Problem Statement Structures

Lay Document Problem Statement Structures

Clemson University’s student body understands the importance of lobbying.

BUT

CU’s Student Body doesn’t know how to lobby effectively. They need to know how to effectively lobby in order to promote change.

SO

I will inform them about effective lobbying by writing a how to lobby manual that can be utilized by CUSG (Clemson University’s Student Government) in pre-lobbying trip workshops.

***

CUSG would like to be in a situation where all participants on lobbying trips already know how to lobby effectively thus allowing them to promote change in policies pertaining to secondary public education.

BUT

Actually, the real situation CUSG is facing, having participants participating on lobbying trips that are knowledgeable as to how to lobby effectively, precludes promoting change in public education policies.

SO

I will make the real situation more like the ideal by writing a how to manual that educate both new and old lobbying trip participants as to the ends and outs of lobbying.

***

The situation CUSG is facing can be described as a catch 22. While they have a student body that is passionate about pursuing changes in policies pertaining to public education in colleges the lobbying participants (from the student body) aren’t always educated as to how to effectively pursue these changes.

The situation has negative consequences. For instance, in some cases these students whom have very noble intentions in signing up to participate on a lobbying trip end up causing more harm than good.

SO

I will alleviate the consequences by writing a how to manual document that will outline for participants how to utilize and build upon the lobbying they already use in their private “daily” lives when lobbying for causes (political and/or public policy) in their public lives.

Expert Document Problem Statement Structures

Clemson University's student body knows that there is a problem with a lack of sufficient student parking on campus

BUT

The student body does not, however, know how to or to whom to effectively communicate their discontent with the parking on campus.
They need to know how to effectively get their message out there and to whom in order to improve parking on campus.

SO

I will lobby on their behalf by creating and implementing a lobbying campaign geared towards improving student parking on Clemson University's campus.

***

Clemson University's student body would like to be able to drive into a student parking lot, find a space without circling around for 15 mins, and have the catbus run on schedule so as not to be late for class.

BUT

Actually, the real situation the students at CU are facing doesn't involve adequate (i.e. in reasonable proximity to lecture halls and available spaces) parking for all student's who purchased a parking permit on campus.

SO

I will make the real situation more like the ideal by lobbying for improving student parking on campus (this may or may not involve addressing the CAT bus, creating a parking garage, creating more student spaces, not allowing freshman to bring cars on campus).

***

The situation CU's student body is facing can be described as being "taken for a ride." They are paying for a product (adequate parking on campus) that they are not receiving. Atleast not by any reasonable person's definition of adequate.

BUT

This situation has negative consequences for CU's goal of being a top 20 university. Students are coming into classes late because of the parking situation on campus and this is a distraction to those students who were able to find spaces. Some students aren't coming to class at all because of parking on campus. Then you have students who park in faculty parking to avoid missing class thus resulting in faculty members cancelling classes. How is it that we can become a top 20 school if both students and faculty alike are missing classes due to a lack of parking?

SO

I will attempt to improve the consequences by creating and implementing a lobbying campaign that will voice the discontent of the student body involving parking, enlist others to voice their concerns as well, and finally to encourage a change or atleast dialogue among those who are in a position to implement the changes needed to give Clemson students what they have already paid for--adequate parking!!!

Comments :)

For all of you who commented on my planning worksheet, thank you! I've taken the time to try and clarify any misunderstandings and take into account all suggestions that were made. That being said, check out my responses to yoru comments by clicking on the comment link under my planning worksheet blog.

Sharon

Planning Worksheet

Who will be the audience of the document you want to write? Name a specific person or group.

• The audience for my lay document will be my peers (other students within CU's collegiate community). The audience for my expert document(s) will be my hypothetical boss and my client (my peers).

What specific problem, faced by the audience, do you hope to solve through your document?

