Say Yes to the Ask:

How to Talk the Advocacy Talk

1:1 Conversations Workshop

#AAUW2013 @AAUWpolicy
 Roadmap: Where Were Going

1.PSA: conversation model

2.PSA example
3.Conversation dos & donts
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 cant mobilize her until youve organized her!
Intentional conversations that go deeply into a persons:
Issues: What we act on
Interests: Whats our stake in it
Values: Principles, what motivates us

Assessment from the conversation:

Capacity: What resources can be offered
Commitment: What resources are offered

Its about building a relationship with her so you can then ask her to
take action.
 Find Their IIV
Interests: Why?
Why is that Issues: What
particular issue does this person
important to care about at
this person? school? At work?
In the larger
world?

Values: Guiding principles

 Assess Their CC

Capa nt =
city i tm e
Skill = m
s Com gness
i ll in
W
 Mobilizing Conversations
Organizing + Mobilizing = Change for women!

Prompted conversations that make an ask:

Goal: Link persons issue to AAUW & make specific ask

Now that youve established a relationship with her,

you can make a tailored ask of her that she will
actually say yes to.
 1:1 Conversation Dos & Donts
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 change
steps
Dont
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
End conversation without
clear plan for next steps
 1:1 Conversation Asks
Concrete Asks Wishy-Washy Asks
We are having a branch meeting Do you want to join our
next Thurs. at 8pm. Can you come branch?
and help us brainstorm our Equal
Pay Day action?
Were in the midst of a critical
letter to the editor push. We need Can you write a letter to the
to get 10 more letters written this editor?
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.
Getting Commitment
Overcoming Tough Objections Exercise
 Using 1:1 Conversations at Home
If youre 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 2013-2014 programming
If youre 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 youre a general AAUW member:
Have a 1:1 conversation with a prospective member
Use the PSA model for every ask you make