Interest Groups - ENetLearning
Teacher’s GuideInterest GroupsTime Needed: One class periodLearning Objectives. Students will be able to:Materials Needed:Student worksheetsScissors for matching activityCopy Instructions:Student packet (5 pages double-sided;class set)Who’s Interested? Activity (class set) Identify three ways groups and organizations can influencethe actions of government. Explain how individuals, public opinion, associations andgroups form and carry out public policy. Describe the position of opposing groups on a public policyissue.Overhead TransparencySTEP BY STEP ANTICIPATEby asking students the following questions: Who decides what is offered in the schoolcafeteria? Are there any rules about what is served in the cafeteria? Who might careabout what students eat every day? Why are they interested? DISTRIBUTEone reading and activity packet to each student. READpage one of the reading with the class, stopping to discuss both sides of the potatodebate as needed. ASKstudents to think of one or two effects the regulation would create for each group anddiscuss responses with the class. READthe first two paragraphs and table on reading page two with the class. DISPLAYthe transparency and read each organization’s mission statement, pausing for theclass to select which type of interest group would best describe each example. Followup by asking where the Center of Science in the Public Interest and The NationalPotato Council would fit. (Public Interest and Economic Interest, respectively) READthrough the rest of page two and have the students complete the activity on thebottom of the page and check for understanding. LEADstudents through the steps of the Potato Problem activity page. Allow class timefor students to complete all six steps (10-15 minutes). READpage three as a class, clarifying terms or ideas as needed. DISTRIBUTEWho’s Interested to the class and review the instructions. Allow a few minutes forstudents to complete the matching, and check for correct answers. Ask the studentsto think about how these groups achieved these actions. (Gaining public support,lobbying representatives in government, and any combination of the inform/endorse/donate/ influence activities.) ASSIGNthe review worksheet. CLOSEby asking students to check their work on the review sheet with a partner. Answer anyquestions remaining.This lesson plan is part of the Media and Influence series by iCivics, Inc. a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civic education. For more resources,please visit www.icivics.org/teachers, where you can access the state standards aligned to this lesson plan. Provide feedback to feedback@icivics.org. 2012 iCivics, Inc. You may copy, distribute, or transmit this work for noncommercial purposes if you credit iCivics. All other rights reserved.
Types of Interest GroupsThe Humane Society worksto reduce suffering andimprove the lives of allanimals by advocating for better laws;investigating animal cruelty; conductingcampaigns to reform industries;providing animal rescue and emergencyresponse; and caring for animalsthrough our emergency shelters.The mission of Mothers AgainstDrunk Driving (MADD) is to stopdrunk driving, support the victims ofthis violent crime, and preventunderage drinking.The National Associationof Manufacturers (NAM) isthe leading manufacturingassociation, representing manufacturers inevery industrial sector and in all 50 states.Our mission is to be the voice of allmanufacturing in the U.S. and informpolicymakers about manufacturing’s vitalrole in the U.S. economy.The Christian Coalitionof America works torepresent the pro-familyagenda and supportpolicies that will strengthen andpreserve, rather than threaten, ourfamilies and our values.The Screen Actors Guild(SAG) represents actors whowork in film and televisionprograms, commercials, video games,Internet, and all new media formats.The Guild exists to enhance actors’working conditions, pay, and benefitsand to be a powerful, unified voice onbehalf of artists’ rights.Transparency
Interest GroupsName:Food For ThoughtThe USDA serving guide.What’s on the school menu today? French fries, chips, or baked potatoes?Believe it or not, a battle is being fought over what is on your school lunchtray. