Introductions & Welcome Priscille Dando Coordinator, Library Information Services Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools Erin Downey District Consulting Librarian Boise School District, Boise, Idaho
Outcomes ❏ Identify high leverage advocacy strategies and skills with minimal time investment and high return ❏ Connect your message with your advocacy target in a variety of situations ❏ Tell impactful stories with data through an outcomes based approach ❏ Apply this understanding to real-life scenarios
Grounding Why is your role as an advocate important? What people think I do VS What I really do
What is evidence-based advocacy (EBA)? Research Relationship Request
Request Making the Ask
Frame your request Articulate the WHY behind your ask. Have a story grounded in local impact. Use as an example of current or desired state. Consider the ROI on your ask.
Relationship Building Social Capital
Relationship Keys ● Integrity ● Caring actions ● Five positive interactions to every request/problem ● If you must share a problem, bring a solution (never whine) ● Be aware of hot buttons ● Step up to responsibility ● Show your appreciation
Persuasive Communication ● Leverage persuasive techniques ○ Reciprocity ○ Scarcity ○ Authority ○ Consistency ○ Consensus ○ Liking Cialdini, R. B. (2007). Influence: The psychology of persuasion . New York: Collins.
Savvy Communication ● Show finesse ○ Situational awareness; timing is everything ○ Alignment with school/administration goals, values, and priorities. ○ Focused on student benefit and outcomes. (How do you know this to be true?) ○ Articulate your proactive contribution
Communication What has worked for you?
Research Telling Impacful Stories
Backwards Design--Research Last Employ Backwards Design Find gaps -> Pick story -> Find evidence
Using Data You Already Have at Hand ● Circulation system stats ● Collection stats ● Visitor traffic ● Calendar/Schedule
“Anecdata” Broad narratives need personal stories. ● Short ● Specific ● Descriptive
Putting it together
Drill down to the practical
Strategies in the real-world Imagine: Diana is a middle school librarian and is seeking funding from administration to update furniture in the library to create more flexible, functional, and appealing spaces for students. Her school is going 1:1. Next month she plans on speaking to her principal. What actions would you recommend based on this scenario?
Value-add of a focus on advocacy What impact does this focus have on our overall jobs? What opportunities arise as a result in our own work? Where are we still learning in this process? Pro Tip: Establish a Guiding Coalition
It’s OK to be where you are; it’s not OK to stay there.
Essential Questions What is important to your principal? What would you like your principal to know or do that would have a significant impact? What additional information do you need? What’s your first step?
Questions & Sharing
Thank you!
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