| One of the first and most effective ways to inform the voter
is a speakers bureau. Start calling now to try to get a slot
on the program of every organization in the community in September
or October. Ask for three minutes at the beginning of the
meeting to give your message. If the organization wants a
full program, make sure they understand that League will only
present its position opposing a constitutional convention.
To set up speaking engagements, begin by getting a list of
local organizations from your city hall, library, or Chamber
of Commerce. Most communities have such a list which will
give you a contact name and phone number.
Getting the message out via the media is also essential.
Do you have a local radio station? How about local cable?
It may not seem that local stations have large audiences,
but someone listens to them and they may be people you may
not be reaching any other way. Try to determine which programs
would be the most appropriate for this campaign and ask them
to give you time to talk about Con Con. If there are call-in
shows, call in with the League’s Con Con talking points.
Meet with the editor of your local newspaper to explain the
League's position on Con-Con and ask for an editorial published
shortly before the election opposing Con Con. Encourage the
paper to do a feature story about the League and its Con-Con
campaign and to cover the meetings where your League will
be making presentations about Con-Con. Send a letter to the
editor from your president, and enlist as many members as
possible to write letters individually as well. Be prepared
to respond quickly both online and by U.S. mail to letters
to the editor and/or opinion columns which support the Con
Con ballot.
Be prepared with fliers or palm card/door knocker
pieces to hand out to participants at every event
you can, especially at meetings where you are presenting information.
Ask your members to take materials to the other groups they
belong to and pass them out to their neighbors.
And don't forget to use technology to help you spread the
word. Ask all your members to distribute emails to their friends
and neighbors with messages opposing the Con-Con ballot. Use
appropriate blogs to spread our message.
Most importantly, make sure you educate and arm your
own members with as much of this campaign information as you
can, so that every member can join in to advocate
for our position. Use emails, announcements at meetings, articles
in your newsletter, etc. to make sure they know what our position
is and why, and to keep them up to date on your campaign activities.
Refer them to the LWVIL web site for these materials and updates
as they are posted.
Remember that none of these strategies can be used in conjunction
with voter service strategies, such as voter registration
or candidate forums (unless materials are outside the meeting
room).
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