Whether you’re a formal group or a network (or even better, both!), it’s important to act as a network. Build formal and informal ties with other groups. Some suggestions:
Partnering with Other Student Groups
There are a myriad of sympathetic student groups on campus that will support your campaign. It’s important to reach out to them, to ask for their support, and to reciprocate by attending their events and/or endorsing their campaigns. Initially, do not ask too much of other groups until you have established a foundational relationship. Attend their meetings and events, build relationships with their members, invite them to your meetings to present their group, and hang out together. Much of this type of coalition building is informal; it is about building and deepening relationships—both personal and working ones.
Once you feel these relationships are sufficiently developed and strong, you can ask them to cosponsor an event (see Effective Events section for more on this) or sign-on to a letter that formally proclaims their group’s support for your campaign. This type of sign-on letter—an explicit and public endorsement of your campaign by other student groups demonstrates to your primary target that you are not a parochial, isolated, or small group of students, but rather, a coalition and a movement. It carries great weight.
In addition to social justice groups, don’t forget to approach Greek life groups, organizations with a regional or global focus, and minority interest groups that are affected by your issue.
Partnering with Community and Religious Organizations
These can be approached in much the same way as student groups. Often students in your group are already members of these groups, and can address these organizations and ask for their support. These organizations are often more amenable to writing individual letters on behalf of their organization to the primary target rather than sign onto a form letter. This method is persuasive and effective as well.
These organizations often can provide financial support and are willing to cosponsor events with student organizations. Take advantage of their resources, contacts, advice, and support!
Approaching Student Government
Student governments can be a boon to any campaign. Beyond having funds that students can access to underwrite a campaign, their resolutions are powerfully symbolic and have far-reaching effects. Discuss your campaign with interested student government representatives to take the pulse of the student government. Are they interested in introducing, sponsoring, or supporting a resolution related to your cause? Do not, however, try to push through a resolution that will not pass; it will be detrimental to your campaign. If it is possible, pass the resolution, but also take advantage of the resources, influence, and contacts of your student government.
Student governments usually grant money to student groups in the form of an operating budget. They also, usually, have a special allocation request process, which is simply a mechanism for obtaining funds to put on an event—for example, to cover the costs of renting a room, sound equipment, or other materials.
Partnering with Faculty and Staff Governments
Often faculty and staff have representative associations, such as a senate. These bodies can be approached and utilized in the same way as the student government—establish contact with a supportive representative, discuss the issue, and how the representative body can support your campaign. Also, academic departments often have funds available to help finance speaking events. Finally, at schools where the faculty and staff are unionized, you can ask these associations to endorse your campaign.
Partnering with Americans for Informed Democracy (AID): Network and $$
AIDemocracy has a vast network of students with whom you can collaborate. These students often have insights and experience with organizing events—what worked, what was unsuccessful, and a ton of other info. Contact us for help getting in touch with students in your area.
In addition, AIDemocracy has something more quantifiable: mini-grants. Explore the Programs tab on our webpage (www.aidemocracy.org) to see what grants your group is eligible for. Although not massive, these mini-grants will give you the financial means to buy the materials that will get you going, or augment and enhance your campaign.
