Tactic 101s | Community Meetings
Here’s an overview of Community Meetings - the purpose they serve and how to plan your own. Feel free to drop your thoughts and experiences with community meetings in the comments.
Purpose of a Community Meeting
- Share information and stories
- Create a plan or action collectively
- Solicit input and feedback from community members
- Show community power
AT LEAST 3 WEEKS OUT
- Set goal attendance
- Confirm a location, date, and time
- When you call a venue, here’s the ask:
- Can we have a public meeting at your location? We are expecting [x] people from [insert time].
- If you have a volunteer who is helping to set up/recruit, confirm the above with them and ask them to give you a list of folks they are inviting
- Invite any guest speakers
- Promote on social media, emails, community boards, etc
AT LEAST 2 WEEKS OUT
- Set up a phonebank to recruit. Check out Tactic 101s | Phonebanking for a helpful guide
- Continue to promote on social media
- Involve press and traditional media if you choose
AT LEAST 1 WEEK OUT
- Share event on social media
- Send reminder email
- Call and confirm with venue
- Set meeting agenda and confirm with facilitators or guest speakers
DAY BEFORE
- Confirm again with venue
- Make sure meeting facilitators or guests have all necessary materials
- Make confirmation calls to attendees
DAY OF (before)
- Check in with venue about what space is set up for the event if wasn’t crystal clear the day before
DAY OF (after)
- Thank the people who attended and share next steps for engagement
- Share successes on social/traditional media
