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Running a Local Group - Sat. 9am
Recruiting and engaging volunteers, running meetings, managing resources

Presenters: Dalal, Erenberg, Prescott

Debra Erenberg
Rainforest Action Network, www.RAN.org

I will focus on three things that are key for building a group that's sustainable over the long-haul:

1) Constant Outreach combined with a solid strategy for newcomer orientation and initiation

2) Productive Meetings, and

3) Leadership Development

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Eric Prescott
Director, Boston Vegan Association

Click here for a printable version of Eric's outline.

  1. Focus - what is the mission/goal of your group?

    i. Build membership/member development

        1. Community

        a. Support - Veganism as a "norm"

        b. Identify potential activists in the bunch
        1. Advocacy training

          1. Public speaking

          2. Member education: Reading/Study groups

    ii. Don't jump right into outreach until you have a strong sense of identity and direction. Don't just do "something," do the best thing. Be effective.

        1. Not every activity is right for every group. Know your members, know your audience/community.

    iii. Least amount of resources required to generate maximum returns

        1. Leafleting not the only thing you can do

        a. OVEDs/faunavision, meetups, feed-ins, speeches

        b. Get audience thinking and interacting with you

          i. be a part of community, not just a person on the street

        2. Don't waste resource on activities that do not do one of the following:

          a. Build vegan community

          b. Educate members and make them into strong activists

          c. Develop leadership

          d. Raise funds

2. Web presence (CMS: Drupal, Joomla)

    i. Visibility

    ii. Online community for local vegans.

    iii. Provides resources

        1. Forum, restaurant database, blog, org .news, mailing list and web links

3. Outlets

    i. Don’t forget to have fun once in a while (1x per mo. or 1x. per quarter)

      1. Potlucks, dining out, parties, hiking, etc.

      a) These events should be free, member paid, or fundraisers

      b) Don't lose focus