WELCOME TO MAKING THE CASE

This toolkit can be used:

• "A la carte" to search for a section or template on how to create a specific communications tool;
• As a hub of essential information needed to implement an advocacy campaign for your school or community college system.

Let's get started.

Here's the road map, a table of contents of what you will find within this toolkit. You can print a PDF of this to keep as a handy reminder of all the resources available:

Overview: Why this toolkit was created and for whom

Shaping an Advocacy Campaign: Core components of a strategic framework

• Community College 101
• 10 core components of an advocacy campaign for a school or statewide organization

Starting the Dialogue: Effective messages and pitfalls to avoid

• Message 101: the basics to creating successful messages
• Messages that work – it's all about opportunity, access and expansion
• Language tips for advocates
• Message traps to avoid
• Avoiding the jargon – download a Lingo Bingo board

Who Makes it Happen: Who should be involved to bring about change

• Who are the advocates
• Who are the influencers, what can they do and how do advocates reach them
  • Business leaders
  • Community leaders
  • "Thinking, talking public"
  • Policymakers

Media Outreach: Step-by-step how to's and samples

• Strategies and samples
• Creating your own breaking news
• Finding the right angle – issues that might get attention and how to pitch them
• Using the right tools - our tips and samples
  • Step-by-step guide to reaching out to editorial boards
  • Email pitching
  • Sending media advisories
  • Writing a press release
  • Writing an Op-Ed
  • Writing a letter to the editor
  • Utilizing public service announcements
  • Blogs

Lessons from Research: What we've learned and how to use it

• Extensive public opinion research
• Summary of research
• How research leads to strategy
• Examples of Advocacy Campaigns: Case studies and real-life models from Bridges Grantees

Resources: More information and inspiration

• Information about the Bridges Initiative and links to state grantees
• Bridges informational brochure
• List and links to all partners in the field
• Key reference books and materials
• Authors' biographies
  

Click here to get started