Table of Contents >
   Part I. Organizing for Effective Advocacy
(Chapters 3... >
      Chapter 33. Conducting a Direct Action Campaign >
         Section 17. Organizing a Boycott >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Organizing a Boycott

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Jenette Nagy Edited by Phil Rabinowitz and Kate Nagy

Tools
Checklist

Tools

Tool #1: Ghandi's guidelines for pickets and boycotts

(Taken from FACTNet, Inc.: http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/pcktguide.htm?FACTNet)

  1. Keep the moral high ground. There should be no distinction between ends and means.
  2. Stress non-violence. Be willing to absorb evil from the other side, but always maintain non-violence on your side.
  3. Keep the focus of the event narrow. Keep the goal simple and clear.
  4. Use the media wisely and carefully. The media are as essential as any other part of the event.
  5. Pay attention to details.
  6. Keep it cheap.
  7. Create your event in such a way that the other side will show its true colors .
  8. Rely on a core of people (but be happy with a large group).
  9. You have to have local people in your group.
  10. Aim for changing the hearts of your opponent, speaking to the members of the group, not the leaders.

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Checklist

Here, you'll find a checklist which summarizes the major points contained in the text.


__You understand the two ways boycotts work--by creating negative publicity and threatening to hurt an organization's bottom line.

__You know the difference between a primary and a secondary boycott.


You know the basic ways a boycott can be used:

__As an end in itself.

__To destroy an individual or corporation.

__As a bargaining chip.


You know the advantages of organizing a boycott:

__Achieving success by forcing an individual or business to change their policies .

__Letting people put their money where their values are.

__Bringing a lot of attention to you and your cause.

__Making other organizations rethink their policies.

__You have exhausted your other more gentle options and are turning to a boycott as a last resort.


You have taken extra time to answer the following questions:

__Could the boycott alienate any of my current supporters?

__Could legal action be taken against my organization because of this boycott?

__Am I willing to put in the time and effort required to make this endeavor successful?

__You have come up with goals that are clear and realistic.

__You have a good understanding of what makes a boycott effective.

__Solid facts and trusted sources have been used in your research.

__All of the groups you want to boycott have been identified.

__You have made partnerships with other groups who share your opinions.

__The perpetrators have been informed of your intentions, preferably through a letter.


The letter to your perpetrators has met the following criteria:

__It is clear and professional in tone, without being overtly threatening.

__It has been written on agency letterhead.

__Information has been included about other groups collaborating on the boycott .

__The who, what, and when of your boycott have been clearly stated.

__It has been sent two weeks prior to the date listed for your boycott to begin .

__It has been signed by the head of your group or groups.

__It has been checked and rechecked for spelling and grammatical mistakes.

__It has been sent to the CEO or President of the organization, as well as any other personnel directly involved with the issue.

__You have run your ideas by your friends and colleagues to make sure they make sense, and have also invited and encouraged them to join your efforts.

__You have held a press conference to let the rest of the community know about your efforts, and their benefits in joining.


You have examined other sections of the Toolbox for additional information on boycott strategies, such as:

__Organizing Public Demonstrations, Chapter 33, Section 14.

__Writing Letters to the Editor: Chapter 33, Section 2.

__Using Paid Advertising: Chapter 6, Section 9.

__Creating Posters and Fliers: Chapter 6, Section 11.

__Arranging a Press Conference: Chapter 6, Section 8.

__Promoting Interest in Community Issues: Chapter 6.


You have made efforts to explain why you are sponsoring the boycott, and have included in your explanations:

__Solid reasoning.

__Updated information.

__Simple explanations.

__You have offered alternatives to whatever you are boycotting, and have made the boycott easy to participate in.

__You have praised the boycotted organizations publicly following any of their attempts to meet your demands.

__You have kept at your boycott over time, and celebrated your smaller landmark victories.


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