The White House Project
Real Security Initiative
Tool Kit
Table of Contents
- What is The White House Project Real Security Initiative
- What are Civil-Military Relationships and Why are they important
- How to Host Your Own
- How to Write Your Own
- Two Articles on the Changing Role of the Military
Host Your Own Community Conversation
What is a Community Conversation?
The Community Conversation is a large group facilitated discussion that will bring together a cross-section of leaders and interested citizens with military veterans able to address the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The goal of the Conversation is to create an action plan to increase the number of women involved in national security policy and budget making decisions. This will be accomplished by educating leaders and public minded citizens about the fast evolving role of the military within United States democracy. This information is vital for all who participate in every aspect of United States national security policymaking, from plenary debate to budgeting to declarations of war, and will allow women to more fully participate in national security discussions.
What does a Typical Conversation look like?
There are three different parts to a Community Conversation: before the Conversation, the actual Conversation and the Conversation follow-up.
Before the Conversation:
The first thing you need for a Community Conversation is a place to hold it. This can be your house, in a school, a community center, a library, at worship centers, in partnership with an existing coalition of organizations, in board rooms, in government buildings and really any place where you and your participants will feel welcome.
After you’ve identified your location, you need speakers. If you want 5 speakers to attend your event, be sure to identify 12-15 speakers to invite. Work hard to utilize a variety of experts as your speakers so as to create diversity and engage unique perspectives. A good place to start looking for speakers is with university professors, journalists, policymakers, non-governmental organization leaders and in the corporate sector. The White House Project maintains a database of experts in all areas through our database www.SheSource.org. Be sure to search for local speakers first and then branch out to areas outside of your community.
Now that you’ve identified your speakers, you need to invite them to attend. The first step is to send them an email invitation (below you will find a sample invitation). But experts are often very busy and if they are unfamiliar with your email address they may not read your email. Be sure to call them 1-2 days after you send them your email invitation. Often times, your speaker will ask you to re-send the invitation and to follow-up with them again the next day (or at their earliest possible convenience). Repeat this process with all of your speakers until you have 3-5 of them confirmed to attend.
Now you just need to the fill the room with 25-40 participants and you are on your way to success. Start by inviting your friends, family, co-workers and colleagues. Ask them to send the invitation to their networks and work from there.
Don’t forget about your event logistics. Before your participants attend the Conversation, send them a short survey to gauge their interest level and knowledge of the issues you plan to present (below you will find a sample survey). Also, feel free to send your participants relevant articles that relate to your issues. You should advise your participants of your speaker’s biographies. Make sure all contact you have with your participants includes the date, time, place with directions and important phone numbers and email addresses for your event.
Finally, it’s the little things that can really make your event. Make sure you have appropriate refreshments for your event. Make sure to have all the necessary audio/visual equipment. Have pens and paper for people to write on. Make sure to have everyone sign a sign-in sheet so you can follow-up with everyone who attended your Conversation. Name tags are a great way for people to feel more welcome. Lastly, make sure you have an agenda for the evening and try your best to keep to the schedule!
The Conversation:
A good way to start your Conversation is with a multi-media presentation. You could put together a PowerPoint presentation or you could play scenes from a video or TV show that you feel are relevant.
Next you want to address everyone and tell them why you have gathered them. You can address such questions as: what is The White House Project, what is the Real Security Initiative, why is it important for everyone to be here tonight, why is it so important to improve women’s leadership in this area, what are the issues we will be talking about tonight, and who are the people you have selected to have speak at your event (you can find answers to these questions in our FAQ section).
Have your participants introduce themselves by stating their name and affiliation.
Have your speakers introduce themselves. Allow all of your speakers 5-10 minutes to talk about their background and expertise.
Ask your audience to respond to what they have just heard by writing down their thoughts on a piece of paper. Then select three audience members at random to report back on what they wrote down.
Based on what your audience feels is engaging (interpreted from the statements you just heard) ask the panelists a question that reflects the audience’s interest. Make sure to have a few questions prepared in advance in case no cohesive idea presents itself from the audience’s reflections.
Then open your conversation into a question and answer period between your audience and speakers. Try your best to moderate this section and keep everyone on target (learning about civilian-military relations and why it is important to educate women in this area) and then get them more involved in discussions about national security.
Finally, give closing remarks. Try to tie what just happened into the larger theme of the importance of amplifying women’s leadership on issues of national security.
Make sure to get your participants actively involved after the Conversation. Have them fill out the same survey you gave them before the Conversation and see if any of their answers have changed. Assign tasks to willing volunteers: have a few people write letters-to-the-editor about the event, have someone write an op-ed piece, have one person set up a meeting with a local policy-maker to discuss the issues further and provide all of your participants with security talking-points (found below). Encourage your participants to host their own Conversation and teach them how or direct them to The White House Project website to learn more.
Conversation Follow-up:
You’ve just created a new network of activists, educated and willing, to act on an important issue. The most important thing you can do is keep in contact with them.
