Say Yes to the Ask: How to Talk the Advocacy Talk 1:1 Conversations Workshop

Roadmap: Where We’re Going 1.PSA: conversation model 2.PSA example 3.Conversation dos & don’ts 4.Concrete v. wishy washy asks 5.Getting commitment 6.Practice: overcoming tough objections 7.Using back at home

I want to be part of the action!

Introducing PSA Solution: Hope What specifically & meaningful can be done about? Problem: Anger Action: Opportunity What are they angry about Make the specific & or threatened by? doable ask

Organizing + Mobilizing Solution Organizing & Mobilizing Problem Action Organizing Mobilizing

Organizing Conversations You can’t mobilize her until you’ve organized her! Intentional conversations that go deeply into a person’s:  Issues: What we act on  Interests: What’s our stake in it  Values: Principles, what motivates us Assessment from the conversation:  Capacity: What resources can be offered  Commitment: What resources are offered It’s about building a relationship with her so you can then ask her to take action.

Interests: Why? Why is that particular issue important to this person? Values: Guiding principles Issues: What does this person care about at school? At work? In the larger world? Find Their IIV

Capacity = Skills Commitment = Willingness Assess Their CC

Mobilizing Conversations Organizing + Mobilizing = Change for women! Prompted conversations that make an ask:  Goal: Link person’s issue to AAUW & make specific ask Now that you’ve established a relationship with her, you can make a tailored ask of her that she will actually say “yes” to.

1:1 Conversation Dos & Don’ts Do Schedule time to have this conversation Ask questions and plan to listen Follow the PSA Share experiences and deep motivations Share a vision that articulates a shared set of interests for change Be clear and very concrete about “when” and “what” of the next stepsDon’t Try to persuade rather than listen Chit chat about private interests Skip stories to “get to the point” Miss opportunity to share ideas about how things can change End conversation without clear plan for next steps

1:1 Conversation Asks Concrete Asks “We are having a branch meeting next Thurs. at 8pm. Can you come and help us brainstorm our Equal Pay Day action?” “We’re in the midst of a critical letter to the editor push. We need to get 10 more letters written this week. Can you write an LTE by this Friday? I can send you our LTE guide, sample LTE, and info on where and how to submit it.” Wishy-Washy Asks “Do you want to join our branch?” “Can you write a letter to the editor?”

Getting Commitment RecruitConfirm ActionEvaluate Thank You

Overcoming Tough Objections Exercise

Using 1:1 Conversations at Home If you’re a State Public Policy Chair: Have 1:1 conversations with each of your Branch Public Policy Chairs over next 2-3 months as you prepare for programming If you’re a Branch Public Policy Chair: Identify 3-5 members who may be interested in joining a branch public policy committee and have 1:1 conversations with each of them If you serve on your state or branch board in another capacity: Share this training with your fellow board members and set a goal of each member having 1:1 conversations with 5 members in the next 2- 3 months If you’re a general AAUW member: Have a 1:1 conversation with a prospective member Use the PSA model for every “ask” you make