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Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN)
an ELCA guide to developing an advocacy ministry within your congregation
How to Bring Advocacy to my Congregation
In this section:
 Answers
to Address Problem Participants
Ramblin Rosemary
- Restate any relevant points she makes
- Let her speak until you find one idea that you can use to
transition back
- Refocus by asking the group (turning away) how they see it
- If she is way off, take the blame and say something I said
must have led you off, now we are speaking about...
Boxing Bill and Betty
- Emphasize points of agreement
- Minimize points of disagreement
- Ask that personalities be left out
- Bring another reasoned voice in before you loose control
Motormouth Michael
- When he stops for a breath, thank him for his contribution and
refocus
You’ve given us a lot to think about....
Let’s get some other thoughts on the topic...
- Make a ground rule that everyone has a chance to address the
topic before in-depth analysis
- Ask him for one new point he wants to bring to the group
Dependent Donna
- Point out that your view as leader is not as important as the
view of the group
- Get some other opinion
- Give your opinion if appropriate and immediately ask others in
the group to respond
Inarticulate Ian
- Say, let me repeat that...
- Do you mean?
- Put their ideas in a better language and have it make sense.
- Avoid saying, What do you mean?
Silent Sally
- Ask her for her opinion
- Compliment her sincerely, when she does speak for the first
time
Carl the Conversationalist
- Don’t embarrass him
- Ask a direct question by calling his name and restating the
last opinion expressed and ask his opinion of that
- Sometimes a glance or pause will bring him back
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