Any grassroots effort requires the participation of motivated, energized volunteers. As a grassroots organizer, you can find volunteers through a variety of methods. Once you have a crew of dedicated volunteers, you can start organizing larger outreach activities in your community. It is critical that you share your data with the Clark04 campaign LINK.

Here are some suggestions for developing your volunteer chapter. We want to hear your ideas, too. Tell us about your success!

The best place to start a grassroots organization is to contact the people you know. Networking is a great way to bring new members to your group because those who know you best trust you and will support your efforts.

Start with your family. Don’t limit yourself to only immediate family. Think about in-laws and extended family, too. Reach out to them and ask them to join you in supporting General Clark.

› Recruiting Tools

Next, reach out to your friends. Tell them about Clark and get them excited about taking action in their community. Explain that activism is fun and is a great way to make a difference. Remember, working together toward a common goal is also a great way to reconnect with old friends you have lost touch with over the years. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with people you haven’t spoken to in a while!

› Recruiting Tools

Finally, reach out to your colleagues. Who do you work with? Who do you do business with? Some of us come in contact with lots of people through our work. Personal relationships are often formed through professional relationships. Use these relationships, when appropriate, to spread the word about Clark and encourage your colleagues to volunteer.

›Recruiting Tools

Once you’ve gathered a core group of supporters, it’s time to find new volunteers! There are numerous ways to find activists in your community.

One of the best ways to meet new supporters is to join a Clark04 Meetup in your area. Go to Clark 2004 Meetup to join. If you are already a Meetup member, download and distribute flyers advertising Meetup in your neighborhood here. You can also download volunteer registration forms, contribution forms, and flyers that can be used at Meetup.

Another suggestion for meeting new volunteers is to staff a table at a public event such as a festival, county fair, or farmer’s market. Public events are great places to pass out information on Clark and get new volunteers.

First, make sure you have secured permission, if permission is required, to set-up a table. Then, download information on Clark to distribute. Make home-made signs to advertise your Clark table or purchase official campaign signs. You can even download the Clark04 graphic to make large banners for your table! If you make a banner, please use a union printer to reflect Clark’s support of unions. You can also bring a laptop or desktop computer and download Clark videos to play at your table.

Speak politely to those who approach your table. Stay positive and encourage supporters to volunteer. After you gather names of interested volunteers, always follow through. Email or call them and thank them for volunteering. If you have future events planned, tell them about the events and give them a way to contact you if they have questions.

Don’t forget to empower volunteers. If a volunteer wants to organize an activity or a meeting, help them. The need for grassroots leaders is unlimited.

Flyer
A third suggestion is to place flyers around your community to advertise your volunteer group. Don’t forget to include your contact information! Again, make sure you have permission to post the flyer. Some public kiosks and public boards allow anyone to post flyers, but some are restricted. Make your own flyer or use one of the official Clark for President flyers. If you make your own flyer, be sure to note on the flyer that your flyer is not an official communication of the Clark campaign. Click here to see examples of flyers other organizers have made!

Wear Clark Gear
A final way you can gather new supporters is to wear your Clark for President gear. Shirts, stickers, and buttons are great ways to advertise for Clark. You’ll be surprised by how many people approach you to find out more information!