29. Initial Administrative Actions

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PLANNING A NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION (Part 2)

Choosing an action headquarters (operation center)

1. Locating a place for participants to meet before and after the vigil is optimal.

2. Welcoming churches or GLBT community centers may be willing to be “Soulforce central” before and after the event.

3. Make sure to obtain all appropriate permissions from the staff, including the permission to use the phone or other equipment or facilities.

4. Also make sure that the building is open at the proper times and that it is secured and in good shape when you leave.

5. Having participants meet together immediately before the action – and going to the site together – also is optimal. That way, last-minute changes can be communicated most easily and parking can be coordinated.

Being “upfront”

1. Let other municipal authorities as appropriate know of your plans. Call the mayor’s office and offer to meet with mayoral staff.

2. Send a follow-up letter, thanking him/her for the meeting and promising to stay in touch if changes occur.

 

Recruiting participants

1. E-mail lists are probably the best way to recruit participants for a local action.

2. Also consider making a simple flyer announcing the vigil and posting it in the local GLBT bookstore or other GLBTQ•friendly establishments.

3. You may decide to ask potential participants to “register” their intent to participate so you can communicate with them regarding the plan as it develops.

4. Anytime you get together with potential participants, make sure to get their name, phone number and e-mail addresses.

 

Developing a theme

1. Create a theme that states your purpose clearly, succinctly without jargon (words or phrases outsiders might not understand)

 

2. If there are sister or similar organizations across the state or the nation asking for similar
change you might consider using the common theme that has developed: “End the War on…” “Let the Dreamers Come Home,” “Stop Spiritual Violence,”

 

3. Encourage participants to use the theme when describing the vigil to others, particularly the media; then, participants can provide examples from their own lives of what that theme means to them.

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