How to Build
Your Community
Power exists in numbers. That’s why many social justice movements take time to develop a community that supports their cause. A strong and diverse community can help your Girls’ Bill of Rights advocacy. It shows leaders and decision makers* that there is tremendous community support and investment in the Girls’ Bill of Rights.
*Decision makers: people that have authority, can influence policy, and are connected to others in power.
Here are tips to build and sustain a community of supporters for the Girls' Bill of Rights:
Create a clear and concise pitch in order to explain what the Girls’ Bill of Rights is and why they should care. Include how it affects the people you are speaking to, and how people can join your community.
Target organizations and clubs to amplify your message. Think about talking to school-based organizations, community service groups, faith-based communities,, local leadership, LGBTQIA+* associations, and sports organizations.
Create an outreach plan to spread the word. Post flyers, share on social media (Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), connect with school officials, partner with other organizations, or host a table at school/community events in order to attract people to your cause and alert them to upcoming events and initiatives.
Cultivate an online and in-person community with your coalition. Here are some common ways of doing this:
Online: Weekly newsletters, frequents posts in WhatsApp or Facebook groups, using social media at large
In-person: coalition meetings, brainstorming over breakfast, tabling or going door-to-door to raise awareness, recreational activities (for example, ice cream social)