If you have decided to campaign you need to work out how you are going to go about acheiving your aims. Your first step should be to try and get a campaign group together. For more information on how you can do this read the guide on How do I start a group?
Once you have a group with active members all itching to get started, you need to come up with a plan to achieve your aims. Break your ultimate goal down into smaller steps. Don't start by planning a march to parliament. Try getting a petition going, then a small meeting.
The progress of every campaign is different and difficult to predict. However, below are some crucial aspects that will help you build a strategy and links to Action Network guides with further advice.
1. Researching the issue
You should know everything there is to know about your particular issue. That includes being fully aware of all the background, the major players, the relevant legislation or planning guidelines, government policy and similar campaigns or precedents for your action. One of the key charges that your opponents are likely to aim at you is that you don't understand the complexities of the issue. If you can show that you do, then they will have to listen to you.
The success of your campaign may depend on to what extent you can influence decision-makers. You will need to make yourself known to them and then keep in touch on a regular basis. You want your campaign to become one of the groups involved in future consultations on the issue. In this way, a successful campaign can slowly become one of the decision-makers.
The support of your local community will be invaluable. Whether support comes as signatures on a petition or bodies to swell a demonstration, it is an important sign of the popularity of your cause. A popular cause is more likely to be successful as politicians and project/programs would prefer not to upset people.
Getting positive media coverage is the other key for many successful campaigns. Not only will your cause get widespread exposure but the pressure begins to mount on the targets of your campaign.
However, attracting more attention means there is more scrutiny of what you say. Make sure you understand the law on defamation and libel. It could help you stay out of court. You can read the Action Network guide, How to avoid libel and defamation.
Campaigning in a coalition is joining together with other groups who are campaigning on a similar issue. You’ll be able to work together to build a coalition of both support and knowledge. Joining forces with another campaign group can help to achieve far more than you can on your own.
For its size, Britain has more charities, pressure groups, voluntary and public organisations than any other country in the world. So it would seem likely that there is a campaign group covering the issue that concerns you somewhere in the country. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has a list, or contact your local library for more help.
Call up the campaign organiser and arrange a meeting. Explain what you are doing and why you think the two groups should form a coalition. Try and give them an idea of what benefits you can offer them in return.
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