Marin Institute

When you see something you don't like and you want to change it, what do you do? Successful activism depends on getting others involved through effective organizing strategies. How can you work with people-of any age -to move them from inaction to action, to get them involved in an issue you care about, and to create social change? Here's an example of an issue that might get youth motivated:

Scenario: You are part of a group of youth who live in the same neighborhood. Every day as you and your friends walk to school, you notice the garbage and litter in the gutters, mostly consisting of empty alcohol containers and brown paper bags. Why is it always such a mess? You start paying attention to the neighborhood, and you realize that the litter is concentrated around two or three liquor stores you pass on the way to school. Upon further investigation, you learn that the liquor stores sell cheap, ready to drink, single containers of alcohol (40 oz bottles, 22 and 12 oz cans), in small, brown paper bags. Most of the people hanging out on the sidewalk are holding these paper bags. You and your friends conclude that the types of products sold in these stores are a major contributor to the dirty sidewalks and gutters. Interested in having a cleaner, safer neighborhood, your group wants to get the liquor stores to stop selling these single containers of alcohol.

• GET OTHERS INVOLVED
• PLAN FOR ACTION
• SEE HOW IT'S DONE

GET OTHERS INVOLVED

WHERE?
The basic truth about getting others involved is that you can never do too much outreach. Be as complete and inclusive as possible when you are thinking about where to conduct outreach efforts. Be resourceful, and brainstorm as many different places as possible, with input from as many people as possible. If you have access to a youth organization, ask the staff where and how they recruit youth. Here are some great places to reach young people:

• Local high schools and middle schools (public, private, alternative and charter schools). Try to reach more than one or two people at each school. Find them through student clubs, counselors and peer resource coordinators, health educators, and government, history, and other social science teachers.
• Community-based organizations that work with or provide services to youth.
• Local teen centers.
• Teen health, community health or prevention organizations.
• Community centers or local Parks and Recreation Departments.
• Home-schooling organizations.
• Faith-based organizations.
• The local Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
• School-to-career partnerships.
• The Internet: chat rooms, community home pages, youth listserves, and community calendars.
• Non-traditional places such as group homes for foster youth, the local youth probation department's intervention or diversion division, or continuation schools.
• Social circles: friends, classmates, teammates, siblings, co-workers (youth and adult), and anyone else you encounter.

WHAT?
Outreach Content: Appealing to self-interest is a good way to get people-young and older-motivated and involved in what you are doing. If you want young people to join your effort, don't just tell them about your project and what you want to accomplish. Let them know how it relates to their lives, experiences, and interests:

Describe past projects your group has done that relate to youth; talk about your own personal experiences and why you liked being involved.
Talk about how youth voices, ideas, and participation can and will bring about positive change.
Discuss skill building-how youth can build on the skills they already have and learn new things.

HOW?
There are countless ways to reach people, from one-on-one contacts, to group presentations, to news coverage and more. Consider these ideas for getting your message out:

• Make presentations to interested groups
• Send pamphlets and flyers to schools and organizations; ask administrators to post materials around campus
• Advertise in the school and local papers, as well as any local youth zines. Also ask these papers to include your project in their community calendar or news sections, which are often free.
• Attend school and community fairs; these are often about health, jobs, services, etc. School fairs are usually held at the beginning of the school year.
• If you already have some young people signed up, ask them to recruit their friends; recruit your own friends too!
• Contact popular radio stations; ask if they have "public service announcement" or "community calendar" spots available.