Grassroots Lobbying: Clipboarding
Want to do grassroots outreach but have limited resources? Try ‘clipboarding’ – it’s simple, productive and effective.
Background
By the beginning of 2022 we had come to the end of our rope. For almost two years, in the Richmond NSW electorate, our attempts to do tabling at farmers’ markets and other local events had been frustrated by COVID restrictions.
Then, in February and March 2022, two unprecedented floods two weeks apart, devastated many of our local communities. Just when we were most motivated to canvas support for building political will to address climate change, normal methods of reaching out to our community seemed closed. The following will run you through how we readjusted our approach.
Resources needed:
One Clipboard
Multiple copies of a questionnaire asking people how concerned they are about climate change, which climate impacts they consider most important and what action they would like their MP to take
One copy of a form identifying your CCL group
Directions:
During business hours on a Tuesday morning I took my clipboard and spent a few hours visiting 33 businesses in the Tweed Heads area on foot. At each business, I engaged with local staff or the manager and left a copy of the questionnaire for collection next week.
Sample Script:
‘Hi, my name is Ian. I live locally on Piggabeen Rd. Last week during the floods we were cut off for a few days with Kennedy Drive closed and the internet also down for 8 days. We know a lot of people were affected much more than us. How did you and your firm go?’
Listen and respond quickly leading into an explanation of why you are visiting. ‘I belong to a group called CCL Richmond. We are a group of local volunteers.’
Show your identification. ‘We are not supporting any political party; however, we are interested in not only helping with the recovery but also in looking at what is causing the extreme flooding, bushfires and heat waves that we are having. Is that something you’re interested in?’
Listen and respond briefly identifying with any values identified. ‘What we do is talk with local politicians asking for greater climate action. They understand what we are asking for, but they also keep asking what local people and businesses think. What would be your message to them?’
Listen and respond appropriately. ‘Can I leave this form with you to consider? You could share it with other staff, family or friends. Is it okay if I come back next Tuesday morning to collect the form and answer any questions you may have? My contact details are also on the back of the form if needed.’
Listen and respond appropriately. Show thanks and appreciation for their time, even if they decline to complete the form.
Don’t be phased by any response when you return next week. People may not have time to get the form completed, leave it at home, forget about it altogether or simply change their mind about partaking. Always find something to be grateful for and appreciative of.
Results and comments:
Thirty-one of 33 businesses engaged and accepted forms. Two businesses politely declined.
Ten completed forms were collected on the following Tuesday. Most others wanted more time or indicated they would email the completed form to me later. Two others declined to follow up.
A further seven completed forms were collected when I returned the next Tuesday.
All 17 businesses indicated either “Very concerned about climate change” or “alarmed about climate change”.
All 17 businesses indicated concern about 4 or 5 climate impacts.
All 17 businesses included the “Flooding or Drought” option in their list of concerns.
Nine businesses wanted elected representatives to have the political will to “Introduce a Price on Carbon”.
All 17 businesses also wanted two or more of the following: “Promote transition to Renewables”; “Fund Climate Solutions Research”; “Work cooperatively across Parties”; or “Take the Long-Term View”.
Individual messages to MPs ranged from “Let common sense prevail!” to concerns about the future of children and the planet.
Most indicated that they did not want to be contacted by MPs. A few did.
Before the 2019 bushfires 60% of Australians believed that climate change was a serious problem. After the fires the figure moved to 64%. Will the floods this year have a similar effect on Australian attitudes? (Australia Talks National Survey 2021)
In 2021 Richmond NSW was the electorate with the highest climate risk in the State of NSW and yet 14% of Richmond NSW voters believed that “about the same or less action” on climate change is required. Will that % change after the floods? (Australia Talks National Survey 2021)
Overall, this was a very helpful strategy, I hope this guide propels your Grassroots Outreach to new heights!