Persuading Local Government

Based on interviews with mayors, together with documentary evidence, analyses of public meetings, and the author's own experience of advocacy, this book provides a guide to becoming an empowered citizen, giving advice on how to achieve success when advocating with local government.

Section I: The Importance of Citizen Advocacy 1. You Do Count: Influencing Local Government 2. Stirring the Pot: Case Studies of Citizen Activism in Local Government 3. Knowing Who is in Charge and What They Think: Targeting an Advocacy Message Section II: Preparation 4. Beginning the Battle: Preparing for an Advocacy Campaign 5. Considerations Before Advocating: Reflecting on Your Own Role 6. The Road Map to Success: Understanding How Decisions Get Made and Whom to Persuade 7. You Are a Researcher: Obtaining and Interpreting Background Information 8. Hidden Treasurers in City Records: Information from and about the City Section III: Understanding How Policies and Decisions Come About 9. The Road Map You Need: Understanding the Structure of Local Governments 10. The Route Taken: Paths of Decision for Municipal Policies Section IV: Working on and Presenting Your Message 11. The Rules of the Game: What Happens at the Different Venues at Which You Advocate 12. Being an Orator: Thinking How to Structure What You Will Say 13. Getting to the Telling Point: Advice About Wording Your Advocacy Message 14. Poignant Phrases: Ways of Wording Oral and Written Presentations Concluding Thoughts 15. Empowered Citizens: Concluding Thoughts on Being an Advocate