Petitioning

Petitioning is an effective way to reach many people through one-on-one contact.

What Petitioning Can Accomplish:

• Demonstration of wide support for your cause.
• Education of the public.
• Creation of visibility for your issue.
• Training activists in basic organizing skills.
• Identifying and recruiting new activists to join your effort.

The success of the petition drive depends on a short, well-planned and concerted effort. It is important to establish a specific timeline and numerical goal for the petition drive as well as for each individual petitioner.

Materials needed include petitions; pens and tracking forms for the number of petitions out and the number of signatures turned in.

Establish a strategy of where to petition. The most trafficked areas are the most obvious spots-major walkways, supermarkets, events, concerts, etc. However, you may need to alternate spots to reach the widest range of people and you may need to petition at different spots at different times of the day.

Helpful Hints for Petitioning

• Approach people with a short, upbeat introduction.
• Make sure each person reads and understands the petition before signing.
• Answer questions concisely.
• Get the address; telephone number, e-mail and other pertinent information from each signer for further follow up.
• Identify enthusiastic signers, and get them involved.
• Be friendly and courteous in your approach.

A sample petition can be found in Appendix iv.