Networking for action
Chose a good date after consulting with other active groups in eth area. There really is no worse way to alienate others than not to cast a wide net or end up with an event that conflicts with others,
Choose a reasonable and strong theme that will attract media and resonate with the public. A list of important historical dates is provided in http://Al-awda.org/dates. Creative themes on other dates are also possible. For example "do not send our tax dollars to fund Israeli Apartheid" would be a good theme for a demonstration on April 15 or tax day in the US. This is especially if in a public place were taxpayers are congregating like the post office.
The best method of contact for outreach is by direct phone call followed fax and email. This should start with key group representatives and asking them to sponsor and support the action.
Reach out to organizations in your area. Be specific in describing the function, your need for support, what you are asking from them and ask them to be specific in what they are committing to. This should really be focused on crowd building purposes. A first step is not to reinvent the wheel. Find out what is happening and join existing events and organizations. One listing of such events is found at http://www.warresisters.org/demos.htm Once you contact the first group; ask them what other groups are around. They usually know and will network you.
If organizing a distant demonstration (e.g. congregating in Washington DC etc), make sure groups work closely with a committee on site and help ensure logistics are taken care of (Buses, lodging, etc. as needed). Make it easy to people to attend demonstrations and events (and make it rewarding and yes even fun).
Here is a checklist of items usually brought to demonstration by the organizers:
flyers, signs, sound system or megaphone, pens and note pads (to recruit activists and exchange information/network), video camera, scotch tape, scissors, and markers. |