In-Class Presentation

You will need to adjust this presentation depending on how long you are given to speak: the more the better. But even a short presentation can be very effective. There are general tips for effective speaking at the bottom of this section.

If you have 5-10 minutes:

One minute on why money in politics is harming democracy (pick something students care about e.g. fact about environment) (see Effective Public Speaking).

Two minutes for Clean Money (public financing) in Arizona and Maine as a solution that deepens democracy passed by ordinary citizens (see Effective Public Speaking).

Two minutes about Democracy Matters on your campus and how they can get involved (see Effective Public Speaking).

PASS A SHEET AROUND TO GET NAMES AND EMAILS OF INTERESTED STUDENTS. HAND OUT DM FLYER with your contact information on it.

If you have 10-20 minutes:

Do more of the above and/or show half of the Road to fair Elections Video (about 8 minutes).

PASS A SHEET AROUND TO GET NAMES AND EMAILS OF INTERESTED STUDENTS. HAND OUT A DM FLYER with your contact information on it.

If you have a whole class period:

For the first section, divide up the class into small groups and allow them about five minutes to come up with answers to the following questions:

a) What do you think of our government today?

b) What role do you think special interests play in our government?

c) How does government affect you the most?

Bring everyone back together to discuss what they came up with. Don't worry if they don't have the answers. That's okay. Briefly present the Fair Elections solution and then?

Play the video. Depending on the time, you can play the whole 17-minute video or only the first half about Maine since the part about Arizona is a bit repetitive.

Briefly present facts about how much influence special interest groups have (using the Democracy Matters website for facts).

Close with Q and A and a pitch for joining Democracy Matters to do something about this!

PASS A SHEET AROUND TO GET NAMES AND EMAILS OF INTERESTED STUDENTS. HAND OUT A DM FLYER with your contact information on it.

 
   
 

 

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