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Comms for your action (internal)

When planning an action, you need to think about:

  • How to mobilise your group and supporters to participate in the action (that's what this page)page is about)
  • How to get the message out to the public, or whoever your audience is (see this page)

There are two types of communicationIf you maywant people to turn up to your action, you need to consider.win Internalthem commsover. areThat's thosea thatcombination areof between rebels, making sure everyone hasselling the vision, reassuring people, and communicating the practical details.

There is loads of advice on how to run really good 'internal comms' here. You can also put out information theyabout needthe includingaction potentialon participants.your Externalsocial commsmedia arechannels.

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Mobilisation Messaging

So far in planning this action you have thought about the action's message - this is the message you want the action to send to the widerintended public,audience. forBut examplenow onhave sociala mediathink about the "mobilisation" message...this is the message you want to send to your members and throughsupporters in advance of the press.

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critical particularly for mass participation actions. With your team, think

Think about the narrative behind the action.action What- what will get people excited and wanting to take part? And think about how they will sign up, stay connected, and receive all the key info. You need a simple, compelling message - including a clear call to action (a way to sign up or commit). This is particularly important for mass participation actions.

Comms Channels

This call to action can be communicated through appropriately secure channels such as Signal chats or emails through Action Network. Or it could be through a recruitment meeting to get people excited and thinking about what role they might take. We want it to be as quick and easy as possible for new people to join us at actions.

  • Keep it local - An outreach talk about the actions happening in your area
  • Make it personal - Invite rebels to sign up to the action. If you can, phone them in advance, explain the plan and ask what they’d need to come e.g. info on legal rights, risk, toilets, access etc

Ten committed new people joining your next action is worth so much more than a thousand sitting on a mailing list!

It’s useful to provide a document with relevant links and articles to participants so they can inform themselves of an issue and understand the talking points. Particularly if they are providing quotes or speaking to a camera.

Comunicating with the team

You will need to decide which tools to use for your coordination group and which tools for the wider attendees. Guidance on this kind of 'internal comms' is here

Do you need to appoint an M&M link or someone who will hold the tasks relating to M&M. Establish how the team and link roles will communicate. Is that through attending a weekly meeting? Will they stay updated via a chat? Does someone from the planning team need to attend another circle or sit in another chat?

A document with top line info that can be kept up-to-date and shared easily is very helpful to cut out unnecessary questions & confusion.

Information for participants

If it is an XRUK action you may have support from XRUK M&M (Media and Messaging). See 'How to get your content promoted by XRUK'. They can provide guidance on what comms are appropriate and may help develop messaging. Be aware this may lengthen the process as they will need to plan the work and have processes in place. So link up with them as early as possible to find out deadlines and agree the messaging. (Note: M&M will advise you on the messaging so it’s best to be prepared to compromise so you can reach an agreement as quickly as possible). This may effect art assets, for example banners so get this sorted before making or commissioning anything else.

For all actions:

  • Remember to add the event to the Movement Calendar and hence the Actions Map. This should include specific meeting point details, and a way to contact you for further details. Even better, get people to register via Action Network so we capture potential new rebels.
    It is a very good idea to check that your action is displaying correctly on the map and that the links work.

  • Ensure you have a plan for who you are hoping will get involved and how are you going to communicate with them.

    • For closed (secure) elements, this is likely to be a signalSignal chat with those who have roles. It’s best to separate those who are at higher risk of arrest from those who are not, to protect them.

    • For open (public) actions or actions which have both open and closed elements, you may want to set up a telegramTelegram channel so you can communicate relevant info and get everyone excited about the action. AdvertiseThis thiscan inbe othera relevantbroadcast chats.

      chat

    • You can also put out information about the action on social media or via email on Action Network.

    • Appointappoint at least 3three adminadmins and keep on top of messages, replying to questions and keeping the vibe going.

      • Get people to register via Action Network (this is helpful in that new people will be added to your mailing list)
      • As details come together, send them out on the mailing list - AND keep your automated welcome email up to date, so that new joiners don't miss out on anything
      • Add the event to the Movement Calendar (which will automatically put it on Event Map). This should include specific meeting point details, a way to contact you for further details, and a link to sign up. Test that your action displays correctly on the map and that the signup links work.
      • Create a chat where people can ask questions and/or receive updates. Include details for joining this chat in the automated welcome email.
      • Try to phone rebels signing up for the action in advance, explain the plan and ask what they’d need to come, e.g. info on legal rights, risk, toilets, access etc. The likelihood of somebody attending increases significantly if they get a call from you

      If you’re planning anything that could risk arrest (including conspiracy) make sure admins are anonymous (via the settings). If you are seen as organisers you may put a target on your back for arrest.

      • Recruiting

    new
    • members

An action can also be a great opportunity to recruit new members into your group. It is an immediate, exciting thing to get involved in. Ten committed new people joining your next action is worth so much more than hundreds sitting dormant on a mailing list!

Always make it to be as quick and easy as possible for new people to join us at actions.

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