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for creating nutritionalguidelines for school lunches, and wants to limit the amount of white potatoesand other starchy vegetables to one cup a week, or two servings. Thisproposal affects everyone from the potato farmer to the cafeteria worker tothe students eating the tater tots. Not surprisingly, all of these people havediffering opinions.Eat Your BroccoliSupporters of limiting potato servings argue that potatoes are oftenserved fried or topped with high calorie items like sour cream, cheese,and bacon. They also worry that when students are given a choicebetween French fries or something like carrots or green beans, theytoo often choose the fries. Poor eating choices made early in life leadto obesity and numerous long-term health problems like diabetes andheart disease.Did you know?The school cafeteria isthe largest restaurant in thecountry, serving over 31 millionstudents every single day.Would you like fries with that?More Please Serving sizes inschool lunches are basedon grade level and age.Opponents of the proposed change offer that potatoes are full ofnutritional value, and aren’t always served in unhealthy ways. Fries canbe baked rather than fried, and baked potatoes can be topped withhealthier alternatives, like salsa. They also argue that potatoes are acheap and plentiful option for a vegetable serving and that limitingpotatoes would increase school lunch costs across the nation.Interested?The people on all sides of this argument have an interest in the outcome ofthe debate. That just means they are interested or concerned with howthings end up. People pay attention to things that will likely affect their lives.How might limiting starchy vegetables like potatoes affect.Students?Potato Farmers?Schools?Reading p.1
Interest GroupsName:How does individual interest in a debate lead to action? What if people with these interestshave other interests (like working or going to school) and can’t spend their entire daylearning what is happening and doing something about it? Potato farmers and nutritionistshave little time for marching in front of the USDA or making speeches to the public!Grouping InterestsOne way people can have their voice heard is to find others with the sameconcerns. Interest groups gather people and resources to support publicpolicies that help their members. They work to persuade policy makers likesenators and representatives to support government actions that help theirmembers and oppose actions that hurt them. They also work to influencepublic opinion by educating the general public about their point of view. Inthis way, interest groups advocate, or promote, the needs and wants of thegroup. There are hundreds of interest groups in the United States workingon many different types of issues.Terms to KnowPublic Policy: the standthe government takesabout a problem or anidea for improvementPublic Opinion: thecollection of opinions orattitudes of a populationTypes of Interest GroupsMost groups can be divided into five different categories.PUBLIC INTERESTECONOMIC INTERESTSFocuses on topics thataffect the generalpublic like education,the environment, andpoliticsPromotes theeconomic interests oftheir members inbusiness, labor, andtrade organizationsPROFESSIONAL GROUPSAdvocates for peoplein a particularprofession, such asdoctors, lawyers, andteachersIDEOLOGICAL GROUPSSINGLE-ISSUE GROUPSPromotes policiesbased on a set of corepolitical or religiousbeliefsFocuses on onenarrow topic, such asimmigration or drunkdrivingTaking SidesIn the school lunch potato battle, one group that supports the limits on starchy veggies is theCenter for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The CSPI is a strong advocate for nutritionand food safety from a scientific perspective. On the other side of the discussion is theNational Potato Council (NPC), which advocates for government policies that help U.S. potatogrowers prosper. Both groups work to inform the USDA and elected officials that their positionon the issue is the correct one.Think of two goals each group might have that would either support oroppose the new USDA limits on potatoes in school eading p.2
Interest GroupsName:The Potato Problem. Follow the steps below to create your own interest group and participate in the debate.Step One: Which group doyou want to be a part of andrepresent? (Circle One)StudentsPotato FarmersSchoolsNutritionistsStep Two: What is yourposition on the limitation ofstarchy foods in schoollunches? (Circle One)I think it is a great idea.I think it is a bad idea.Step Three: What do youwant to name your interestgroup?Step Four: What reasons can you give to support yourposition? Try for at least two! (Use your reading forideas.)Step Five: Inform the public! Create aposter telling people about your interestgroup’s position on the “Potato Problem.”Step Six: Inform the government! Use thisspace to list three things you would tell yourelected official about the “Potato Problem.”Try to be convincing!The Potato Problem
