PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF A JOSHUA ISSUE

• Potential Issue is identified by a Core Team, Religious Leaders' Caucus, or any other group within JOSHUA. Every 2-3 years a One-on-One Inreach Campaign will be held within all JOSHUA congregations, followed by an Issues Assembly.
• Those who are interested in the issue inform JOSHUA leadership and/or the Issues Committee of their interest.
• Those interested do analysis and research about the issue:
• Is it something that is in accord with the faith and values of JOSHUA members? (Is this an issue of justice?)
• Is it tangible/measurable?
• What is the timeline?
• Do enough people in JOSHUA care about it? Is there a group willing to work on it?
• Is there a "target"? (Who is the decision-making person or group that needs to be influenced?)
• Is it winnable?
• Findings are reported to the JOSHUA Issues Committee.
• A plan of action is devised.
• The JOSHUA Board of Directors reaches consensus on the Issue and the Plan.
• The action plan is implemented.
• There is an evaluation.

Notes:

• Organizing staff can be particularly useful in helping to do analysis and in devising plans for action. Leaders need to be able to organize real support from other members, and to do research (especially by doing one-on-ones with people in the know).
• We need to involve people who are in some way affected by the issue. We will not be effective as spokespeople for other people who are not at the table.
• This entire process could be done very quickly if necessary. If a decision is required before a Board meeting, the Executive Committee could decide.