Pitch Proposal Assignment

Pitch Proposal
With a partner, you will be making a brief (2-3 minute), oral presentation with visual aids (overheads, posters, power-point slides, or web sites designed by you) that argues for the examination of a public issue and a civic advocacy group related to that issue for the class to study. The goal of the presentation is to persuade the class that the issue and group you and your partner have chosen is the best choice for the whole class to research and write about.

Remember that the class will be researching the communicative practices of civic advocacy organizations related to issue such as the one you are proposing so that we can compare and contrast rhetorical strategies. Once we research the groups, you will individually write an argumentative analysis paper which analyzes some aspect of the group's communication practices. This assignment is worth 5% of your final grade for the course.

When creating your presentations, consider the following:

Audience: Develop persuasive strategies by analyzing your audience. Since you and your partner are part of the class, you must consider how you are similar and different from other class members. What are the most important similarities and differences between your group and the rest of the class that might affect the way the other class members respond to your arguments? Adapt your arguments to address what you anticipate might be different viewpoints held by others in class.
Strategies: Think critically about the issue and groups you want to propose for class study. What is the best way to persuade the class that this group will be interesting and informative to study for the next 8-10 weeks.
Delivery: Decide on a format for presenting your proposal that gives you and your partner active roles in the presentation. You are both expected to speak. Plan on where you will sit or stand during the parts of the presentation and how the visual aids will be handled and by whom. Run through your plan at least once before your class presentation.

If you're stumped, here are some issues and groups to consider. Please remember that just because I a listing these organizations here does NOT mean I am necessarily supporting them. This list is just a starting point to help you get going. There are many, many other issues and groups to study, so do some research to find organizations related to issues you are interested in. However, please remember that the issues of gun control and abortion CANNOT be used. Also be sure to look at the links these pages have to other advocacy groups:

Las Cruces/Local Community Agencies-

While many of these agencies may not have extensive materials to draw from they may have a tremendous amount of local resources from which to draw. I encourage you to consider them (as well as the potential experience you may gain for your resume) by working with before making a decision on which organizations your team will pitch to the rest of the class.

AMERICAN RED CROSS- Call 526-2631
ARC of Las Cruces- an organization that advocates for people with developmental disabilities and needs volunteers. Call 525-3811
AMERICORP- needs volunteers for a variety of service projects in the community. Contact at 525-3523
Big Brothers/Big Sisters- Needs volunteers to provide positive companionship and support to children. Call 647-0235.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LAS CRUCES - Needs help for after-school tutoring youth, ages 5-17, between 2:30 PM and 6 PM~ Contact at 526-1519.
Branigan Cultural Center - Needs help with special events, such as, opening receptions for art events & various projects run through the center; setting up exhibits & gallery sitting (give background on the art). Contact Anita at 541-2155.
CASA de PEREGRINOS EMERGENCY FOOD BANK - Needs volunteers. Call 523-5542.
CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE PARK- Volunteers meet to prepare science education programs for children. Volunteers also maintain trails, do general office work, and help with other tasks. Call 524-3334 or visit www.cdnp.org.
COURT YOUTH CENTER- Needs volunteers to assist with programs for youth. Interview required; must commit to a set number of volunteer hours. Call 541-0145.
DONA ANA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY- Needs assistance with pet care and pet adoption activities. Contact 382-0018.
GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION- Needs assistance serving meals for the homeless, preparing clothes for the clothing bank, and other projects. Contact 523-7727or 522-7573.
LA CASA- Needs volunteers to help in the shelter for victims of domestic violence. Contact 526-9513.
LAS CRUCES MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY- Needs volunteers to assist in programs, construct/maintain exhibits, assist with animal care and publicity. Call 532-3371
MEALS ON WHEELS- Help deliver hot meals to seniors who are homebound. Call 523-1782
MESILLA VALLEY COMMUNITY OF HOPE- This umbrella organization coordinates several agencies that address issues of homelessness and poverty in our area.
MESILLA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY- Builds homes for low-income families. Call 525-0475.
MESILLA VALLEY HOSPICE - A non-profit organization that cares for terminally ill patients and supports their families in caring for them at home. Call the volunteer coordinator at 523-4700.
SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL SHELTER - Needs help caring for unwanted animals.. Volunteers to help with fund-raising and grant proposal writing are welcome. Call 527-4544.
SOUTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER- a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the environment of southern New Mexico through education and activism needs volunteers for all activities. Call 522-5552.

Tsunami/Disaster Relief Agencies:

Discrimination, Human Rights, and Racial Justice:

Immigration Issues:

National and International Conflict:

Digital Freedom and Privacy, Intellectual Property, Copyright:

The Environment

Drug Issues and Policy: