Various resources related to organizing or attending a rally...
A couple tips from "Steps for organizing a cannabis event"
(source:
http://frankdiscussion.netfirms.com/organizeanevent.html )
At the event:1.
Provide Information literature to the general public e.g. info specific to the event, general cannabis info, info specifically to hand out to mainstream passersby, etc. Don't neglect the opportunity to educate and inform.
Cannabis Information pamphletshttp://frankdiscussion.netfirms.com/info_flyers.html2.
Activist recruitment efforts - get more people "on board" using a sign-up form, solicit email addresses, take a survey, etc. Ask people questions and get constructive feedback.
Bring an effective sign to the event.
http://hwy420.ca/rallysignideas.htmlAt the bottom of the Rally Sign message page are some links to
sign-making tips and advicehttp://hwy420.ca/rallysignideas.html#resourcesWhy should cannabis law reform be an important issue for everyone?http://hwy420.ca/whyyoushouldcare.htmlHow to Organize Effective Demonstrations -
http://www.nationalcenter.org/man2.htmPosters and Signs.Every rally should have hand-held posters and signs. Make sure yours are large, with tall, easy-to-read-at-a-distance lettering. Use a dark color for lettering against a light background or light lettering against a dark background. Choose script that is easy to read -- this is not the time for calligraphy. Short, to-the-point slogans are better than long statements. Slogans that rhyme, include a clever play on words, or those that would be suitable for chants make the best poster slogans. Art is good, but it should not be complex. A drawing of a pig, for example, can more easily communicate your opposition to wasteful government spending than a drawing of a specific pork-barrel project. Keep the following in mind: All signs must be readable at a distance, be understandable to an average person in a few seconds, and be just as clear on a black and white screen or photograph as it is in color.
How To Organize a Demonstrationhttp://ran.org/act/activist_toolkit/organizing_a_demonstration/Signs and other materials:Colorful signs are essential for capturing people’s attention. Make signs that have bold letters and clear messages -- the fewer words, the better. You can paint your signs by hand or enlarge photos that illustrate your issue. Make sure your signs are readable from far away and make for good photo-ops. As with chants, the use of sarcasm or a play on words can be an effective way of communicating.
How to organise a protest http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A1930916#5Make placards and bannersPlacards and banners are a striking way of immediately communicating your message to passers-by. If you have a logo or motto, it is important to make this clearly visible. Lower case letters are easier to read, especially from a distance, so avoid whole sentences in full capitals.
7 STEPS IN ORGANIZING EVENTS(*excerpt from Campus Organizing Guide for Social Justice Groups)
1)
SETTING GOALS:Public events are often the result of inspired brainstorming sessions, but when the dust settles, a difficult question must be asked:what are our goals for this event? Your group should set concrete goals for attendance and intended impact. This will give direction to your planning and a criteria for evaluating the event.
2)
PLANNING:Now that you have an idea and a set of goals, you should define your event. Why are you doing it? Who is it for? Where is it? When is it? After thorough planning, you may want to revise your goals.
3)
DIVIDING UP RESPONSIBILITIES:Make a list of everything that will need to be done and divide up responsibilities among members of the group:getting a rally permit, reserving rooms, filling out forms for student government, making food, etc. Core members and leaders should be sure to delegate tasks, so that one small clique doesn ’t end up monopolizing all the power and burning themselves out. If possible, devise a system to back up people who don ’t follow through with their responsibilities.
4)
LOGISTICS, ORGANIZING, AND NET-WORKING:Reserve rooms and get permits well in advance;make sure that speakers know what they will be speaking on;arrange transportation for participants. Ask other organizations on your campus to endorse the event or help to organize it. This will build support for your action and broaden its impact.
5)
OUTREACH/PUBLICITY:See pages 9 and 11 of this guide for Publicity and Media suggestions
6)
LAST MINUTE PREPARATION:What needs to be done on the day of the event? Make sure that a designated group of activists know what they need to do:calling the media, microphone, setup/cleanup, literature/donation/ signup table, food, etc.
7)
EVALUATION:This step is sometimes skipped because of exhaustion, but it is important for the core organizers to sit down and engage in self-criticism: What did we do right? What could we do better?
This will build the cohesiveness of your group and allow you to improve your public events over time.
From:
Campus Organizing Guide (PDF, 735k) 16 pgs
http://www.campusactivism.org/uploads/orgguide.pdf Activism and Organizational Resources http://ocan.netfirms.com/act_resources.htmlStrategy Ideashttp://frankdiscussion.net/strategyideas.html -FrankD
