Action List for Begining a Campaign

•  Research your subject.
            Understand the topic and do your research.
  
•  Create the purpose statement of your organizations campaign issue.
            (click here for examples of campaign issue purpose statements)
  
•  Find Partners
            Find like minded organizations to help with the campaign.
  
•   Create a task force
            Task force members are key people in the strategy for getting the message out.
  
•  Create a communication plan
  

  Make a list of all of your contacts/divide the list for task     members to disseminate once the communication pieces have     been created. e-mail/call/write other like minded organizations about the     campaign issue. Let other organizations know how they can     get involved. Create a sign-on letter. Sign on letters contain more information     and make it easy for people/organizations to sign on to the     issue. (see samples of sign on letters: seabirds and longlining, horseshoe crab over harvesting). Create a section of your web site that deals specifically with the     issue. Having a web site allows your organization to post more     details of the campaign. Letters, flyers, etc. should be     available for downloading off your site. e-mail list serves, provide a brief statement of the action     campaign. Provide 1.) what the issue is and 2.) what action is     to be taken. Be sure to add a link to your web site where more     detailed information can be found. Send letters to editors (see sample letters on feeding feral cats, preventing window strikes) Create a telephone tree. Calling from homes can be effective. If     you have an office space invite people to call from the office     phones and serve refreshments. Send press releases to media (click here for examples of news releases). Create a public service announcement (click here for an example). Create a flyer or poster for distribution (see flyer on window strikes, poster for cats indoors program).

•  Hold a Press Conference
  
•   Choose a location that will attract location (site of proposed issue action).
            Meet before the conference to arrange how persons will speak to the media. Have a spokes person open and close the conference in addition to making sure each person is able to present their part of the conference.
  
•  Visit the editorial board of the local paper
            Ask to set an appointment with the editorial staff. Be clear about your message. Have one person be the spokesperson. Write out your message clearly with as many facts as possible. Include your release, the flyer and other visual aides that explain your issue. Be brief, but concise.
  
•   Helpful hints
            Always list contact information (phone, email, and web) on every communication.
  Be informed about the issue.
  Be brief and clear about the message.