your circles that you think would care about this? We find folks in faith communities seem to care, people who have experienced poverty first, educators, and others. Give us some examples of people on your list to reach out to. For me, I’m thinking I need to talk to my neighbors—a couple recently retired and moved to Asheville. He used to manage a lab.

Try leading with action Let me explain to you what this ice cream tastes like… Most people who chose advocacy because they want to advocate or learn to advocate. Let’s give them the experience

Resources Most people who chose advocacy because they want to advocate.

Resources Most people who chose advocacy because they want to advocate.

Take Aways and Next Steps Most people who chose advocacy because they want to advocate.