Send out an email thanking everyone for attending and provide them with the following opportunities:
- They can sign up for The White House Project email list and receive weekly updates about all of our important work.
- They can, and are encouraged to blog about their experience on The White House Project “Change Everything” blog.
- They can organize opportunities for fellow participants to network and socialize.
Sample Speaker Invitation
DATE
ADDRESS OF SPEAKER
Dear SPEAKER,
On behalf of The White House Project, I am honored to invite you to be a panelist at a Community Conversation on the changing role of the military and civilian-military relations. The event is part of our Real Security Initiative. The Conversation will occur on DATE at LOCATION.
Our plan for the Conversation is to have a keynote speaker who will give opening remarks. We envision that this address will last approximately ten to twelve minutes. After they are completed, our panelists will lead participants in an interactive discussion.
We would be truly delighted to have you serve on our panel. We have carefully selected a diverse and unique group of individuals equipped for the panel and you are on the top of our list. Your unique insights as a prolific scholar of AREA OF EXPERTISE/RESEARCH would add valuably to the discussion. Your participation would also support the broader goal of our organization, which is to advance women’s leadership across sectors – in media, business and politics.
Given that the Real Security Initiative exists to educate women about important national security issues and encourages them to get more actively involved in national security conversations, we would be delighted and honored to have you on our panel for this Conversation. Your participation would not only add a fresh perspective, it would also give the young leaders present a chance to see world-class leadership put into action on some of the most important issues of our time. Please let me know at your earliest convenience whether you might be able to speak as part of this remarkable and much needed series.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Sample Participant Invitation
DATE
DEAR JANE:
Please join MODERATOR/SPEAKER and The White House Project on DATE for a Community Conversation about United States National Security. The Conversation will be held at PLACE. We will begin promptly at TIME.
The Community Conversation is a large group facilitated discussion that will bring together a cross-section of leaders and interested citizens with military. The goal of the Conversation is to create an action plan to increase the number of women involved in national security policy and budget making decisions. This will be accomplished by educating leaders and public minded citizens about the fast evolving role of the military within United States democracy. This information is vital for all who participate in every aspect of United States national security policymaking, from plenary debate to budgeting to declarations of war, and will allow women to more fully participate in national security discussions. We intend to have an interactive conversation and we hope you will come prepared to participate. Our panelists will make brief remarks about their personal experiences and then will answer questions, comments and concerns from the audience.
The Community Conversation features VETERAN and LOCAL EXPERT. The panel will be moderated by MODERATOR.
The Conversation will address questions such as: What sort of creative thinking do our leaders need to determine how best to cope with the changed strategic landscape? Are there examples from current policy? What are the tools necessary for long-term security that promotes the values of prevention, participation, rule of law and international cooperation? How will adding women to the discussion shape the future of national security?
Please join us as we explore these questions together.
TO RSVP, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact NAME, TITLE, ORGANIZATION, at PHONE NUMBER or by email at EMAIL. Click HERE for more information about, and directions to, PLACE.
Between now and 2008, The White House Project’s Real Security Initiative will convene Community Conversations all across the United States to discuss the evolving strategies necessary to deal with the changed landscape of national security. The Real Security platform is a new way to think about national security; traditional state security needs and the safety of people are inseparable and complimentary, not trade-offs. The Conversations will address both avenues of security and the necessary innovative policy thinking and budgeting priorities that it will take to harmonize the two ideas.
The international security landscape has changed dramatically over the past 15 years. The United States now faces security threats unimaginable during the Cold War; unstable states and individuals and organizations with the means of mass destruction. These challenges cannot be solved with force or the use of the military alone. The Real Security Initiative aims to bring this policy flaw to light through its Community Conversations and to mainstream the discussion of its resolution.
For further information about The White House Project:
And the Real Security Initiative:
For further information on our panelists and moderator:
Panelist Bio
Panelist Bio
Moderator
Short Security Survey
- Name:
- Age:
- Ethnicity:
- Profession:
- What does national security mean to you?
- What is your role in national security?
- What is the role of the military?
- What is the role of the military in national security?
- What is your role in interactions with the military?
- What, if any, role do women play in national security discussions?
Sample Agenda for Community Conversation
TITLE: “A Community Conversation: National Security at a Crossroads”
PLACE, DATE
TIME
5:30pm
|
Staff Arrive Sign in sheets, information, articles are placed on tables. |
6:30pm
|
People Begin to Arrive/Refreshments are served |
7:00pm
|
Moderator Welcome/Introduction Goal of tonight – we are having a conversation; (If group is small enough, ask audience members to state their name and affiliation) Quick run through of format. What is WHP? What is the Real Security Initiative? What is the Community Conversation? Why are we holding Conversations? Polls and work we have done. |
7:20pm
|
Moderator introduces Panelists |
7:20- 7:35pm |
Panelist Personal introduction/Area of expertise |
7:35- 7:50pm
|
Panelist Personal Introduction/Are of expertise |
7:50- 8:00pm |
Moderator to audience “Ask your neighbor to reflect on the conversation. What was the most striking thing you heard?” Moderator takes 5 comments from audience The rest leave for us for research. Moderator asks first question of panelists Reflects comments/questions posed by audience |
8:00- 8:15pm |
Panelists answer Weaving their questions for the audience into the Q & A
|
8:15- 8:30pm |
Moderator opens Q & A period Good idea for moderator to restate questions to panelists |
8:40pm |
Moderator closes |
Community Conversation FAQ
What is a community conversation?
