As there’s lots of new people getting involved in our local Greenpeace group, I thought I’d write a quick blog on how to organise a GP event. This isn’t meant to be definitive, and all events are different, but hopefully this will be a handy check list.
A stall (on the high street, at a local fair etc):
- Materials* – Anders gets sent materials from HQ so check whether he’s got enough, if not you’ll need to order from supporter services via getactive@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8289. Let them know what materials you need, how many, when by and where to deliver to. As well as the action card or whatever, you might also want additional materials about GP, financial supporter forms, campaign briefings etc.
- Briefings* – so you can explain to others on the stall what its all about and answer any tricky questions, either sent out with the materials, or if you’re a member of the Key Activist group on the website, check the latest Activist News for online links - http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/groups/key-activists/blog/key-activist-news
- Collecting tin* – not essential but often people want to give some money, and who are we to refuse!
- Folding table* - useful to spread materials out on, store bags underneath, and so people know who we are. However not essential and a bit of a pain for whoever has to bring it and take it home, so think about just using clipboards instead.
- Table cover* – to make the table look pretty and so people know who we are
- Tshirts / tabards* - helps to get people to sign up as it makes us look more official and so they know who we are (and make sure you collect them in after and wash them if needed).
- Clipboards, pens, colouring pens* etc – depending on what’s needed for the activity
- Camera – useful to take a few photos for the blog and Facebook etc
- Gazebo* – not needed for street stalls but good for festivals
- String, sellotape etc – can be useful for decorating, repairing etc the gazebo
- Bag/ envelope – to put the completed action cards in, keep things dry etc
* the group usually has all these things, ask Anders, Lucy or Julia, and make sure you can get things off them before the event if they aren’t coming.
Stickering
- Just the stickers (see above on ordering materials)
- And briefing, to include legal briefing
Event details:
- Where: find somewhere easy for group members to get to, for stalls you’ll want somewhere with a high footfall, for stickering, somewhere with lots of target stores nearby.
- When: you might want to set up a doodle poll (doodle.com) to see when people are available. We’ve found that weekends are better than after work for getting cards signed as people are in less of a rush, and for stickering (too many staff sorting shelves, not enough customers to blend in with). Things quieten down around lunch so try and get a few hours in before or after.
- Contact phone numbers: if you’re happy to give your number out online then that’s easiest, otherwise ask people to email you for your number.
- Pub after: the most important bit?! You might want to go for a drink afterwards to debrief, warm up etc
Promotion:
- Set up a Facebook event* and post details on the group wall (https://www.facebook.com/groups/swlondonGP/ or search for southwest London Greenpeace)
- Set up an event on the SW London group on the GP website - http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/groups/london-south-west and send a mail to the group via the website*
- If you want to let the rest of the London groups know, post to greenpeacelondonkeyactivists@yahoogroups.com*
* NB you might need admin privileges to do this, ask Anders, Lucy or Julia to post.
After the event:
- Thank people, let them know about the next meeting, maybe go to pub for debrief.
- You might want to write a blog and/or post some photos on the SW London group on the GP website and Facebook, it helps new members know what we get up to and that we’re still active.
- Don’t forget to post the action cards etc to the target/ Greenpeace.
If they’re to an MP, most people don’t know their MP so make sure they’ve put their postcode, then you can look them up here - http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/
Good luck and enjoy!
And if you have any other suggestions, then please add in the comments field below.
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