Introduction
Chapter 1 — Social Action: An Overview
Social Action and Its Role on Colleges
Chapter 2 — Developing a Social Action Class
Course vs Co-Curricular & Prerequisites
Creating a Social Action Syllabus
Teaching Style & Classroom Norms
Role of Place & Each Semester v Every Year
Chapter 3 — Teaching Social Action (TSA) Model
Chapter 4 — Where Do We Go From Here?
Introduction
Once students have completed the Campaign Activities associated with Issue Development, Building Power, and Tactics and Strategy, it is now time for them to focus on doing a Campaign Action. The Campaign Kickoff (1st Action) is one of highlights of the course for a student group, and it is what everything has been building toward. Scott encourage students to start at a lower level of heat (i.e., pressure) to start, as this gives the students more flexibility to turn on higher heat later. Also, a good 1st Campaign Action is a Press Conference/Rally, where the students announce.
It is important that your student groups get to a Campaign Action, as this is when they can truly have a transformative experience. There are four key parts to a Campaign Action, and they include: (1) Planning for the Kickoff Event, (2) Recruitment, (3) Choosing of a Media Relations Coordinator, and (4) Writing a Press Release.
1. Planning for the Kickoff Event
- What’s going to happen?
- Who is going to do what at event?
- Who is going to speak?
- Who will make signs / hold signs behind speaker?
- Who will recruit for the event?
- Who will get a podium?
2. Recruitment for Kickoff Event
Have students create a Commitment Card, which is a process to encourage folks to come to the event (pg. 103). Increasingly, students are using with QR codes on their flyers for people to use to get to an online Commitment Card on a Google Form. In addition, encourage students to write on dry erase boards in classrooms and chalk on sidewalks to announce their kickoff event (pg. 104).Below are paper copies:
Students should also recruit at the event, and announce the next event.
3. Choose a Media Relations Coordinator
- This student will make sure that the media is alway being considered during the meetings, and implement the media plans implementation. In conjunction with the professor, they will develop media contacts. They will also take the lead in writing press releases. Students can put this on their resume.
- The media coordinator greets the reporters and introduces them to the groups members who are available for comment.
4. Write a Press Release
- The title of the press release is key (pg. 105)
- Students send their press release to the Assignment Desks (pg. 106). Once sent, have students should follow the process spelled out in the textbook (i.e., email the press release 4 days before the event, and then follow up with phone call, etc.)
- Professor should develop a media list, but only share the list with the students after their share their press release, so the prof can suggest edits.
- Below are several Press Releases from SJSU student campaigns:
To keep track of the Campaign Activities for a kickoff event, you may want to use the below worksheet. As always, feel free to make any edits you feel are necessary.
In light of our context, Scott recommends that:
- students doing Campaign Actions do not break the law through non-violent civil disobedience during the semester.
While this section on Campaign Kickoff provides the students the necessary information to launch their campaign, it takes about 2-3 weeks after they read it to actually do the Campaign Action. It is a good idea to attend the students’ Campaign Actions. The students are very appreciative if you do, and you can also play an important role by helping them work through any last minute questions and/or kinks. Here is Portfolio 7, which has the students explore how to hold a Campaign Kickoff, as well as student response:
Aa stated in Chapter 1E: Overcoming Challenges, two documents were presented on safety, which were created by TSA professors.
In addition, here is a a document created by the ACLU on Protester’s Rights.
Campaign Kickoff Videos
Students Against Sweatshops
Student Homeless Alliance (SHA)
Students Against Sexual Assault
Students For Filipino Farmworkers
Low Income Versus Elite (LIVE)
Gulf Coast Civic Works Project (GCCWP)
Gulf Coast Civic Works Project (student created)
Students for Racial Justice
Questions
- How will the skills and resources that you possess help your students with their campaign kickoff (e.g., creating a media list, contacts and persistence with the press, helping them to develop a captivating title for the press release, etc.)
Case Study
Scott posted on Mural Board the various campaign activities that the Students for Filipino Farmworkers would have to undertake to do a campaign kickoff, and then asked them to identify the team member who would do each.
Commitment Cards
Press Release
Fliers for the Event
Continue to Chapter 4: Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation