| Ways to Activism |
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- Talk to other activists in other environmental organizations
listed in the directory.
- Keep detailed records of your information
sources: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE. Use discretion when asked
to reveal your sources. I don't tell anyone my sources!
- Have
short, productive meetings.
- Contact members of your state and local
governments. Learn their views on the environment and don't
be afraid to share your ideas.
- When dealing with the media, always prepare
a statement, and to maintain your credibility, always tell
the truth. Don't let the media put stars in your eyes -
remember your purpose. If you stretch the truth it will eventually
ruin your credibility in the community.
- Use the media. Be sure to contact them
in order to advertise your cause. They will help your cause
more than you can imagine, so use them for all projects and
crusades - they are great!
- Get involved with community efforts to help the environment
and start your own projects. Promote the necessity for environmental
awareness.
- Work with other groups while trying to begin. You will be
surprised at the amount of concern and help people are willing
to give.
- Always remember that it is your responsibility to educate
the public about environmental problems. Don't be discouraged
if powerful people are not anxious to help you. They're frightened
to speak out. Simply explain the problem to them and then provide
solutions.
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Let the kids do all the talking. I know as
an adult, you feel that you must always remain in charge,
but until you learn how to empower young people to get involved
in their community, you will never obtain the feeling of
satisfaction and the secret of Save What's Lefts success.
* YMCA for all the U.S. turned us down because they couldn't
fathom allowing young people to control their destiny through
educational efforts. Aren't they for young people and their
future? One young adult will achieve more than 20 adult "environmental
nuts."
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- Let the kids do
all the talking. I know as an adult, you feel that you must
always remain in charge, but until you learn how to empower
young people to get involved in their community, you will never
obtain the feeling of satisfaction and the secret of Save What's
Lefts success. * YMCA for all the U.S. turned us down because
they couldn't fathom allowing young people to control their
destiny through educational efforts. Aren't they for young
people and their future? One young adult will achieve more
than 20 adult "environmental nuts."
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Media support can save your job if it's for your side, but
make sure you're right. Research...research...research... then
react. The media has saved my job twice!
- When preparing a news release include: who, what, when, where,
and why. When writing a news release, you should just about write
the article for the newspaper or media. Put everything that explains
your activity but don't go into a long history lesson. Remember
that they will edit.
- News releases should be typed and double-spaced.
- When an event is over, you can also follow up in your school
newsletter with an article about its success.
- Always contact newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, etc.
ahead of time. I've been told that a two week notice is required.
That is really hard to do since all environmental picketing seems
to be a last minute effort. That is why research and keeping
all you kids and adults eyes open to what will happen in the
future. You must become environmental futurist.
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Remember, to keep articles and use them in
displays.
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When dealing with media, THINK before
you speak! Remember to let the student speak to the media
as much as possible.
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If you do not know the answer to a question,
say you don't know, but you'll find out.
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Stay within
the law. If you feel that the law is wrong, work with your
Legislators to change it.
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Possibly role-play interviews with students, then work out
correct and true responses.
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If you do not know what the question is saying, ask the
reporter to rephrase the question.
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If no one seems to be listening to you,
and as a last resort, you can PICKET! We had to... several
times, now people come to us for advice and we were originally "just a bunch
of kids." The Governor of Florida has even asked us
for advice.
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Read about your local laws before attempting to picket. The
reason for this is to protect the kids from getting injured
or prosecuted - not to scare you away from protesting.
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Remember, you're in America, and if you don't use your
rights you'll lose 'em.
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Contact the group that you're about to picket. They sometimes
come around pretty quick when you tell them that they are going
to be on the 6:00 o'clock news. Again, make sure you're
right!!
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Make sure the signs are large enough to be read from a moving
car.
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Something that worked for us was to
make action words continue from one road sign to the next
as you drive down the road. For
example, imagine seeing the following, in order, as you
drive:
" PLEASE HELP US "
" SAVE THESE TREES "
" S T O P "
(large red letters)
"AND SIGN" |
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