View the Activism Basics: How to Advocate, Influence, Communicate, Organize Power Topic

What’s Ahead

• What is activism?
• Identifying the problem
• Organizing for action
• Influencing others
• Getting started

What Is Activism?

• Activism is the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
• SASH Club activism relies upon interpersonal relationships.
• Changing cultural conversations about sexual harassment and assault is activism.
• Activism is about bettering the community.
• Activism requires listening to the diverse stakeholders in your community.
• Activism is the process of building power to make change.

Step 1: Identifying the Problem

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is the purpose of our work?
2. Who is the audience we are trying to motivate?
3. How do we reach our audience, keep them engaged, and move them to action?

Research

• Every community is different, and your approach should reflect your specific needs.
• Strategic questions — What does the change look like?
  • What needs to change?
  • Who are we influencing?
  • What does success look like?
  • What is our timeline?
• Tactical questions — How will the change happen?
  • What are the levers to effect change?
  • What sequence of events will bring the best results?
  • Who holds the power?
  • Who can help?

Construct a Mission Statement

• A mission statement keeps everyone aligned and focused.
• When writing a mission statement, consider these five elements:
  • Value: What value does your activism bring to the community?
  • Inspiration: Why should people care?
  • Plausibility: Make it realistic.
  • Specificity: Connect it to the larger issue.
  • Audience: Who needs to hear this message?
• SASH Club National Project Mission Statement:
  • “SASH Club brings together and empowers youth to end sexual harassment and assault.”
• Consider what a mission statement might look like for your local chapter, keeping inclusivity in mind.

Step 2: Organizing for Action

Listen

• Sexual harassment and assault affect everyone, regardless of gender, race, or identity.
• To ensure inclusivity, identify voices not represented in the room and consider their perspectives.
• Hold space for differing ideas and seek compromise when needed.

Set Goals

• Use the SMART Goals framework:
  • Specific – What do you want to accomplish?
  • Measurable – How will you know you succeeded?
  • Attainable – Is it realistic?
  • Relevant – Does it meet community needs?
  • Time-based – Can it be done within your timeframe?

Delegate Tasks

• Delegation prevents burnout and helps people work where they feel most engaged.
• Create task groups aligned with your goals.
• Examples include:
  • Managing social media
  • Organizing presentations
  • Planning educational activities
  • Writing for school or local media

Step 3: Influencing Others

Constructive Dialogue

• A casual, open approach helps others feel comfortable.
• Dialogue encourages participation and questions.
• Lecturing discourages engagement.
• Young people engage more when they feel heard.
• The most important step is to start the conversation.

Confidence

• Communicate your mission and goals confidently.
• Trust your preparation and research.
• Expect resistance and remember what motivates you.
• Use facts and community-specific data to support your message.

Get Started

• Know what SASH Club stands for so you can speak confidently.
• Start conversations about sexual harassment and assault today.
• Invite others to participate, mentor, or share their experience.

Talk About It

• Which elements of the mission statement matter most to you?
• How would you reach your audience?
• Why is research essential to activism?
• Does starting a conversation feel doable for you? Why or why not?
• What forms of activism would be most impactful in your community?

Do More

• Role-play responses to questions and resistance.
• Delegate research topics and share findings.
• Identify people in power and plan how to engage them.
• Share one thing you learned and one action you commit to taking.

Sources & Acknowledgments

Thanks to Minnah Stein for creating this presentation.