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| Project Message | |||
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The Whitman Hanson Phoenix Project (WHPP) has undertaken the monumental task of beginning a strategic planning process that will ultimately provide the community support, legislative momentum and media coverage necessary to foment change in the legislature, specifically regarding school funding.
Our first step involved investigating the educational funding process, and coming to terms with the technical intricacies and political nuances of the Chapter 70 mechanism. Our next objective is to begin a concentrated community and government outreach plan that will education the public and spur our legislative leaders to action. In order to create a cohesive approach, the Whitman Hanson Phoenix Project must develop a set of clear and cogent messages that reflect the purpose of the committee. It is important to note that “messages” are different from “goals.” While we all have various goals in mind as to what we wish to accomplish as a committee (i.e. smaller class sizes, more teachers, higher foundation budget, reformed Chapter 70 formula etc.) our messages are meant to be our communication tool with the community and elected officials. We need to create themes that are universal, persuasive, and compelling - that convince people that we are creating a public good by moving forward with our purpose. We must synthesize a large amount of information into real and concise salient points that parents, teachers, advocates and even opponents care about and then communicate these arguments in a way they can understand and which resonates with them. My recommendation is to astutely use what we know - not jargon, education speak and the huge forest of education reform, but real observations and real changes - and make the most of it. Make it real to the listener/observer and move out of a policy-planning mindset to the place where you are now - a real initiative impacting real kids and teachers. One of the most important steps in taking this to the next level will be developing user-friendly messages and materials and training advocates to use them. Indeed, our message points will become the themes of our collateral materials (signs, brochures, letters to the editor, etc.) and they will enable us to, as a group, speak in a unified voice to share our story. Our messages are basic - but they are critical because they enable any member of the group to speak to the subject of education reform. We don’t need to be experts, we simply need to be on message. We have analyzed input and responses and have developed the following Message Points:
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| Please note that all information at this site is subject to our disclaimer. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. | |
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| Copyright © 2006 Phoenix Project of Massachusetts. All rights reserved. Web site designed by DDNE Technology and Design |
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Phoenix Project of Massachusetts Whitman-Hanson Regional School District 610 Franklin Street Whitman, MA 02382 781-618-7412 |
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| Email: info@phoenixprojectma.org | |||