Network Building

One of the most important things we can do as a network of like minded people is to build out that base of support! It is one thing to identify people within your district, to support your cause, but it is quite a greater thing to have an organized network of supporters across the region.

Not all of your supporters will want to be involved in actions in the same way. Some will want to lead, or organize more support. Some will want to talk to the media. Some will want to tell their stories… Some may even want to run for school board! But if you collectively have a way to train, message, and activate our network, someone will likely always show up to help!

The goal here is to build your base of support to the best of your ability, and then you can join with other groups of supporters into a collective network that’s ready, willing and able to mobilize when the time is right.

It’s easiest to keep a spreadsheet to track your network. Here’s a template.

There are 5 pieces of an ask:

     ● Intro

     ● Issue

     ● Polarization/Agitation

     ● Vision

     ● Ask/Commitment

The structure is the same whether you are knocking on doors, making phone calls, or meeting with an elected official. Once you’ve practiced, you’ll be able to adapt your ask to any situation.

A couple of quick tips

     ● Grab your rolodex or address book and start there.

     ● Export all of your contacts in your email to a csv or excel spreadsheet and copy and paste into your spreadsheet and start asking people for their support

     ● Download all of your cell phone contacts

     ● Otherwise, just start brainstorming…

Your Personal Circle: Since we are working around school districts, you should likely begin thinking about your children's friends and school. Start listing out those folks first. Then you can move on to your own personal networks.

● Immediate Family and Friends (ALL of them)

     ○ Spouse and their friends

     ○ Children

     ○ Parents

     ○ Grandparents

     ○ Close Friends

     ○ Neighbors

● People from YOUR Elementary School – think of students, favorite teachers, principals, school board members, coaches, teammates, clubs, neighbors, etc

● People from YOUR Junior High School

● People from YOUR High School

● People from YOUR Undergraduate Institution– think of students, TAs, favorite professors, clubs, advisors, coaches, teammates, roommates, etc

● Post Graduate

● Current Employer(s) and Colleagues

● Past Employers and Colleagues (Every Job)

● Current and past boards and commissions

● Current and past volunteer organizations

● Spiritual or religious communities

● Service Clubs – Rotary, Kiwanis, Lyons, Legion, etc

● Social/Hobby Clubs – Wine, Sports, Book, Food, etc

● Online Social Networks – people who aren’t captured above

     ○ Social media, LinkedIn

● Personal Subcontractors (Insurance Agent, CPA, Attorney, Realtor, Stylist, Investment Banker, Car Dealer, Veterinarian, Doctors, Dentists, Travel Agent, Pet Sitters, etc.)