Mobilize: Starting a Grassroots Movement Starts with You

There are many issues facing us today and with the upcoming election, a lot of issues are going to be debated. Are you going to remain silent or are you going to stand for something your feel strongly about. To mobilize a grassroots effort, it only takes a few simple steps. If you see an injustice, find others who want to make changes, set goals, spread the word, and ask for help.  That’s all it takes!

RECRUIT

The best place to start is in organizations to which you belong already such as sororities/fraternities, social clubs, churches, and alumni associations.  Recruit several willing people who will commit to at least three to six months of dedicated action that will support a goal.  Encourage volunteers to share their personal experiences and personal connection to the movement. For instance, if a woman has felt the stings of unequal pay, she should share her testimony with the group.  This information will prove to be valuable when setting goals.

SET GOALS

Developing a primary goal is essential to invigorating your fledgling group.  To create buy-in, ask each recruit what he/she believes is a key issue. For example, for the Mike Brown incident, the goal may be to reduce police brutality and racial profiling in the African American community while building trust between the community and the police. Seems daunting, but if your group scales it to a local level while reaching out to similar groups via social media around the country, it can spread like wildfire.

POUND THE PAVEMENT

While social media is an extremely useful communication tool, it can also give an unrealistic assessment of support for an issue. Clicking “like” is extremely noncommittal when trying to broaden your base of active participants. Making contact through phone calls, door-to-door, and by sending personal emails to close friends will garner more committed supporters in the long run. Organizing community events and participating in established events are opportunities to bring a captive audience to you. It will be most appropriate to recruit and provide takeaways during these events. How many people have registered to vote just because an organization decided to set up a “Get Out the Vote” table?

ASK

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The appeal of using social media is that fact that the communication is free. Yet, there are free or inexpensive ways to print up materials to hand out to raise awareness. The more organized and goal-oriented a movement is, the more resources will be made available to them by others who support the cause. There are business owners within the organizations that you recruited from who may not be willing to attach their names or time to the cause, but will support by covering printing costs or provide in-kind service donations. You never know how effective a “Stop Bullying” campaign will be by just passing out cards that raise awareness.  Just ask!

REPEAT

Lastly, it is integral to remain courageous and focused.  You have the power and connections to recruit, set goals, get the word out, ask, and persevere for the cause.  As Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote states, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

By the way...VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4TH! 

It's Time to "Fall" in Love!

It is amazingly easy to meet new people in the summer. Everyone is traveling, and you can strike up conversation with complete strangers on a plane or in an out-of-town restaurant. But, now that fall is in full swing, the usual routine is solidified once again...or is it? If you are looking to find a sweetie in time for winter snuggling, this is the definitive list just for you.

1. Sports Bars - Have you heard that it is football season? On any given Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, sports bars and grills are filled with men. Take your pick! If you are not an avid football fan, you must know at least a little about the game.  You don't want to be conspicuously clueless, but be willing to learn. This will be a definite ego booster for a man who can be your personal instructor.  If you are genuinely into football, even better. Wear you team's colors proudly and be ready for some cute trash talk.  Don't be too much like one of the guys, but balance your love of the sport with you love of being feminine.  You can do it!

2. Harvest Festivals (Any festivals come to think of it!) - Fall brings all types of festivals, and with the weather becoming more crisp, bad hair days are gone.  Most festivals will bring out the family set, so be meticulous about which ones you chose to find a cutie to flirt with.  Anything with face painting may not be your festival of choice.  "Oktoberfests" and music festivals will usually draw a more mature crowd.  And, never pass up a wine tasting! If you can find a cognac tasting in your area, you will hit pay dirt! 

3. Lunch Break - Now that everyone is back from vacations, you can do a tour of area restaurants during your lunch break.  Pick one or two eateries to try each week with coworkers or solo.  You are guaranteed to meet someone new in no time.

4. Homecoming - Yes, you should attend your homecoming. No, you do not have to lose 100 pounds in two months. Maybe, just maybe, you'll either rekindle an old friendship or meet someone new.

5. Coffee Shops - New flavors, new treats, who knows who you'll meet!  Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and all things yummy pop up in coffee shops. You're not the only one who will stop in to get limited time fare. That special someone may just have a taste for a latte the morning you pop in after reading this list.

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6. Amusement Parks - If you are not the faint at heart, you should try amusement park Halloween transformations.  You’ll be running for your life from chainsaw wielding mad men! You’ll need someone to save you, so keep a lookout for single fellows to the rescue.  The thrill of it all will help you bond with your new acquaintance.  

7. Volunteer - The fall brings about opportunities to pack food trucks, sort canned goods from food drives, and other altruistic endeavors leading up to the holidays.  Strong arms and caring hearts of available men will be involved. You can help feed the hungry while satisfying your own man hunger!

There are many more places to go and meet new people, but these seven will be a good start.  The key is to stay on the move. Don't slump back in the house because the days are getting shorter and colder.  Take advantage of the events and activities unique to this time of year.  By this winter, you'll be cozied up by the fire with your new sweetie thinking about how wonderful a fall you had. Will you plan a summer wedding?