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Presenting the Issue Brief

Contents

Meetings with the Community Partner or Community Stakeholders

As noted in the beginning section, issue briefs may be most powerful when driven by the research needs and interests of a community partner.  Even if the issue brief is not being developed for one specific agency or constituency, it is important to consult stakeholders throughout the research process.  Doing so ensures not only that the product is well-informed by the knowledge and expertise of individuals who work on the issue, but also that its end-product will be useful to individuals and groups who are playing roles to impact the issue.  

It is strongly suggested that reviews of the issue brief happen throughout the process, at the very least at the following junctures:

• To narrow or tailor the issue brief at the beginning of the process
• To review the research and information collected after initial library research, internet research, telephone calls, and interviews.  Here, we'd recommended that the researcher review the research in a digested form, pointing out key finding and presenting initial thoughts about the options
• Once more detailed research to flesh out the policy options (policy tree or matrix) is completed, touching based with relevant community partners or experts can be very helpful. This is an opportunity to test one's thinking about the proposed solutions.
• If time permits this for both the student and partner, having the partner review the student's final brief or paper (on the wiki or in writing) can be another step in the process.  This may be a chance to address any final questions or gaps, as well as give the partner a preview of the issue brief.
• Finally, the student generally presents a final product to the partner.  Again, besides the issue brief, this can take a number of forms.  See the next few sections for examples of other products and public forums.

   

Common Products for the Partner

The issue brief itself is designed to be a concise, practical document — especially for elected officials and community partners who may want to understand the information and make choices for future legislation, program models, and other initiatives.  Elected officials or those who can influence legislation and governmental initiatives may want this knowledge to inform their policy work or support of particular legislation.  Non-profit organization staff, board members, or volunteers may find the information can help them shape their mission, vision, and programs.  But besides the issue brief, the information contained may be translated or integrated into a variety of other products that can inform effective public policy and other forms of citizen or organizational work.  Some of these include:

• Needs assessments
• White papers or analytical reports
• Programmatic literature, such as brochures, fliers, and other program descriptions
• Documents intended to educate the public or raise awareness, such as presentations, readings, and reports
• Educational products, such as training, workshops, or components for a broader course
• Information to share with relevant advocacy and lobbying groups

Public Forums

In many cases, after the students (and/or faculty) carry out the research, construct an issue brief, and create a related product for the community partner or community, they also present this information publicly.  In doing so, they share the relevant knowledge with a broader set of stakeholders, community residents, campus representatives, or others who can benefit from this work.  Common forums may include:

• A simple presentation to the staff and board of the non-profit organization
• A broader community forum or town meeting, with targeted invitations to individuals such as the Mayor or city council members
• A campus-based forum or presentation, which could be for students involved in civic engagement (such as the Bonner Program)