• With my lay document I hope to solve the "so what's next" problem by providing my audience with a document that will demonstrate to them how to build upon the lobbying basics that they already use in their daily lives when lobbying for and/or against change in politics and public advocacy.
• With my expert document I hope to validate my lay document by employing both the theoretical and practical components of the document in a lobbying campaign of my peers choosing. In other words, I'm going to lobby for my peers to lobby all the while lobbying for their (our) cause. How am I going to accomplish this task? The answer is simple. I'm going to challenge the "I'm just one person" mentality that prevents so many of us from taking action and replace it with an empowering message--a message that you, that i, that we can make a difference.

How do you know the problem is a pressing problem for the audience? List particular difficulties the audience faces as a result of the problem.

• I know the "so what's next" problem is a pressing problem for my lay audience because I often find myself engaged in deep philosophical discourse with my peers following a speech, an article read in a newspaper, or something of the likes... We're enraged and we're complaining. We know exactly what needs to happen. To us it makes so much sense. How can the politicians, administration, whomever get it so wrong. We have strong opinions and great ideas and that's where it ends. We don't know what to do with those strong opinions and great ideas. We don't know what's next; because we don't know what's next we do nothing and nothing changes.
• I know the "I'm just one person" problem is a pressing problem for my expert audience because they need people who will not only receive their message but who will ultimately take action. They need people who not only know what to do next but who realize that they have something to contribute; that everyone has something to contribute. People who understand that the biggest part of lobbying is getting the message out there while enlisting others along the way and taking action. If the "I'm just one person" problem isn't addressed then my expert audience faces the problem of trying to envoke action in a society that is indifferent because they no longer believe in the political endeavors they studied in their history books. They "know" better now--no longer do they believe that every vote counts, every vote is equal. So...why bother voting, right?

What type (genre) of document do you want to write?

• Both my lay and expert document(s) will be informational documents. The lay document will be a "how to" document and the expert document will be a "how to" applied document.

How will the document reach the audience? If you hope the document will appear in a larger publication, name the publication and explain how you know the publication will reach your intended audience. If the document will stand alone, explain how you hope to get it into the hands of your audience.

• My lay document will stand alone. I will distribute copies of the document to CUSG. The reason I chose to distribute the documents to CUSG is because they lobby along side their fellow classmates in both Columbia and DC throughout the year.
• My expert document will stand alone as well. I will be "pitching" my expert document(s) to my client/boss. This can be done in a board meeting, at a business lunch, etc. I will also attempt to utilize some of my expert documents such as t-shirts, fliers, posters, and articles on campus. I will enlist my friends in my lobbying effort by having them help sell t-shirts, hang posters, distribute fliers, spread the word...

How exactly will the document alleviate the audience's problem? Describe specific outcomes that you expect.

• My lay document will be utilized in a workshop to teach the first time lobbyist what lobbying is and how to lobby effectively all the while reinforcing what the old timers already know. Hence, you'd know longer have students who although very passionate about a particular cause have no idea how to lobby it to Congress or the Senate. In short, my lay document will alleviate my audience's problem by teaching them how to "unite wisdom with eloquence." After all, it doesn't matter what you know if you can't communicate it effectively (effectively being in a way facilitative of understanding and then action).
• Anyone can complain... we complain about the increase in both instate and out of state tuition every year, we complain about the parking situation (or lack there of) on campus, we complain about the cost of textbooks, we all complain. How many of us seek action? You'd think since we all complain that we'd all take action. Unfortunately more often than not that's not the case. My expert document, therefore, will alleviate the audience's "I'm just one person" problem by showing them how I--just one person--made a difference by lobbying. Hopefully, my showing them this will not only empower them but will also drive them to act.

You the Lobbyist Notes

Why a Guide to Lobbying?

• We all lobby all the time:
  –We lobby to get things we want.
  –We make arguments in support of our position.
  –We point out the faults in the arguments against our position.
  –We enlist the help of others.

