1. Building a Broader Base

It will take a large and diverse movement of people to prove to Congress that Americans want a new foreign policy. To achieve success organizers will need to forge alliances with groups of people that—together—Congress can’t ignore. These groups include women, Latino/a communities, African American communities, faith communities, labor organizations, Democratic voters and locally elected officials. Admittedly, these are broad generalizations: local organizers must identify specific organizations and individuals to recruit in their own communities.

Here's How: 1. Identify organizations to recruit. Whose endorsements will help get the attention of members of Congress? 2. Make contact. Send information about the Campaign for a New Foreign Policy to one of the group’s key decisionmakers. 3. Schedule a meeting. Ask your contact for a short meeting to discuss the campaign (10 to 15 minutes should do). 4. Make the case. Why is it in their interest to sign on to the campaign? 5. Get the endorsement. You can use the endorsement sheet on the following page. If they can’t sign on right away, find out the best way to follow up.

Recruit an Endorsement
One of the best ways to broaden the base for a new foreign policy is to request a formal endorsement from an organization that represents an important block of voters. Getting an endorsement from this type of organization lends credibility to the campaign, helps you recruit individuals, and gets the notice of members of Congress.

You can also make an impression by getting prominent individuals to endorse the campaign. This will be most effective if the individuals you sign on represent others, or if they are leaders in the community.

You can use our endorsement sheet or groups can endorse online.

Build the Relationship
After you’ve gotten an endorsement for the campaign, you’ll want to discuss other ways to build the relationship you’ve just begun. Below are some additional ways that you and and other organizations, or community groups, can work together.

Lobbying
Ask your contact to join a specific congressional visit, or ask them to take a Congressional pledge on one of their own visits.

Organizing Resources
When you meet with someone at an organization, make sure to ask them for the names of other community leaders that you can approach. If you represent a membership organization, you could also propose a list-trade of your members or contacts. Some groups may be able to help you with phone banks, volunteers, or (especially in faith communities) could make a donation to the campaign: in faith communities you could ask for a special collection for this cause.

Help Get the Word Out
There are many ways that other organizations and community groups can help get the word out. You can ask them for space in their newsletters; to hand out your literature; to help fund a newspaper ad; to co-author an op-ed; to include a bulletin in their next mailing; to speak at an upcoming event; to join a speakers bureau, and more!

Keep in Touch
Keep in touch with endorsing organizations by sending updates about the progress of your campaign. Take special care to note how they have helped you acheive success.

And don’t forget to keep in touch with the Peace Action Education Fund. Let us know when you get an endorsement by sending a message to our Organizing Director, Beth Fitzgerald, or call (301) 565-4050.

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