Interest Group Brochure Project Major grade!

Structure-Main parts: Brochure, Article summaries, Article copies and source list Tri fold Preferably computer generated and printed May use construction paper but all text must be typed Typed article summaries may be on the same page but NOT on the brochure Attach copies of the actual articles to the article summary sheet Also include a typed list of sources Website Fact-finding sites like opensecrets.org, fec.gov, etc. May need to contact group to get information if not readily available on website (use contact information/date/time/reply/etc. as a source)

Grade Content (5 per bullet)----45 points Do not copy and paste from websites!!!! Put in your own words Use bullets! Headings (9 total)----5 points 2 typed articles with summaries----20 Grammar/spelling ----10 Neatness/Creativity----20 Use pictures/appropriate spacing/unique features Font size design

History This should be easiest to find! Basic information When did it start? Why did it start? Significant changes? Growth, mergers, renaming, etc.

Major Legislative success or defeats Acts of Congress Presidential activity (executive orders? Recommendations?) Court decisions Electoral results Can use state level successes or defeats Minimum of TWO If you don’t think other students would be familiar, give a BRIEF explanation

Issues What is the group’s focus? What is their MISSION? Give specifics AAA represents motorists. (too vague) AAA represents motorists by supporting ….give examples

Resources At least 4 Lobbying (look for code words like government liason, advocacy) Litigation (lawsuits) Membership fees and benefits (what do members get? Why is this considered a resource?) Voter guides? Election activities? Social media? Website? Magazines or newsletters? Grassroots activities?

Characteristics (at least 3) This is the group’s PROFILE # of members Demographics of its membership Funding or budget information (“Show me the money!”)

Leadership and Organization Leadership: Chair? President? CEO? Do not list the whole committee, board of directors, etc. Really just need ONE person Organization Structure? Is it web only? National only? National with chapters? If yes, how many chapters, where located?

PAC Support (most commonly missed points) If your interest group does NOT have a PAC, state that on your brochure. DO NOT leave PAC support off because your group doesn’t have a PAC. Double check the PAC---they may have one but it is under another name. (see open secrets or FEC) Even if they do not have a PAC, if they did…who would they support? What type of candidate? Why? For those that do have a PAC----who do they support? Give examples of contributions or other forms of support.

Opposition Groups (another area of commonly missed points) DO NOT PUT “DOES NOT HAVE ONE” Think outside the box if needed. May not have a specifically named interest group but a segment of the population… AAA---Who would be opposed to this group? Low gas prices? No “speed traps” in small towns?

Conclusion---this can be a paragraph Based on your research, analyze the state of political power this group has in the American political system. Have they been more successful? Less successful? Why? Explain. What does the future hold for your group?