Inspiring Leadership in Immigrant Communities - ILRC

Inspiring Leadership in Immigrant CommunitiesJanuary 2003Appendix 7-AReading materials for participants on negotiation strategies§ 7A.1 Introduction to NegotiationNegotiation is communicating back-and-forth with someone to try to reach anagreement on something. In some cases it means reaching a compromise, in which bothsides give in a little.We, as well as our clients, negotiate every day. Families negotiate about what toeat for dinner, when children must be home, and how much money to spend. People whowork together negotiate about who has to do what task. People negotiate with theirlandlord about fixing the toilet and with a boss about taking time off from work. Mostpeople, whether they know it or not, have a lot of negotiating experience.When working with large institutions such as the INS or Department of SocialServices, negotiation is an important way for community members and leaders canresolve problems with the institution. Paralegals, lawyers, clients and communitygroups negotiate with INS, the Border Patrol, and other agencies. Negotiations alsooccur in schools, housing complexes, social services agencies, and with many otherinstitutions.Depending on the circumstances, there are many different people involved innegotiations. Often, someone has an advocate negotiate on his/her behalf. That advocatemight be a lawyer, caseworker, or other professional staff member of a LIRS affiliate oranother CBO. People also get family, friends, neighbors, or others to help them work outa problem through negotiation. People who volunteer at organizations such as the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) assist with negotiation. Also, entire community groups ledby organizers and community members can negotiate on behalf of others in thecommunity. Finally, the most common negotiator is you; that is, people negotiate forthemselves more often than they get others to negotiate on their behalf.It is important to note that in addition to the help that professionals provide,community members have important resources of their own: their own life experienceand problem-solving skills, and the help of friends and community. Friends, relatives,and community activists can help others in the community negotiate. They can providemoral support, help clients practice negotiating, and accompany the affected communitymember to the negotiation. Others in the community may be more assertive and havestronger English skills than the affected community member -- or even have experiencein dealing with the governmental agency or group with whom the negotiation is intended.App.7-A-1