MOBILIZING COMMUNITY SUPPORTCECC Annual Institute

March 15, 2013

WHY COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION?

Because your CECC has the power to…..

Become involved in new and broader issues Demonstrate and develop widespread public

support for the issue Maximize the power of individuals and groups for

join action Minimize duplication of efforts Become a “strategic device” to leverage resources. Provide an avenue to recruit diverse representation Generate new resources

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Recruit and maintain the right leadership

Your CECC needs someone who can broker and build relationships in the planning and implementation pieces of your work.

Leadership must be dispersed Have core group of go-to leaders, build

succession. Essential to minimize lost productivity and

credibility.

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

CECC representation reflects the community.

Do you have the alignment in what the grant requires for membership?

Who are you missing?

Include people of influence Variety of partners needed to accomplish the work Only way to develop systemic change They can help in alleviating resistance and

overcoming barriers Thing beyond the usual circle

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Involve those directly affected by the system Those out in front (influencers, providers) and those

behind the scenes (parents, caregivers) to avoid taking on a strategy that doesn’t help the system or end user

EXAMPLE: Nashville, TN Success By 6 Initiative

Have someone on the CECC that knows and understands public policy and how it works so your group is correctly positioned to be an advocate network.

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Enable stakeholders to make decisions All involved in decision, not just advising Consensus building process in place

Build on community strengths “Communities cannot be rebuilt by focusing on

their needs, problems and deficiencies” (Kretzmann and McKnight).

Build on known assets and influence systems that can modify the deficiencies.

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Leaders and partners must think differently An us vs. them mentality doesn’t work Have to have non-traditional partners with key roles Balance of power is a must-have to move forward.

Balance Long Term with Short Term Goals, Both Big and Small Short term may be strictly grant focused but what

else? Ask yourself: If the grant didn’t exist, would our CECC

still be in place and what would we be working on?

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Use data as source of power and leverage for change How well does your CECC use data to drive

decisions and track progress? County profiles recently released will be huge

resource for this.

Build Shared Vision, Ownership and Passion Does your CECC have a vision and focus or is it

sometimes issue du jour? This should be the foundation for your collaboration

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Funding should be broad based Every partner should be contributing in some

way (staff time, space, refreshments, in-kind, phone calls or letters written, etc.)

In a word…..influence

Assess Process and Progress Regularly Routinely ask the group how are we doing? This pulse check avoids losing momentum or

derailing the effort due to no way of tracking your work.

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF MOBILIZATION

Measure and Report Results Evaluation (even in its simplest form) ensures

group is constantly aware of progress

Celebrate outcomes and progress Make your group known, publicize your

successes Make a statement to the community Recent example of how this wasn’t happening

Mobilization Matters, T.A. Briefs, 2002

EXERCISE

Guiding Principles Scorecard

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

Great tools available for this at…I have some samples for you today.

Bornlearning.org – Making the Business Case User Guide

Pew Charitable Trust

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

IDENTIFY

Who might be most likely to support early learning.

Make a list of movers/shakers (local CEO’s, civic leaders, high-income influential individuals, etc.)

Which of those are active and inactive? Who already gets it and who might need some work? Finding the RIGHT champions is critical.

Who knows who? Where can a connection be made?

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

EDUCATE Don’t lecture; listen. Education is most

effective when it’s interactive.

Get the facts – It’s not motherhood and apple pie anymore.

Make it local - this is where the county profiles come in. Use the data to be compelling.

Make it personal – tie the issue to their kids or grandkids.

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

PERSUADE Spell out the urgency and what’s at stake.

Speak their language. Keep it simple but compelling – use talking

points and leave behinds (Economic Development Fact Sheet Handout). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8U96Q_x3qE

Use various methods/venues to make the case.

Chamber or civic group presentations, letters to the editor, face to face briefings, host an event/tour, etc.

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE….ITS ALL ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!

HOW TO GET BUSINESSES AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE SIDE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

ACTIVATE Know what it is you want them to do before

you ask – simple, clear call to action.

Properly equip them with talking points, heads up, etc.

Sustain the relationship – stay in touch, keep them up to date. You are creating champions for your work, not asking for a one-time favor.

QUICK DEMO OF TOOLS YOU CAN USE

www.Bornlearning.org

Thank you!Questions??