Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting question. Well-done advocacy can work but it doesn't mean the end result wasn't going to be the same anyways. It's worth doing and trying for it but the advocacy shouldn't get all the credit. Just like when it doesn't work, it doesn't mean that those you were advocating to didn't listen. And it was still worth trying.

Unfortunately, this process relies on people being able to show up and not everyone can (which was actually a big topic of convo at many BOE testimonies, that are often within standard working hours). There is just so much nuance, plus a high level of unfairness and inequity in the process.

+1

Advocacy to the BOE has proved to be more often fruitless than impactful IMO. I think the examples cited are merely examples where the PTA's advocacy aligned with what the board wanted to do already. Or reflect a change that was marginal and low-risk for the board, so they did just to say that they are responsive to community feedback.

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting question. Well-done advocacy can work but it doesn't mean the end result wasn't going to be the same anyways. It's worth doing and trying for it but the advocacy shouldn't get all the credit. Just like when it doesn't work, it doesn't mean that those you were advocating to didn't listen. And it was still worth trying.

Unfortunately, this process relies on people being able to show up and not everyone can (which was actually a big topic of convo at many BOE testimonies, that are often within standard working hours). There is just so much nuance, plus a high level of unfairness and inequity in the process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard that some BOE members said the most effective advocacy were those who proposed alternative solutions. So rather than just complaining and throwing insults, they pointed to a pathway to help solve their issue. The Save Wootton crowd is a master class in How To Never Get Change and Never Influence people. Maligning motives and peddling wild conspiracy theories. Spamming a survey - including a cyber breach - and then not understanding surveys aren’t votes. Refusing to consider any alternative including using Crown as holding school until their backs were against the wall. Rampant disinformation. Next time just do the opposite of save woooton and you’ll be effective.

Perfect summary

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard that some BOE members said the most effective advocacy were those who proposed alternative solutions. So rather than just complaining and throwing insults, they pointed to a pathway to help solve their issue. The Save Wootton crowd is a master class in How To Never Get Change and Never Influence people. Maligning motives and peddling wild conspiracy theories. Spamming a survey - including a cyber breach - and then not understanding surveys aren’t votes. Refusing to consider any alternative including using Crown as holding school until their backs were against the wall. Rampant disinformation. Next time just do the opposite of save woooton and you’ll be effective.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard that some BOE members said the most effective advocacy were those who proposed alternative solutions. So rather than just complaining and throwing insults, they pointed to a pathway to help solve their issue. The Save Wootton crowd is a master class in How To Never Get Change and Never Influence people. Maligning motives and peddling wild conspiracy theories. Spamming a survey - including a cyber breach - and then not understanding surveys aren’t votes. Refusing to consider any alternative including using Crown as holding school until their backs were against the wall. Rampant disinformation. Next time just do the opposite of save woooton and you’ll be effective.

Anonymous wrote:Wayside: Churchill>Wootton
Cold Spring: Churchill>Crown.