Interest GroupsName:Influencing GovernmentInterest groups use several strategies to influence government. The amount ofinfluence that interest groups have on government is a major issue of concern formany people today. At the same time, millions of citizens rely on interest groups tomake their voices heard.Lobbying for SupportBias: favoring oneview over another.Interest groups hire lobbyists to meet with members of thegovernment and discuss the group’s issues and concerns. Lobbyistssay that their job is to provide information to decision makers. Theinformation lobbyists provide has been carefully chosen to persuadethe audience to take one side of an issue. Lawmakers have to beaware of the bias in the lobbyists’ messages and consider bothsides before they make any decision.Endorsing Candidates"K Street" is commonly used to describelobbyists in Washington, DC. Many of the majorlobbying groups have offices on this street.During elections, some interest groups may endorse, or officiallysupport, candidates. Groups choose a candidate to support based onwhat the candidate has done in the past and where the candidatestands on issues important to the group. Once the candidate is inoffice, he or she may introduce new bills, support existing laws, or useinfluence on important committees. In return, the interest groupencourages its members to vote for that person in the next election.In addition, the interest group may donate money to the candidate’selection campaign.Raising MoneyInterest groups raise money to support their efforts to influencethe government. This creates the concern that interests groupscan “buy” candidates by contributing lots of money to thecandidate’s election campaign. Once in office, such a candidatemight be more concerned about pleasing the interest group thanrepresenting the voters. Because of this, there are strict rulesabout how interest groups may collect and donate money topolitical campaigns. Those that do must form a political actioncommittee (PAC) that follows strict government rules aboutgiving money to political candidates.Not everyone agrees about what kinds of rules interest groupsshould have to follow. Some people fear that campaign financinglaws limit the ability of people to support the causes they careabout. Others fear that interest groups have grown to have moreinfluence on government than the public at large, and that thegroups should be controlled. The debate continues as someinterest groups and wealthy individuals who support them findloopholes, or ways around, the campaign finance laws.Strategies for InfluencingGovernment:Inform the public andelected officials about issuesthat matter to the group.CampaignDonate money to politicalcampaigns in exchange forsupport by the candidate.Endorse a candidaterunning for office andsuggest that thegroup’s members votefor him or her.Reading p.3
Interest GroupsName:Vocabulary. Match the term to the correct definition.1. interestA) favoring one view or another2. advocateB) attention paid to something3. political action committeeC) to promote or support4. interest groupD) collection of opinions or attitudes5. biasE) represent interest groups and communicate with officials6. campaign financingF) how money is earned to pay for political campaigns7. lobbyistG) organizations that help interest groups raise money for campaigns8. public opinionH) a group of people who work to influence government about a set ofissuesHow Do You Lobby? Read each interest group lobby activity and decide if it is an example of informing (I),donating money (D), or endorsing a candidate running for office (E).9. Representatives interview a candidate tosee if he or she will support the group’sposition on nuclear plants. If so, thegroup will back this candidate.10. Volunteers from a teen health interestgroup go into schools and educatestudents about the dangers of underagedrinking.11. An interest group runs an ad thatsupports a candidate running for office.12. Lobbyists visit with members of Congressand local officials to share their reasons forsupporting or opposing an upcoming bill.13. Once a candidate has been endorsed,members of an interest group help raisedonations to help the candidate’scampaign.14. A group runs TV and radio ads about anissue in order to raise public concern andspur the public to action.Just the Facts? Look at how two different interest groups address the same question. Draw a line matchingeach group to the answer it would give.Question: Do guns in the home increase or decrease security in the home?The GroupsThe National Rifle Association (NRA) works topreserve law-abiding citizens’ right to buy,have, and use firearms for legitimatepurposes.The Brady Campaign works to prevent gunviolence. It was responsible for passing theBrady Bill in 1993, which required a five-daywaiting period and a background checkbefore someone can buy a handgun.The AnswersGuns in the home are 22 times more likely tobe used in a criminal, unintentional, or suicide-related shooting than in self-defense. Whensomeone is home, a gun is used for protectionin less than 2% of home invasion crimes.Guns are used for protection 2.5 million timeseach year. Guns are used three to five timesmore often to stop crimes than to committhem.Review Worksheet
