STEP SIX: Launch the Electronic
Crusade. From creating a political web site to
sending out emails and posting legislative alerts, you can trigger reform.
Develop an electronic Call-to-Action
which includes details on the proposed legislative or policy reform, lists
of appropriate elected officials or decision-makers to be contacted, sample
text to be included in lobbying messages, and facts to bolster your argument.
Launch an electronic petition drive.
Encourage supporters to email you with a brief message, signature block,
and specified subject line. Then compile the messages by cutting
and pasting into word processing. The full collection of electronic
petition can then be printed for hand delivery or sent as an attachment
to decision-makers.
Think creatively about dramatic ways to spread your message and influence
change. For example, your web site might include downloadable
and printable paper dolls dressed in the distinctive fabrics
of Guatemala. For a campaign to protest the United States' intervention
in Central American, the dolls could be hand-colored and snail-mailed to
legislators. As other possibilities, you might have downloadable fliers,
fact sheets, logos, and web banners.
Use your web site as an online educational
forum. Post responses received from legislators. Include
a feedback form, chat room, or guestbook survey to encourage discussion.
Provide reciprocal links to organizations working on similar issues. |
