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Ifyou argue gently, ipoiticians will listen I'm a sucker for a happy ending. So in the hopes of encouraging more of them, 1 thought I'd share what I've picked up fromn hanging around counicil chambers lately, watching people do their damnedest to turn politicians on to their way of think- ing. For the sake of a catchy title, l'Il caîl it The Gentie Art of Persuasion'. To begin, a solid argument is really t jangling or feet shuffling that can plague anyone. People are sympathetic to ner- vousness. They can relate to it. Unless it's the kind that shows itself in long, rambling speeches. So when it cornes to making a point, keep in mind that brevity is beautiful. And avoid starting out with the old "l'Il be brief " line. That's because virtuaily no one wbo begins this way lives up to the promise. For ail who don't, you've just opened up by letting us down. Not auspicious. tnstead, exceed expectations. Wben you think your presentation is as brief as it can be, shorten it. And if you think there's juat too mucb still to say, check again. From wbst I've seen, people often work on the premise that a good argument juat gets better with repetition. Wrong. The objective is to change some- one's mind, flot luil them to sleep. Even worse, this tactic carnies the implicit suggestion that the listeners aren't amart enough to get it the firsI time. It gets even worse wben an argument shows every sign of flopping. The ides then seems to be if at lirst you laul to persuade your listeners, bamnier them into submission. But most politicians are intelligent, sen- The Canadian Champion, Friday, April 28, 2000 - 7 SOUR READERS WRITE Local businesses really came through for Easter Seals Dean Editor: On behaîf of the Rotary Club of Milton, 1 would like to tbank the business community of Milton for its most genemous donations to the silent suction at the annual Easter Seal Murder Mystery night. tient beings who heard and understood youn point the first time. Really. Tbey are and they did. So it's just not realistic to believe they'll awaken 10 the magnificence of your logic in ils fourth retelling. Equally ineffective is aggression. Walking up to a podium and hinting that those before you are a bunch of louIs wbo can'I be counted on to cross the street on their own is not an effective way to start. Even if that's wbat you believe, it s smarter t0 keep it to yourself - St least until aften the vote bas been taken. And if possible, dress for the occasion. Anytbing other than old track pants will help give the impression tbat you didn't just roll out of bied and somebow land in counicil chambers. If you cane enough about tbe issue to show up, draping yourself in a dlean outfit can only underscore the point. Now don't gel madl at me for Ibis. I'm just here to belp. Finally, do your research. One of tbe best presentations I've wit- nessed wss from a nervous young man wbo dug up ail the facts he needed and tben tossed bis prepared speech away. His pitch was short, heart-felt and fact- filled. And powerful enough that counicil agreed to look into bis request. Now, tbst's reslly wbst you wsnt, isn't "The business that considers itself immune to the necessity for advertising sooner or later finds itself immune to business." Derby B3rOUM This year the dinner, dance and silent auction raised more than $3.000 for the flaster Seal Society. More than 140 guesta attended and participated in the auction gen- emously while enjoying the Murder Mystery entertainment penformed entbusiastically by the excellent Milton Players. Eacb year the community Ibestre group perlorns and donates a large portion of its fee t0 Easter Seals. Carolyn Keyworth, president Rotary Club of Milton ADVER'TISEMEéNT The Right Price... Us A Value Judgement MILTON - Have you ever attended an suclion? If so, you may have heard the auctioneer begin wilh the statement 'We're here 10 gel as much as we can" But you're lhinking "I'm bers 10 buy il as cheap as 1 can..." 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