Unleashing the Power of Your Story: Using Personal Experience To Advocate For The Local Community
A CivicsTO101 Free Class - July 2023 Lesson 2
Articulating Your Stance: Sharing Your Passion for Change in Toronto
Welcome back! It's time to tackle Lesson 2 of our email course, "Unleashing the Power of Your Story." In this lesson, we're going to explore the art of articulating your stance on the issues you're passionate about and why it matters to you personally. Get ready to share your fire and inspire others to join you in making a difference in your local community. Let's dive in!
Clarify Your Stance: Alright, let's get straight to the point. It's time to clarify your stance on the issue at hand. Take a moment to reflect on why this cause resonates with you and the values it aligns with. What is it about this issue that tugs at your heartstrings? Make it crystal clear so that you can confidently express your stance to others.
Share Your Personal Connection: Now it's time to get personal. Express why the issue matters to you on a deep, personal level. Share your story and the experiences that have led you to advocate for change. Help others understand how this issue has shaped your life and ignited your passion. Your personal connection will make your advocacy more authentic and engage others on a deeper, emotional level.
Highlight the Broader Implications: Keep in mind that it's not just about you. This issue has implications that reach far and wide in your community and possibly beyond. It's time to shine a light on the bigger picture. Research and gather relevant data, statistics, and stories that illustrate the magnitude of the problem. Help others see how the issue affects individuals, families, and the community as a whole. By painting this vivid picture, you'll show why it's crucial to address the issue head-on.
Connect with Shared Values: Advocacy is all about finding common ground and building bridges. Identify the values that resonate with your audience and weave them into your advocacy message. Show them how your cause aligns with justice, equity, compassion, or any other principles that hold importance within the city’s diverse communities. By speaking to shared values, you'll create a strong connection and make it easier for them to stand alongside you.
Educate and Inform: Knowledge is power! To effectively articulate your stance, it's crucial to educate and inform others about the issue. Break it down in simple terms, provide context, historical background, and relevant facts. Help others understand the importance of the issue and its implications for those around them. By empowering others with knowledge, you'll lay the groundwork for collective action.
Congratulations, advocate extraordinaire! You've completed Lesson 2 of this email course. Now you know how to articulate your stance on the issue, share your personal connection, highlight the broader implications, connect with shared values, and educate others. You're ready to take on the world and make a difference in your local area and beyond!
Stay tuned for Lesson 3, where we will explore how the issue affects you, your family, and your community. Get ready to uncover the personal and community-level impact of the issue as we continue our journey of unleashing the power of your story. Keep that passion burning!
Remember, advocacy is all about being genuine and speaking from the heart. So, let your voice shine and share your passion with the world!
Action of the Week:
Think about the cause or issue you are passionate about advocating for. Write down the name of the cause or issue at the top of the page.
Write a paragraph explaining why this cause or issue is important to you. What motivates you to take action and advocate for change in this area?
Reflect on the values that guide your advocacy efforts. Write down three core values or principles that are important to you and that drive your commitment to this cause.
If you would like to share your ideas with us all and engage in an interactive conversation use the comment section of this post or if you prefer you can send an email to TheEtobicokeVoice@gmail.com
Upcoming Classes
An Inside View Of City Hall - Session 1 / Aug 28 - Oct 6
I've always had a keen interest in local politics and how decisions are made that impact our beloved city. Well, guess what? I'm going to be teaching a course called "An Inside View Of Toronto City Hall" and I'd love for you to join me!
In this course, we'll dive deep into the fascinating world of municipal politics right here in our very own city. We'll explore what it takes to prepare for the full monthly council meetings, learn about the important committees and their functions, and uncover who does what to keep our city running smoothly.
Think of it as a behind-the-scenes tour of Toronto City Hall. We'll peel back the curtain and reveal the intricate processes that go into making decisions that affect our lives. You'll gain a firsthand understanding of how our local government operates and discover the roles played by the mayor, city councilors, and dedicated staff members.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – "Is this going to be a boring lecture-style class?" Not at all! We're going to keep things engaging and interactive. Picture us sitting together, chatting like old friends, as I share stories and insights about what really goes on at City Hall. We'll have lively forum discussions where you can ask questions, share your thoughts, and gain fresh perspectives from fellow participants. The class will be self-contained in a Google Classroom that will only be available to students of your section and the lessons will be posted weekly so you can work at your own pace over the month. While we will not have live classes as everybody has busy schedules, I will monitor the forum each day at least once to answer and questions. Optional exercises will be provided.
Whether you're a lifelong Toronto resident or new to the city, this course is for you. You'll walk away with a wealth of knowledge about our local government, how decisions are made, and how you can actively engage to make a difference in our community. It's all about empowering ourselves as informed and engaged citizens who can shape the future of our remarkable city.
So, are you ready to embark on this adventure with me? Let's unravel the mysteries of Toronto City Hall together. To enroll in "An Inside View Of Toronto City Hall" all you need to do is to become a paid subscriber of The Etobicoke Voice. All paid subscribers will be invited to participate and will receive a PDF Booklet at then end so they can continue to look back after the course ends. A printable workbook will be available each week to go along with the weekly lesson.
If you are not yet ready to subscribe and would still like to join the class you can pay the one time course fee of $25 payable by e-transfer. This option will allow you to take part along with the subscribers. If you are interested in this option you can send an email to TheEtobicokeVoice@gmail.com to receive a registration form.
Let's explore the world of municipal politics in our very own backyard. I can't wait to get started and to see you there!