General Purpose: To Inform

Specific Purpose: To inform our audience about the Homeless Leadership Network

Thesis: Homelessness is one of the hottest topics in Pinellas County right now.

I. Introduction

A. Does anyone know why there are major rallies going on right now for the homeless people? Well, the Homeless Leadership Network was created to oversee the implementation of the 10-Year Plan that will reduce the number of homeless people significantly.

The Homeless Leadership Network

1. Ensures accountability of the Homeless Services System.

2. Evaluates the Homeless Services System

B. I know many of you have heard of Tent City.

1. There are 60 Men and Women living in tents across a four-acre lot.

2. The tents have forced discussion on a more public stage.

3. Just a few weeks after the camp was set up under I-375 Police said it violated city code and that it must be taken down.

C. People in Pinellas County are getting their chance to make their case for understanding and empathy of the Homeless people.

D. Homelessness is one of the hottest topics in Pinellas County right now.

E. We’ll cover three areas: An overview of the Homeless Leadership Network, a discussion of the leaders of the HLN and their roles, and an overview of the other members of the HLN.

Transition: First, an overview of the HLN.

II. Body

A. Overview of the Homeless Leadership Network

1. The mission of the HLN of Pinellas County is to serve and support the homeless people of the county.

2. The HLN was created to oversee the implementation of the 10-Year Plan and to ensure accountability and evaluation of the homeless services system.

a. The 10-Year Plan contains numerous strategies to address the issues of those who are currently homeless as well the addressing the prevention of future homelessness.

b. The plan has four major strategies: oversight and evaluation; policy and funding; coordination and partnership; and continuum of services.

c. The plan is intended to be implemented by the community as a whole.

3. The work of the HLN is done through committees.

a. Committee members include Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless members, service provider CEOs and other experts.

4. During the first ten months since the HLN was started they have addressed important issues such as affordable housing, transportation, business involvement, planning for homeless assessment centers and increased levels of local government funding.

5. The HLN meets monthly at various locations.

Transition: Now that you have an idea of what the HLN is about, you should understand its leaders.

B. Who are the leaders of the group and how did they gain those positions of power?

1. Position of power

a. James Bennett is the primary leader of the group.

1. He introduces the officials of the group.

2. He gained that position of power because of his numerous activities in the government.

3. He is an expert in law and financing.

4. At the meetings, his power is shown by the way of speaking clearly and leading the meeting politely.

2. Style of leadership

1. James Bennett’s trait approach is sociability and intelligence.

2. He does not give long speeches as some of the members of the group.

3. He assigns the speakers at the appropriate time.

4. He shows great expertise as far as leadership is concerned.

3. Issues of power

1. When speakers do not talk about the main objectives, James Bennett warns them to follow the agenda.

2. James Bennett asks the members to vote on the items mentioned in the agenda.

a. This is also how James Bennett exercises his responsibilities effectively.

3. He plays his role of chairman successfully.

4. Some other members have moved into positions of power at certain times and try to make the meeting more effective.

a. These members appear to prolong the meeting unnecessarily.

5. Other leaders within the organization are the heads of different committees.

a. These leaders are generally chosen within the committees and have either great expertise on the issues brought forth in the committee or they have proven leadership skills.

b. These leaders, using the agenda to their advantage, do a good job at making the meetings as effective as possible.

C. All members of the organization do not participate equally.

1. The members at the top of the organization start the meeting out and do most of the talking throughout the meeting.

a. Most of the people at the top, such as the chairperson and vice chairperson, have their own political agendas outside the HLN.

b. Because of these agendas, they make sure they get most of the words at the meetings so their faces are on TV and in the newspaper.

2. There are committees that also speak of issues that have been brought up, and hopefully solved.

a. Unless the committee meetings have been very well run, there should be multiple committee members speaking during the HLN meeting.

b. If the reports are very well polished, there shouldn’t be a need for every committee member to be present at the HLN meeting.

c. Maybe these members should be assigned a greater amount of responsibility so that they could contribute more during the full meeting.

3. The only time anyone else is allowed to speak is at the end when they do the discussions.

a. They are very strict at meeting so anybody that speaks out of turn will be first warned and then asked to leave.

4. To encourage equal participation there would have to be a change in how the HLN is governed.

a. They would have to put people in office that really care about the homeless people and not so much bout themselves.

b. They could also make it so that the discussion sessions happen more than once; there should be a discussion at the end of each topic brought up.

c. If there really is no need for more interaction, then there should be fewer people at the meetings. If there should be more communication, then it should be encouraged.

5. The HLN website should also be updated more often.

a. The meeting times, dates and places are not accessible through the website. There should be a person, or set of people, dedicated to updating the website.

III. Conclusion

A. We have given you an overview of the HLN, we have talked about the leaders of the HLN and their roles, and we have discussed the other members of the HLN.

B. Homelessness is one of the hottest topics in Pinellas County right now.

C. We have provided you with all the information you need to know about the homeless Leadership Network. If you are tired of seeing homeless people on the streets, or if you feel like they are being treated unfairly, this is your chance to stand up and do the right thing. You know where to go to make a difference.

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