Start an Organization
Why start an organization?
There’s power in numbers. Organizations, whether explicitly political or not, serve to unify a group of people around a cause. When there’s a need to be met, an organization can provide large amounts of help, support, and funding quickly. Organizations serve as pre-selected groups of people who agree about a topic, and thus can serve as powerful engines for change in their communities.
Organizations don’t have to be political to make political change. For example, an organization whose main mission is to help animals might focus on adoption drives, shelter volunteering, and fundraising for most of the year. However, if a new animal cruelty initiative is proposed, the organization becomes a source of support for the cause. The organization could endorse the law, contribute funding to getting it on the ballot, provide volunteers to encourage people to vote for it, and display yard signs to raise awareness.
In addition, studies show that volunteering and participating in community organizations increases civic participation. By joining an organization, people gain a sense of responsibility to help their community. A person’s interactions through an organization often develop skills that they later use for political participation.
Start small
Before you start your own organization, first check to make sure there isn’t already one for your cause in your area. If you live in a major metro area, chances are there’s already an organization that you can join. If there isn’t one in your area, it’s your chance to start your own. If you find a similar one in a different area of the state, consider reaching out to team up. When you get started, remember that most organizations started out as just a few members. If you know people that share an interest with you, invite them to all do something together. You can all start volunteering, raising money for a cause, and participating in events together. Encourage members to invite other people they know, and invite people you meet while working with your new group.
Once your core group communicates regularly and has a core group of regular participants, come up with a name and motto for your group. Armed with your new name and motto, you can start to plan events. Promote your event in local classifieds, community bulletin boards, and at businesses who support your cause. When you host the event, collect contact information from attendees. That way, you’ll have a list of people to recruit into your organization. Use contact information wisely--don’t overwhelm recipients. Consider sending out an organization newsletter to both members and nonmembers.
Dream big
Keep an eye on political happenings related to your organization’s cause, and keep your members informed about how they can get involved. Reach out to political community leaders to find out how you and your organization can help. You can distribute information about related happenings in your organization newsletter, or at meetings and events.
As your organization grows, consider taking bigger steps toward making it a major organization. If fundraising is in the future for your organization, think about applying for tax-exempt status. It may be worth hiring an attorney to advise you about what steps you should take to make sure the organization can continue long into the future. Your organization could become known locally for an annual event like a 5k or a gala, or it could be known for consistent, small acts all year long.
There’s power in numbers. Organizations, whether explicitly political or not, serve to unify a group of people around a cause. When there’s a need to be met, an organization can provide large amounts of help, support, and funding quickly. Organizations serve as pre-selected groups of people who agree about a topic, and thus can serve as powerful engines for change in their communities.
Organizations don’t have to be political to make political change. For example, an organization whose main mission is to help animals might focus on adoption drives, shelter volunteering, and fundraising for most of the year. However, if a new animal cruelty initiative is proposed, the organization becomes a source of support for the cause. The organization could endorse the law, contribute funding to getting it on the ballot, provide volunteers to encourage people to vote for it, and display yard signs to raise awareness.
- Initiative: laws that are proposed and signed into law by the citizens, not elected officials
In addition, studies show that volunteering and participating in community organizations increases civic participation. By joining an organization, people gain a sense of responsibility to help their community. A person’s interactions through an organization often develop skills that they later use for political participation.
Start small
Before you start your own organization, first check to make sure there isn’t already one for your cause in your area. If you live in a major metro area, chances are there’s already an organization that you can join. If there isn’t one in your area, it’s your chance to start your own. If you find a similar one in a different area of the state, consider reaching out to team up. When you get started, remember that most organizations started out as just a few members. If you know people that share an interest with you, invite them to all do something together. You can all start volunteering, raising money for a cause, and participating in events together. Encourage members to invite other people they know, and invite people you meet while working with your new group.
Once your core group communicates regularly and has a core group of regular participants, come up with a name and motto for your group. Armed with your new name and motto, you can start to plan events. Promote your event in local classifieds, community bulletin boards, and at businesses who support your cause. When you host the event, collect contact information from attendees. That way, you’ll have a list of people to recruit into your organization. Use contact information wisely--don’t overwhelm recipients. Consider sending out an organization newsletter to both members and nonmembers.
- Tip: Order t-shirts, hats, or stickers with the organization’s name and motto to make it feel official and get your name out there.
Dream big
Keep an eye on political happenings related to your organization’s cause, and keep your members informed about how they can get involved. Reach out to political community leaders to find out how you and your organization can help. You can distribute information about related happenings in your organization newsletter, or at meetings and events.
As your organization grows, consider taking bigger steps toward making it a major organization. If fundraising is in the future for your organization, think about applying for tax-exempt status. It may be worth hiring an attorney to advise you about what steps you should take to make sure the organization can continue long into the future. Your organization could become known locally for an annual event like a 5k or a gala, or it could be known for consistent, small acts all year long.
- Tip: contact your local media before a major event and pitch it to them as a story.