My Lay Document

• Theoretical Part:
  –What lobbying is
  –Why lobbying is important
• Practical Part:
  –How to build upon the lobbying basics of our private lives to lobbying in politics and
  public advocacy

My Expert Document

• An actual lobbying campaign (or pitch) using my lay document:
  –Get my story in the media (i.e. The Tiger)
  –Give a speech at an event to get my message out
  –Start a “cause” group on Facebook
  –Create buzz using visual communication (i.e. posters, t-shirts, etc.)
  –Meet with influential people in the Clemson community
  

My Interview Notes

About the field of Public Advocacy

What background is necessary or helpful for a career in public advocacy? For example, would you recommend or require that your current and prospective employees possess either a legal degree, a masters in public policy, or both?

• A bachelors degree that teaches you how to write critically and persuasively
• A masters degree in public policy could prove very beneficial if you are lacking in any other form of practical political experiences and/or internships
• A real understanding of politics, public policy, and of how the press works gained through internships and experiences

What are the best ways to enter this field?

• Not a lot of entry level positions
• Get a job working in a press source or government office.
• Work for the people that lobbying firms are trying to influence.

What are the three most vital skills or qualities for a person going into this profession to have?

• Political and public policy knowledge and/or experience
• Intelligence (able to think outside of the box and come up with creative ideas and solutions to meet the needs of your clients)
• Personality

What are some of the present trends or changes in this field? What about challenges and/or controversies?

• There tends to be a negative connotation with lobbying because for many when they think of lobbyist they think of movies such as "Thank You For Smoking."
• Lobbying is seen as a form of coercion and/or manipulation (like rhetoric).
• The field of lobbying and what it is that lobbyist actually do is more widely known today than say 10 years ago.
• Lobbyist are more influential than ever in the political arena.

What are your overall responsibilities as President? What do you do in a typical day at work?

• There is no such thing as a typical work day; a lobbyist will never experience the same day twice.
• Here's what Mr. Marlow's last 2 days consisted of: attended a meeting dealing with congestion pricing issues in Manhattan, phone conference with Drummajor Institute for Public Policy, meeting with possible 2009 mayor candidate, interviewed potential attorneys for a client, and was interviewed by me.

What is the employment outlook for public advocacy, nationally and locally? Is demand increasing or decreasing?

• The demand for employment in the field of public advocacy is definitely increasing. Entry level positions, however, are few and far between. In short, if you have experience in politics, public policy, or law even, your chances of beginning a career in this field are greatly increased. On the other hand, the likelihood of your beginning a career in public advocacy directly following your undergraduate graduation without any experience and/or internships in politics or public policy are slim to none.

What is a representative salary range for an entry position?

• Not a lot of entry level positions. Entry level salaries vary depending on firm's reputation, firm size, firm location (you'd make more in DC than in Columbia, SC for instance)education (such as a masters in public policy), experience in the field (such as internships), etc.

Does this type of career typically involve a lot of team effort, or do you primarily work independently?

• It definitely requires a lot of team effort. In fact, so much of your success in this field is dependent on your networking capabilities. You need to be able to make things happen and if you don't you should know a person who knows a person who can make things happen. It's definitely an "I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine" type of career.

Personal Info

What are the most and least gratifying aspects of your work? What would you modify?

• The most gratifying aspect of Mr. Marlow's work is when he is able to provide for his clients tangible results. For instance, if what his client is seeking is exposure in the media then what would be gratifying to Mr. Marlow is being able to generate a buzz around his client and/or their company in the media and then being able to show his client very tangible results (i.e. articles published by major newspapers, on television broadcasts, in magazine editorials, etc.)
• The least gratifying aspect of Mr. Marlow's work is when he has to explain to a client that the theoretical democracy that he or she learned about in history courses is very different from the pratical democracy of our government. In otherwords, every vote does not count, all votes are not equal.

What experiences in your background have played a role in the success of your career?

• Law school, definitely! While Mr. Marlow doesn't feel as though a legal education or a masters even are absolute necessities for success in this field, he couldn't stress enough the importance of having a great understanding of politics and public policy from the beginning. Law school provided him with this understanding in both a theoretical and pratical sense. In law school he learned the ins and outs of the very laws that he now tries an influence on his clients behalf. Also, the networking opportunities at UVA were both endless and priceless.

