Nonprofits do a lot to promote the interests of their communities by raising awareness on particular issues (value of literacy, livable wages, recycling). This activity has a technical term, advocacy, which is critical to establishing and/or influencing public policy. The participation of people provides a means for balanced information and informed decision-making.
As we head into the upcoming elections, it’s important that you and your constituents are educated and informed when casting your votes. Through candidate forums, people have the opportunity to seek information and understand the varying positions of candidates from both sides of the isle on a variety of issues.
In planning and coordinating such events, it’s important to balance time for the candidate to present their position on a variety of issues and time for attendees to ask questions that are important to them and their constituents. Some resources that are helpful in planning effective advocacy efforts include the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits, Aspen Institute – Nonprofit Sector Strategy Group and the Alliance for Justice. I’m sure there are other resources or input that you could provide in preparing and planning for an effective candidate forum. We invite your input and ideas on this topic.
Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud
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