The Community Conversation is a large group (30-50) facilitated discussion that brings members of the White House Project network together with one or more veterans. After telling a story of how military missions have changed based on personal experience, the veteran engages in a discussion with the participants. There will be a moderator between the veteran and the audience and also, possibly, a local security expert.
What is the focus of these conversations?
The objective of these conversations is to educate women leaders and other Americans about how today’s missions, humanitarian intervention and stability operations, stand in stark contrast to the Cold War.
How difficult is it to host a conversation?
This kit is designed to make it simple and easy for anyone to host a conversation. Feel free to contact The White House Project at communityconversation@thewhitehouseproject.org with any questions.
Why is it important to participate in conversations?
The White House Project believes that continual communication between civilians and the military is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Why is it so important to improve women’s leadership on national security?
The United States is ready, now more than ever, to accept a woman leading on all of the important issues, including national security. Without enough viable women in the political pipeline taking on the leading roles in this area, we will forever be utilizing only half of our resources when making policy decisions and budget priorities.
Why should I host a conversation?
By hosting a conversation, you ensure that your community lends their voices and experiences to this process.
How to Host a Documentary Showing
Pick a Movie. Shame is a great film.
Clear your calendar
Pick your start and end times.
Figure out how many people can fit. The key is striking a balance: the more the merrier… unless they can’t see the TV. If you’ve got more than one TV in your house or apartment, consider having two viewing rooms or moving a second TV in the living room so more people can see.
Invite your friends. Go through your little black book (or blackberry) and invite all your friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. If you want, encourage each guest to bring someone along.
Make sure people RSVP! If it’s an open party, definitely make sure everyone is signing up as guests even if they know you. Otherwise, you might end up with too many people knocking at your door!
Figure out the food (and the plates!). It’s not pretty when a crowd gets hungry. But that doesn’t mean you have to shell out a lot of money or slave in the kitchen. Consider having a pot-luck. Make sure you have enough plates, cups and/or napkins for the people you invite.
Finalize the agenda. This sounds way more business than it has to be. The bottom line: are you chatting before the movie or after? Is there any particular thing you want to get across? Don’t put too much effort into this, but having a good idea what you want to do will help you to relax and have a good time with your guests.
Get home early. After all, maybe you’ve got to pop some trail mix in the microwave and move a TV… or even a sofa. And people always, always show up early. So get home and get it done so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
Enjoy the showing! Don’t stress – it’s just a get-together among friends! The biggest piece of the puzzle is the documentary and The White House Project has some great recommendations for you here. All you’re doing is bringing a bunch of like-minded people together to relax and learn.
Sample Agenda for Documentary Showing
8:30 (or 30 minutes before the viewing starts): Welcome (2-3 minutes)
Your guests probably already have a good idea why they’re in your house, particularly if they don’t know you, but hey, it’s never a bad idea to remind them. You could say this:
“Hi, I’m __________ and welcome to my home/apartment/humble abode! It’s great to have you here and I’m really excited to be watching this show with you. National security is an issue dominating both domestic and international agendas. I wanted to host this viewing because I believe we all need to learn more about this and get more involved.”
You can also talk for minute about how you found out about The White House Project.
8:33 (or 27 minutes before the show starts): Introductions (5-20 minutes)
Introductions can help outsiders feel more welcome and can make things a little more relaxing. This section’s timing can vary greatly depending on how many people are there and how long you have them introduce themselves. Take it from us, don’t leave it wide open (“tell us a little bit about yourself”) ‘cause someone might talk for a long, long (long!) time. Try something like:
“I wanted to make sure everyone got to meet each other so I thought we’d go around really quickly and let everyone tell us their name and their very favorite TV show.” (Or a non-profit that they’ve worked with or the type of car they drive… Be careful of making it too political of a question, unless you want to start introductions an hour before the show starts!)
When the Show Starts: Watch the show (2 hours)
Yes, you probably could have figured this out on your own, but an agenda wouldn’t be complete without planning for this.
After the Show Ends: Talk about the issue (15 minutes)
After the show, you can help raise awareness of national security issues by talking more. Some discussion questions might be: What is national security? How does it affect you personally? Why is such an important issue? Why do women need to be more involved?
When the Discussion Dies Down (or when you’re ready to go to bed): Thank you.
Thank your guests for coming! Don’t forget to direct them to www.thewhitehouseproject.org to find out more about national security.
