Food & Water Watch's Power Shift 2011 workshop presentation: How to Pass a Local Resolution to Ban Fracking

1. How to Pass a Local Resolution to Ban Fracking Food & Water WatchMeredith Begin Outreach Organizer mbegin@fwwatch.org 202-683-2537 http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org @foodandwater Text WATCH to 69866 http://slidesha.re/FWW-FRACKINGRESOLUTION

2. Educate Build Support Empower individuals to take action Create real change in people’s lives You don’t win by being right. You win by demonstrating power. Why We Organize

3. Fracking is a direct threat to our health and environment We can’t regulate ourselves out of this mess. National ban on fracking How? Organize in communities to pass local resolutions Local Resolution to Ban Fracking: You Can Get One Passed, Too.

4. Sample Resolution

5. BEFORE approaching decision makers Core group of people Individuals you know that are concerned Representatives from organizations General outreach Have an initial planning meeting

6. Have a clear goal Identify targets Take stock of resources Identify allies and opponents, if any, and their power Map out an initial timeline Have fun with tactics! http://bit.ly/STRATEGYCHART Do your homework – plan a strategy

7. Strategy Chart

8. Tactics The Fun Stuff!

9. Initial tactic: Outreach Organizations Represent larger #s of people Sign-on letter Individual Petition Follow-up

10. Identify resolution sponsor aka your “champion” Make a strong ask Work with others Bring letters and numbers Bring the resolution Get a commitment to introduce it Identify other supporters Tactic 2: Engaging Decision Makers

11. Meet with other members Work with others Bring letters and numbers Bring the resolution Get a commitment to introduce it Identify other supporters No commitment? More tactics like constituent letters, LTEs, phone calls, more petition signatures, newsworthy event, etc. Tactic 2: Engaging Decision Makers (Cont.)

12. Media Outreach Letters to the editor Reach out toreporters Tactic 3: A Public Hearing

13. At the Hearing Turn out number and organizations Clearly identify people on your side Press Speaking at the hearing Tactic 3: Public Hearing (Cont.)

14. Congratulations! You’ve successfully passed a local resolution to ban fracking! Send resolution to Food & Water Watch Send resolution to your members of congress Celebrate your victory Build your next campaign Follow up & Celebrate

15. FRAC Act (S. 587 and HR 1084): Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act Contact your legislators to ask them to support the FRAC Act Collect postcards for a national ban on fracking. Send completed postcards Attn: Meredith Begin New York: Help us pass a ban on fracking in New York! NY Contact: Eric Weltman (202) 683-2483 eweltman@fwwatch.org Other ways to take action

16. Text FRACK to 69866 Postcard petitions to ban fracking* Fracking action half-sheet* Guide to passing a local resolution to ban fracking Sample resolution* Congressional meeting toolkit FAQs http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/ Fracking Organizer Toolkit