Forum Post: Walking the Streets to Recruit.
Posted 13 years ago on Sept. 24, 2011, 1:42 a.m. EST by Laurenceofberk
(16)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Hello Sisters and Brothers,
Is anyone walking the streets of New York to recruit new people to the occupation? Why not form small work teams to do that?
If every day you trained new people to recruit, then every day the occupiers and the new recruiters would multiply. Internet is not enough. Personal contact is the best way to attract, not only new people, but different types of people; whole new subcultures added to the movement. I hope people write back on this theme. There's a lot more to say. In Solidarity, Laurence of Berkeley
Yay, the subways.
Best way to get a captive audience. I've signed up a lot of people on San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit. (BART) Go for it. ... Just remember to be super polite. If you get anyone riled up they can get you kicked off. I've seen that happen.
I would like to join or start a working group to work the subways -- targeting those lines that serve Williamsburg, LES, GV and Westside: (1,2,3,.4.5.6, L). Also, would like to see a group at Columbia U, City U, and NYU. I would also be willing to fund the metro cards for this effort.
I'm down to help do outreach on the L.
Hello Online,
Flyers and stickers are great. But as a community organizer since the 60's, I am certain that there is no substitute for personal conversation. The people who are at the occupation are forming a commune, or perhaps several. I'm sure they are talking (and touching) all the time.
If we want to spread that kind of intense solidarity to wider and wider circles, we have to offer our new friends the same kind of personal contact.
If we want to build a society of community and co-operation, we can't just make a plan and spread the word, and then expect it to pop into reality when enough people have understood. No, we have to practice and grow community and co-operation all the time. Means and ends are one continuum.
I would also make a flyer jpg and stick it right on the main news page. Tell everyone to print it and stick it on car windows - it will be like a cyclic effect because other visitors will see what it's all about and do the same. I would recommend trying to come up with a mission statement too. It's hard to decide is it about capital punishment, meat pizzas or inequality. I've been a supporter because I assume it's about balancing the democracy in the USA such that the policy decisions are not leaning towards those with power - hope that is true! I'm just trying to help