Guide to Becoming an Activist: Starting a Group

Sections: Introduction Getting Started Information Stalls Making Displays Producing and Distributing Leaflets Starting a Group Public Speaking Lobbying Working With the Media Campaigning Fundraising Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

As you set up tables and distribute leaflets, you’ll meet people who feel the way that you do about society’s abuse of animals. Although it’s not absolutely necessary, you can increase your effectiveness by joining forces and forming a group if one does not already exist in your area. A group often has more influence than one person working alone, and the media, government and public usually give more serious consideration to the views of a group.

CHOOSING YOUR ISSUES

A group can start with two people. The important thing is to decide, from the beginning, which issues you will work on. Do you want to work primarily on fur, on vegetarianism or on a variety of animal rights issues? Realistically, you won’t have the time, energy or money to effectively take on every issue, so choose your battles then choose a name for your group that reflects your focus.

TAKING THE FIRST STEPS

Before you get a group together, educate and organise yourself. Start with the following:

• Get a computer as soon as you can afford to, or ask businesses or members to donate one. A computer should be one of your top priorities because it will make it easy to get – and stay – organised.
  
  
• Get an answering machine (one on which you can change the message).
  
  
• Arrange a post office box for incoming mail. As soon as you have a PO box and a telephone number, have stationery printed; it will make you look more professional.
  
  
• Open a bank account. You’ll need to keep accurate financial records from the start, so decide on a recordkeeping system. At the minimum, record the date, the amount of all donations and the name and address of the donor, and keep a record of how all money is spent, including the date and exact amount that was spent. Save all your receipts and write the item that you bought and the date and reason that you bought it (e.g., ‘display, 18/9/03’ or ‘school talk, 24/1/02’) on the back of the receipt.
  
  
• Prepare a standard welcome letter and information pack for new members, and print a standard thank-you letter for donations that you receive. Always acknowledge donations as quickly as possible.
  
  
• Create a phone tree – a calling system that will prevent one person from having to spend an entire evening on the telephone. For example, when you need to make information known to a number of people, start by calling three people, who then call three others, who each call three more people and so on.
  
  
• Prepare a media list of newspapers, TV stations and radio stations that includes their addresses, telephone numbers and deadlines. This will save time when you need to publicise events.
  
  
• Do some long-term planning. Set up a tabling schedule or leafleting plan for the next three to six months.
  
  
• Organise your home office. Set up a filing system for issues, financial records, media lists, important phone numbers, etc. Insert reference materials and factsheets under categories such as circuses, factory farming, fishing, fur, hunting, vegetarianism, zoos, etc.
  
  
• Prioritise your activities as a small, new group. Member newsletters, for example, should be a low priority. At first, your money is more wisely spent on educational materials, leaflets and campaigning. Remember that newsletters relate what a group has already done – they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for action.

THE FIRST MEETING

Decide how you want to operate your group. Should you meet once a month or call meetings as needed? If you have regular meetings, they should be held on the same day and time each month to make them easier to remember and schedule. Many new activists will suggest having frequent meetings, but people have limited time and energy, and it’s more important to spend it on activism than on meetings. Can you find a room at the library or at a local school or church? Avoid meeting in people’s homes – you’re better off in neutral territory.

ORGANISING THE GROUP

Expect to be the leader of your group and to do most of the work, even if you have hundreds of people on your mailing list, but always be on the lookout for potential allies to share responsibilities. Most groups are held together by one or two strong leaders with short-term volunteers working only when convenient. As the leader, it’s your job to prepare an agenda for each meeting.

Make sure that each person leaves the meeting with something to do. It may seem tedious to do this, but people will feel useless and drop out if they don’t feel needed. Find out what people are good at – who has a computer or access to a copy machine, who is good at designing posters and who enjoys tabling. Don’t insist that people be vegan, vegetarian or abolitionist before they join; as they learn, they will probably change. Just set a good example.

Don’t let meetings become social affairs – stay on target, but ensure that your meetings are friendly enough that people feel comfortable offering feedback and ideas. Be grateful for every contribution, no matter how small, and never publicly criticise or embarrass anyone. Never make people feel guilty for not doing enough. Activism thrives on encouragement and recognition, not on criticism. Having a ‘work party’ to prepare posters or write letters can do wonders to boost spirits.

It’s very important to avoid fighting within the group. Avoid criticising others, even if you’re speaking confidentially – your words may come back to haunt you. If it’s really necessary, criticise the act rather than the individual. Despite its differences, the animal rights movement should present a unified front to the public and to our opposition.

WHAT SHOULD THE GROUP DO?

Your group’s activities will probably fall into the following three categories:

• Public education work is something that every group should try to sustain and includes information tables, leafleting, library displays and letters to the editor.
  
  
• Seasonal or ‘reaction’ events, such as leafleting or picketing fur stores in response to advertised sales or demonstrating when a circus comes to town, are also valuable.
  
  
• Long-term campaigns are also important. The easiest way for local groups to work on long-term campaigns is to join one that has been initiated by a national organisation. You can bring important issues to your community and have the benefit of the national group’s literature and resources.

Above all, your group should be visible. Get into the public eye often, and always try to get media coverage for your events.