Interest GroupsName:Who’s Interested? Cut off the bottom half of the page and separate the cards. Place the description of thelaw or action taken by the government beneath the interest group most likely to have supported the policy.The Sierra Club isAmerica's largest andmost influentialgrassroots environmentalorganization.The AARP works toimprove the quality oflife for people age 50and older and help them withissues they face.The American MedicalAssociation works topromote the art andscience of medicine and toimprove public health.Matching ActivityCutalongthedottedline!The nation’s second nationalpark, Yosemite, was createdin 1905 after this grouplobbied President TheodoreRoosevelt and the Californialegislature.This group encouragesfunding for research andeducational programs aboutthe health effects of abusingalcohol and tobacco.Members of this organizationlobby Congress to protectSocial Security, Medicare, andother retirement programs.This group supported the AgeDiscrimination in EmploymentAct (ADEA), which protectsolder Americans from beingdiscriminated against in theworkplace.This organization works tostop the construction ofnuclear power plants until thegovernment passes moresafety and environmentalregulations.This organization supported a2009 law that bans tobaccoads within 1,000 feet ofschools and playgrounds andalso stops tobacco companiesfrom sponsoring sportsevents.Who’s Interested? Activity
Types of Interest GroupsPublic InterestThe Humane Society worksto reduce suffering andimprove the lives of allanimals by advocating for better laws;investigating animal cruelty; conductingcampaigns to reform industries;providing animal rescue and emergencyresponse; and caring for animalsthrough our emergency shelters.**TEACHER GUIDE**Single-Issue GroupThe mission of Mothers AgainstDrunk Driving (MADD) is to stopdrunk driving, support the victims ofthis violent crime, and preventunderage drinking.Economic InterestThe National Associationof Manufacturers (NAM) isthe leading manufacturingassociation, representing manufacturers inevery industrial sector and in all 50 states.Our mission is to be the voice of allmanufacturing in the U.S. and informpolicymakers about manufacturing’s vitalrole in the U.S. economy.Ideological GroupProfessional GroupThe Christian Coalitionof America works torepresent the pro-familyagenda and support policies that willstrengthen and preserve, rather thanthreaten, our families and our values.The Screen Actors Guild(SAG) represents actorswho work in film andtelevision programs, commercials,video games, Internet, and all newmedia formats. The Guild exists toenhance actors’ working conditions,pay, and benefits and to be a powerful,unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights.Transparency
Interest GroupsNa**TEACHER GUIDE**Vocabulary. Match the term to the correct definition.B 1. interestA) favoring one view or anotherC 2. advocateB) attention paid to somethingG 3. political action committeeC) to promote or supportH 4. interest groupD) collection of opinions or attitudesA 5. biasE) represent interest groups and communicate with officialsF 6. campaign financingF) how money is earned to pay for political campaignsE 7. lobbyistG) organizations that help interest groups raise money for campaignsD 8. public opinionH) a group of people who work to influence government about a setof issuesHow Do You Lobby? Read each interest group lobby activity and decide if it is an example of informing(I), donating money (D), or endorsing a candidate running for office (E).E 9. Representatives interview a candidate tosee if he or she will support the group’sposition on nuclear plants. If so, thegroup will back this candidate.I 10. Volunteers from a teen health interestgroup go into schools and educatestudents about the dangers of underagedrinking.E 11. An interest group runs an ad thatsupports a candidate running for office.I 12. Lobbyists visit with members of Congressand local officials and share their reasons forsupporting or opposing an upcoming bill.D 13. Once a candidate has been endorsed,members of an interest group help raisedonations to help the candidate’s campaign.I 14. A group runs TV and radio ads about anissue in order to raise public concern andspur the public to action.Just the Facts? Look at how two different interest groups address the same question. Draw a linematching each group to the answer it would give.Question: Do guns in the home increase or decrease security in the