Sample Lay/Expert Public Advocacy Documents

http://www.publicadvocacygroup.com/tpag_in_the_news.htm

Brainstorming for my Interview

For my informational interview, I will be interviewing Chad A. Marlow, President and Founder of The Public Advocacy Group, LLC in New York, New York. What I hope to gain from this interview is a better understanding of the public advocacy industry and the lobbying occupation within this field-- and to build a network of contacts in the field all the while building an impressive foundation for my semester project. I’m sure you’re all wondering by now, what exactly is my semester project. While I don’t have an answer to this question at the moment I will hopefully have one Monday (9.10.07) following my interview with Mr. Marlow. It is at this time that he and I will discuss a way to incorporate a possible project for this course with something that he can utilize within his organization. With any luck, we’ll come up with something advantageous to both him and me.

On a side note, I’ve provided my interview questions below. The questions are grouped according to the type of information each question is seeking. Any feedback and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Company Info

1. How would you summarize what your organization does? How does it differ from your competitors?
2. What does your company look for when recruiting people?
3. Does your company have an intern or co-op program? What kind?
4. Does your interns/co-ops have an opportunity for employment upon completion of the program?
5. What are the different positions available within your company?
6. How has the company evolved and what are its strategies for future growth?
7. How would you characterize the culture of this organization? For example, is this a high-pressure organization?
8. Is there a company dress code? If so, what does the dress code entail?

About the field of Public Advocacy

1. What background is necessary or helpful for a career in public advocacy? For example, would you recommend or require that your current and prospective employees possess either a legal degree, a masters in public policy, or both?
2. What are the best ways to enter this field?
3. What are the three most vital skills or qualities for a person going into this profession to have?
4. What are some of the present trends or changes in this field? What about challenges and/or controversies?
5. What are your overall responsibilities as President? What do you do in a typical day at work?
6. What is the employment outlook for public advocacy, nationally and locally? Is demand increasing or decreasing?
7. What is a representative salary range for an entry position?
8. Does this type of career typically involve a lot of team effort, or do you primarily work independently?

Personal Info

1. How did you become interested in public advocacy?
2. What are the most and least gratifying aspects of your work? What would you modify?
3. What experiences in your background have played a role in your success in your career?
4. What, if anything, would you have done differently?
5. When do I start working?

In the Beginning: Interviewing a Corporate Lobbyist

There is no single path that will prepare me for a legal education. Students who are successful in law school, and who become accomplished professionals, come from many walks of life and educational backgrounds. Some law students enter law school directly following their undergraduate graduation without having had any post-baccalaureate work experience. Others begin their legal education significantly later in life, and they bring to their law school education the insights and perspectives gained from those life experiences. Legal education welcomes and values diversity and praises the pursuit of knowledge. Accordingly, I will benefit from the exchange of ideas and different points of view acquired from my interview with a lobbyist just as I have benefited from both, the exchange of ideas and different view points of my peers at Clemson.

There are important skills and values, and significant bodies of knowledge that I want to acquire prior to law school that will provide me with a sound foundation for a legal education and later a career in corporate lobbying. These include analytical and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, and oral communication and listening abilities. If I am to prepare adequately for a legal education, and for a career in lobbying I have to seek educational, extracurricular and life experiences that will assist me in developing the abovementioned attributes. These are all things that I hope to discuss and take away from my interview.

Needless to say, it’s not so easy finding a corporate lobbyist at a DC firm that, even if willing, has the time to sit down for an interview. However, I have e-mailed a former Clemson University pre-law studies professor that is now working as a lobbyist in the DC area and I am eagerly awaiting her response. As for how I will incorporate my interest in corporate lobbying into the documents required for this course, I am not positive. I do know, however, that I hope to create something worth more than just a grade in a course. I want a taste of corporate lobbying no matter how minuscule that taste may be.