Step 1: Select an issue or cause that is of interest to you, and prepare to create a hypothetical interest group that will advocate for the interest. The issue or cause could be big and national in scope (for example, gun safety); it could be small and local in scope (for example, cleanliness of the public park in your town); or anywhere in between. Note: Submissions that analyze existing, real-life interest groups will not be graded. Once you’ve selected an issue or cause, think about your goals and what you would want your interest group to accomplish. Talk to friends, family, or community members, or research on the Internet to learn more about the issue.
Step 2: Download the Create an Interest Group template and review the prompts. Think about the specific policy and membership goals of your hypothetical interest group, the barriers to achieving those goals, and the strategies that would best lead you to success.Step 3: Complete the Create an Interest Group template. You will respond to the following prompts:
Your Interest Group
In approximately 6-8 sentences, name your interest group, describe the issue or cause it supports or opposes, and why.
What type of interest group is it? The Types of Interest Groups tutorial can help you answer this prompt.
Goals
What are your specific policy goals? Specify at least 2.
Which level(s) of government and which government branch(es) will you target, and why?
Is there one political party that might be more receptive to your goals? Why or why not?
What barriers exist to meeting your goals? Specify 2 or more. Examples might include the free rider problem, lack of popular support, lack of political support, financial barriers, or others.
How might your group overcome each of those barriers?
Membership
Who will you target for membership and how will you grow it?
What sorts of incentives can your interest group provide? The Factors that Influence the Power of Interest Groups tutorial can help you answer this prompt.
Actions
Choose two inside lobbying approaches and two outside lobbying approaches that your interest group will use. Explain how each will contribute to the goals. You can choose from the menu provided (below), or brainstorm your own ideas.
The Interest Group Strategies tutorial can also help you answer this prompt.
The issue that I am most interested in is climate change. I believe that climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, and I am passionate about advocating for action to address it.
I am proposing to create a hypothetical interest group called the Climate Action Coalition (CAC). The CAC will be a non-profit organization that advocates for policies and actions to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.
The CAC will be a diverse organization that includes representatives from all sectors of society, including business, labor, academia, faith communities, and environmental groups. The CAC will work to build consensus on climate action and to educate the public about the urgency of the issue.
The CAC will also work to influence policymakers at all levels of government. The CAC will advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote energy efficiency. The CAC will also advocate for policies that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.
The CAC will be a powerful voice for climate action. The CAC will work to build a broad coalition of support for climate action and to ensure that climate change is a top priority for policymakers.
Here is a more detailed plan for the CAC:
Mission:
The mission of the Climate Action Coalition (CAC) is to advocate for policies and actions to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.
Goals:
The goals of the CAC are to:
Strategies:
The CAC will achieve its goals through a variety of strategies, including:
Structure:
The CAC will be a non-profit organization with a board of directors and a staff. The board of directors will be responsible for setting the CAC’s strategic direction and for overseeing its operations. The staff will be responsible for implementing the CAC’s programs and activities.
Funding:
The CAC will be funded through a variety of sources, including individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.
Conclusion:
The CAC is a hypothetical interest group that will advocate for policies and actions to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. The CAC will be a diverse organization that includes representatives from all sectors of society. The CAC will work to build consensus on climate action, educate the public, and influence policymakers. The CAC is a powerful voice for climate action, and it is committed to ensuring that climate change is a top priority for policymakers.
In addition to the above, the CAC could also focus on the following specific initiatives:
The CAC could also work to build relationships with other environmental organizations, as well as with businesses and corporations that are committed to climate action. By working together, the CAC and its allies can create a powerful movement for climate change action.