[AAACE-NLA] Framing adult literacy arguments

[AWilder106@aol.com]

George,

I do think that you have to find some way to frame the problem that has appeal and does not have to be explained to death.  It must be obvious to anyone.  That means a simple-minded (but hard to do) marshalling of facts.

All life is negotiation.  You've got to make contacts and keep them going.  You have to get to know people and find out what they want.  You have to find out whose point of view matters.  All this is negotiation. It takes foot work and phone calls and listening.

You also should  find a model, someone you admire who is effective, and find out how that person does it.  Observe.

It seems to me that Art and the other points of contact are doing a masterful job at mobilizing folks. This process can go on at any level--creating  networks.

When you have decided that you've got the arguments for literacy down pat, you have to solve the accountability dilemma.    If you are wiling to take  tax money to support what you want to do, how can I be sure that you know what you are doing?  What kind of figures can you show me?

Maybe people are willing to invest in the end product, but that is only part of the battle.  They want to know that you are the person who can deliver the goods.  I think that getting to know the people who hold the purse strings very well is mandatory.

Andrea