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Developing your campaign networks

Submitted by Hayley Richardson on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:34

Hi Everyone! Enjoying the discussions so far so thought I'd add one relevant to my current role.

As Campaigns Volunteer at CARE International UK, one of the ongoing projects I am about to undertake is to look into ways CARE can develop the quantity and quality of their campaigners. This is to coincide with a push for a much greater understanding within the team of the myriad uses of Raisers Edge!

Our campaigner numbers are relatively small however we think there is ample opportunity for a) increasing our recruitment of a more diverse membership and b) engaging more effectively with those already part of our CARE Action Network.

In addition, we currently have a number of campaign supporters who are our “core” activists and regularly take part in online and offline actions, so we are also interested in how we can best develop their abilities and enthusiasm even further.

I was just wondering if anybody on here has any experience of developing campaigner networks within an organisation and if you found any pitfalls to be avoided or recommendations to pass on.

Many thanks.

 

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eloisecampaigns's picture
Submitted by Eloise Shavelar on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:09.

Hi Hannah,

I am former user of Raisers Edge and it has a great ability to record supporter actions as well as financial support, as commonly used for. At my previous organisation we were starting to record campaigning actions so we could not only identify major donors but also major time-givers.

Through this exercise you will be able to build a greater understanding of your ‘core’ supporters who can play an important part in increasing your database, especially through digital activity e.g. The CARE Facebook and Twitter pages.

Along with activities to increase your database you should also explore taking your current supporters on a journey of engagement. The basic principle of this is to group your campaigners in to the following groups:

  • Followers – e.g. open/read an email
  • Connectors – e.g. forward to a friend or press the ‘like button’ on Facebook
  • Initiators – e.g. will write a blog piece or organise an info event

…then in all your communications you should provide an action for each type of supporter or through Raisers Edge tailor your communications and calls to action to each group – eventually making a follower a connector and a connector an initiator.

Your group of initiators will be your super campaigners and actions will need to be put in place to support them e.g. they receive extra communications or can attend annual meetings.

If you can sustain and develop you current supporter base in this way it will provide a great foundation when carrying out future recruitment drives.

It all sounds very exciting - I have just joined your facebook page!

nicola.gilbert's picture
Submitted by Nicola Gilbert on Tue, 05/04/2011 - 09:47.

Hi both,

Thanks for your message Hayley, and all your tips Eloise - really helpful!

Just wanted to signpost to some of our resources which might be useful if you haven't already seen them...

This page www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/involving-people links to a number of free guides and resources around involving people in your campaigns, including an In Focus guide on Involving people that matter (PDF 551KB), our Count me in web resource and case studies, and two joint guides with Bond: Beneficiary voice (PDF 577KB) and Inspiring supporter action (PDF 619KB).

Hope there's some good tips in there for you!

Nicola

Submitted by Matthew Herbert on Tue, 03/05/2011 - 18:11.

Hi,

 

I can't comment on Raisers Edge, but in general terms an error organisations often make is to stop asking themselves what's in it for the supporters. Every interaction you have with them needs to work both ways - you have information and specific asks you want to communicate to them. But you also have to be asking "What do they want from this? Why should they take pay any attention to this information or pick up on these asks?". Understanding what volunteers want, need and aspire to, as well as the limitations they face (time, technology etc) is at the heart of a strong relationship with networks.

And if you don't already know then you shouldn't be afraid to ask.

A couple of caveats...

  • it's easy to assume you know, but it's worth checking that assumption out regularly
  • if you're asking your Network what they need from you, ask a representative sample. There are usually a cluster of 'usual suspects' who have a good working relationship with the office. The temptation is always to ask them. But ask a few of the harder to reach folk too. You'll hear some interesting stuff

Of course there's so much more - facilitating peer-to-peer interaction and learning, building the Network's skills as well as its knowledge and commitment and so on.

Matthew

http://www.rhizome.coop

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