How to be an online environmental advocate
Imagine yourself as an activist with a tool kit. To get the school,
classes and even teachers involved, you have to have a pretty full tool
kit to come up with a plan to help the environment.
Here is your checklist for the things you need in your toolbox:
Website
Websites might sound complicated, but it all starts with a Web
address. Some Internet companies provide a limited amount of free
webspace, and can give you some tools to begin building the webpage.
Try sites like Geocities or Tripod.
When it comes to the site content, just remember that “less is
more.” This strategy is useful when faced with suggestions for large
graphics, software plug-ins for flashy animation and sound. Just say
no, and stick to your message.
The main tip is to identify first what message you want others to
know, and build your web page around that. Link it to the school
website for more hits. You might put in simple content, but it has to
be of quality.
Web tools
Email lists can be used to collaborate with Web tools to bring publicity to the school’s activism campaign. Web sites like eActivist, Idealist, HandsNet, and IGC's Internet Progressive Gateway
can add you to their list for free. Periodically surf the Web as well
so you can keep up-to-date on the newest websites, gimmicks, ideas to
assist you in your campaign.
Aside from email lists, web forums are also a good avenue for
communicating your cause. Members and supporters can post and respond
to messages. Forum One Communications Corporation has made its Forum One index available to the public at no charge.
Moreover, web portals connect organizations around the world. The Institute for Global Communications (IGC) can do wonders for your cause, as well as The Common Dreams Center or the Union of International Associations.
NGOs and organizations of the same mindset can provide the extra
boost you and your schoolmates need to really make a difference.
Membership
To have more students join you in your cause, your online efforts
should be included in your newsletters, events and emails so they will
know what you need. For existing volunteers, inform them beforehand how
to promote it to future members.
As more and more get involved in the school-wide online campaign,
give your members a report. Were their signatures successful? What did
they think of the campaign?
These days, there is also such a thing as Virtual Volunteering, so see if you can tap into that as well.
Newsletter
Since you’ve already had the email list, ask your campaign’s
supporters to sign up for the email newsletter. The website is actually
crucial to the newsletter effort so make it easy for people to sign up.
Resources
Just to give you an idea of online petitions, suggestions, articles, among others, here are some examples:
In the end, hopefully you can proudly call your school a green
school in its magnificent show of support for the environmental cause.
Sources:
“Environmental Advocacy.” Retrieved March 14, 2009 from
http://www.globalstewards.org/advocacy.htm
“The Virtual Activist.” Retrieved March 14, 2009 from
http://www.netaction.org/training/
Zaleski, Olivia. “Back to School: Become a Green School Advocate.” Retrieved March 14, 2009 from
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/back_to_school_3.php
(Published 30 March 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