home?The GroupsThe National Rifle Association (NRA)works to preserve law-abiding citizens’right to buy, have, and use firearms forlegitimate purposes.The Brady Campaign works to preventgun violence. It was responsible forpassing the Brady Bill in 1993, whichrequired a five-day waiting period and abackground check before someonecan buy a handgun.The AnswersGuns in the home are 22 times more likely tobe used in a criminal, unintentional, orsuicide-related shooting than in self-defense.When someone is home, a gun is used forprotection in less than 2% of home invasioncrimes.Guns are used for protection 2.5 million timeseach year. Guns are used three to five timesmore often to stop crimes than to committhem.Review Worksheet
Interest GroupsName:**TEACHER GUIDE**Who’s Interested? Cut off the bottom half of the page and separate the cards. Place the description of thelaw or action taken by the government beneath the interest group most likely to have supported the policy.The Sierra Club isAmerica's largest andmost influentialgrassroots environmentalorganization.The AARP works toimprove the quality of lifefor people age 50 and older and helpthem with issues they face.The American MedicalAssociation works topromote the art and science ofmedicine and to improve public health.The nation’s second nationalpark, Yosemite, was createdin 1905 after this grouplobbied President TheodoreRoosevelt and the Californialegislature.This group supported the AgeDiscrimination in EmploymentAct (ADEA), which protectsolder Americans from beingdiscriminated against in theworkplace.This group encouragesfunding for research andeducational programs aboutthe health effects of abusingalcohol and tobacco.This organization works tostop the construction ofnuclear power plants until thegovernment passes moresafety and environmentalregulations.Members of this organizationlobby Congress to protectSocial Security, Medicare, andother retirement programs.This organization supported a2009 law that bans tobaccoads within 1,000 feet ofschools and playgrounds andalso stops tobacco companiesfrom sponsoring sportsevents.Matching PSierraClubAMAMatching Activity
Allow class time for students to complete all six steps (10-15 minutes). READ page three as a class, clarifying terms or ideas as needed. DISTRIBUTE Who’s Interested to the class and review the instructions. Allow a few minutes for students to complete the matching
Icivics types of interest groups answers. . September 30, 2019 Lesson Plan: How Interest Groups WorkThis lesson examines several examples of representatives of special interest groups that explain their mission, financing and actions. With these examples, students will analyze how the purpose and structure of specific interest groups can .
The theory of compound interest handles this problem by assuming that the interest earned is automatically reinvested. With compound interest the total investment of principal and interest earned to date is kept invested at all times. A constant rate of compound interest implies a constant effective rate of interest, and, moreover, that .
interest rate. An interest rate future is actively used to hedge against future interest rate movement, i.e., so-called interest rate market risk. Due to the varying feature of the underlying interest rates, the way to calculate the price and to quote the interest rate future varies a lot.
WHY DO INTEREST GROUPS KEEP GROWING? Economic developments. Government policies, whenever govt. creates an agency, it creates an entry point for interest groups - more groups needed to form in order to protect their stakes in these agency activities. Diversity of population - countless social, racial, economic and geographic cleavages. Diffusion of power in government.
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Free market leaders form their group around their _ or _. From sports groups to lunch groups, mom groups to student groups, Bible study groups to creative arts groups, our groups are as varied as we are
lists with the Groups feature in your Google Admin console. With Google Groups for Business, you can do this and more: Create groups that include users of outside of your domain Let your users manage distribution lists. Set up special types of groups like shared mailboxes and online forums. Creating a group is free and groups don't count
asset management industry, that in the future will need to move these resources within its boundaries. handling compliance some Regulatory challenges In the past few years, regulatory compliance has constantly been at the top of asset manager’s agenda. Currently, the most debated regulation is the upcoming Market in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), as it covers many areas of the .
