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12 Dec 2011
Melodee Lambert
Holly Langton
Reflections on a Nearly Impossible Task: Research/Service Learning Project Proposal

Proposal: Research Project to Inform College Students on the Benefits of Caucus Participation to their
Education and their College Experience
My research/service learning project to inform college students on the benefits of caucus participation
to their education and their college experience proved to be a challenging proposal. To be honest, I
knew it would be and I thought about choosing a fluffier topicsomething students would more easily
relate to. I have never been one to shy away from a seemingly impossible task before, so why start now?
CONNECTIONS TO OTHER CLASSES I ATTEND
Thinking about thinking it sounds redundant, doesnt it? However, thinking about the way we think is
actually not redundant at all. In fact, we think all the time, but we spend little time thinking about the
way we do our thinking. In my College Essentials class, thinking was an entire chapter in the textbook
and a big part of the curriculum. Thinking critically and creatively is a fundamental need to be successful
in any course. In order to write a successful project proposal, especially when said proposal involves
college-age students and politics, the need to think critically was not an optionit was a necessity. I had
to think about the way I was thinking. Then I had to think some more about a way to approach the
subject without causing my classmates eyes to glaze over with boredom. Uncovering student
assumptions and finding that aha! to capture the interest of my audience was indeed a challenge.
Connecting to the skills I learned in College Essentials became in itself essential for me to write a
successful proposal.
CONNECTIONS OF MY OWN
My own connections to this topic run deep and long. I have advocated in the public education arena for
many years. I chose the word arena with care, because the showground of public policy can be filled
with fighting, clowns and a bunch of bull(s)with the public watching on seemingly helpless to some
devastating outcome. Okay, perhaps I am being overly dramatic to make a point, but many situations I
have witnessed fit my description perfectly. The disconnect I see between our elected officials and what
we as citizens want in this area of public policy is colossal. The time I have spent lobbying the Legislature
has taught me that. The problem is that we have too many elected officials whose views vary drastically
from that of the citizens that elected them. Why this paradox exists is both simple and complex.
It is simple because we know the problem starts at our local caucuses, but fixing the caucus system is
definitely very complex. Utah has a unique caucus system. In theory, it is the most grass roots way to
elect our public servants. In practice, the extremists in our communities, both the liberal extremists and
conservative extremists, overrun it. The vast majority of us, the general public, however, fall in the
moderate categoryjust like me.

Melodee Lambert
12 December 2011
Page 2 of 3
CONNECTION TO FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS WRITING
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to develop a project for a small group to pursue over a 5-6 week
period. As required, my proposal demonstrates how my idea benefits business communication students.
For my presentation, the primary issue was capturing the interest of the students. Once students realize
the value and feasibility of my project, the ability to use and gain business skills will become necessary.
Audience
It is highly probable students have not had any significant experience with Utah politics or our electoral
system. Information is a powerful precursor to action. The connection between our everyday lives and
the actions of our elected officials is not always apparent. My proposal links students to this issue.
Higher educations priority with delegates, and subsequently the candidates they choose and the
policies those officials enact when elected, directly affects our college experience and in the end,
our futures.

gaining accountable representation on public policy issues affecting higher education.

Many delegates views are different from that of the active voters. For example, 50% of
Republican active voters strongly agree elected officials should increase funding for public
education, i.e., your education, while only 23% of Republican delegates strongly agree
elected officials should take this action. (Dan Jones and Assoc. 2010).

achieving a better-quality higher educational experience.

State legislatorsnominated by delegatesare responsible for allocating funds to support
higher education. These allocations affect the number of course offerings a college can
offer, expenditures for libraries, computer support, operating expenses, even the social
aspect of college life such as student organizations and athletics.

realizing improved economic opportunities as a result of obtaining a better education.

This information, and more like it, makes attending their local caucus personal to students. The people
selected to run for office by our delegates are not interested in our priorities and those are the people
that go on to make decisions directly affecting us as students. My proposal made it very clear what the
cost is for not participating.

Melodee Lambert
12 December 2011
Page 3 of 3

Format, Style and Tone

The format, style and tone of my written proposal varied greatly from that of my oral presentation.
Although persuasion was a piece of the written presentation, because the audience was my instructor,
the persuasion concentrated on the elements needed for a good project. On the other hand, since the
audience for my oral presentation would consist of students, I needed to sufficiently capture the
interest of the students so that they would consider spending their time working on it for 5-6 weeks.

In the 2010 election, voter turnout for people over the age of 65 increased 16
percent. In contrast, voter turnout for youth decreased 55 percent, according to
Project Votes website, dedicated to election and voting information.

CONCLUDING REFLECTION
Ultimately, my project was not one of the four chosen by students as a class project. My view is that
knowledge is a precursor to action and the more knowledge students gain over time will change their
interest level in political issues.
I agree with editor Josie Bonefas from Bear Facts who wrote, Young adults, teens need to get more
involved in politics. Older people are more involved politically because as we age, we start to
understand politics a little better; it is all that worldly experience. We see how politics directly relates to
every aspect of our day-to-day lives. As we make a paycheck and pay our taxes, we see how the laws
affect us more and more. It is common for voters to stay away from the polls because they do not like
either candidate. Involvement in the caucus system can change that. One thing I know is that my
proposal increased the knowledge of those students exposed to it, moving them a little closer to the
possibility of action in the future.

References
Dan Jones and Assoc. (2010). The 2010 priorities survey of party delegates and voters. Utah Foundation
Josie Bonefas. (2010). Young adults, teens need to get more involved in politics Retrieved from
http://www.lzbearfacts.com/viewpoint/2011/04/04/young-adults-teens-need-to-get-moreinvolved-in-politics/