1. November 17, 2014 Objective: Students will identify the purpose of interest groups in order to create their own interest group through a collage. Warm Up: Turn in your HW in the GREEN Bin 1. What is the main GOAL of a political party? Homework: - Finish Today’s Assignment

2. Political Interest Groups Political Parties Comparing Political Parties & Interest Groups Goal = win elections to control govt. Purpose Choose a political party when you register to vote How to Become a Member? Democrats, Republicans, Green, Examples attempt to control government Affect on Government

3. Political interest Groups

4. What are Interest Groups?Interest Groups? * Definition: groups that influence govt. to make decisions that help its members - Nickname = “ Special Interest Groups ” - Concerned with a few specific issues - Members must pay to belong * Interest Group’s Goals: (1) Convince the GOVT. to help interest group’s members (2) Educate public about issues

5. Lobbying * Definition: actions that attempt to influence govt. actions ( what interest groups do ) - Lobbyists = People who “lobby” Lobbyists * Goal of Lobbying: Want govt. to make policies pleasing to the wishes of a specific interest groupGoal * Lobbying Techniques: (1) Email/letters/Phone calls: used on policymakers & members (2) Use Media—commercials, print & internet ads: used on policymakers & normal people Media (3) Directly speak with a policymaker What does Lobbying Look Like?

6. Scenario: What Would You Do? The Maryland General Assembly recently passed a law that says students will attend school all year with 3 short vacations (2 weeks long) spread throughout the year. How could you use the following lobbying strategies to fight this new government policy? (1) Who would you Email, Call, Write to? (2) How would you use the Media ? (3) Who would you want to talk to in person ?

7. American Civil Liberties Union Help all Americans4. Public-Interest National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Help People who face discrimination 3. Civil Rights GreenpeaceHelp Environment2. Environmental US Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO (a labor union) Help Businesses & Workers 1. Economic ExampleGoalsType of Interest Group

8. Political Interest Groups Political Parties Comparing Political Parties & Interest Groups Goal = PERSUADE the govt. to pass laws to help its members Goal = win elections in order to control government Purpose pay to join Choose a political party when you register to vote How to Become member? N ational O rganization of W omen (NOW); Greenpeace Democrats, Republicans, Socialist, Green, Communist Examples attempt to convince the government to make helpful policies attempt to control government Affect on Government

9. Practice Multiple Choice Question Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group? A. to influence government officials regarding specific issues B. to form legislative committees that study public policy C. to regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates D. to select cases for hearing in appeals courts

10. Political Interest Groups Political Parties Comparing Political Parties & Interest Groups Purpose How to Become member? Examples Affect on Government