Networking

Certain individuals may have a great deal of influence over political decision-making. When joined with local opinion leaders and other respected members of the community, your message takes on greater credibility. You should reach out to allies outside the traditional environmental constituencies, and ask for their help to spread your message.

• Identify who the influential individuals are in your community. Find out whom, within your organization, currently has access to your target. Be realistic about whom you know and whom you can reach.
• Set specific goals on how you will cultivate these contacts.
• Continually add people to your list as you find out more information.
• Use every chance to increase access to individuals you have identified. Ask them to be part of your coalition, ask them to sign a letter-to-the-editor, ask them to speak at your next news conference, speak to your volunteers, or ask them to attend events.

Three possible networks to cultivate are:

1. The religious community
2. The medical community
3. The scientific community