For New Group Leaders
Step 1: Investigate and Evaluate
Hopefully as a new leader you were able to meet with the previous leader to find out as much as possible about the group and how it works. If you haven't done that yet and can still contact that person - make a list of questions and schedule some time to meet in person or over the phone. If the old leader is not around, you'll have to investigate - talk to other group leaders and members, the faculty advisor (student groups) or other organizations or people who worked with your Amnesty group. If the type of information you are looking for isn't documented, start a notebook now that you can pass on to the next leader!
The amount of investigation and evaluation you need to do will depend on a variety of factors. If you were very involved with your group last year and are familiar with the activities, vision and planning, you can start more quickly than if you were involved but are not quite sure how things worked or are missing key information about the group and the overall organization. Enlist other chapter leaders in finding out what you need to know. Start where you are and go from there!
In your research be sure to find out something about the following:
Key Contacts and Leaders
- Find out: Who are the people inside the group and in your community or at your school whom you need to know and talk with? Perhaps you already know the other group leaders you'll be working with and are very familiar with their interests, roles, responsibilities, and strengths. Maybe you don't know them quite so well. Either way, now is a good time to meet with leaders individually and as a group to get to know them and their work better.
- Identify leaders and their potential - you need to start delegating tasks to capable members, and it is never too soon to start grooming your replacement!
- If you are in a student group, meet with your faculty advisor to discuss what they do and how you will work together.
- Also find out who the key people are in your community or at your school that you need to know and interact with. This could include everyone from the contact who manages the place or room where you meet, key leaders of other organizations, or the person at a local business who makes donations to support the work of your group.
Last Year's Activities
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Find out: What did the group accomplish last year? What did it set out to do? Are there particular issues or themes the group worked on? Are there other organizations the group worked with? What went well? What could be improved?
Group Structure
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Find out: How is the group structured? Are there subcommittees or working groups? What do they do? How often does the group meet; how are the meetings run; what kind of pre-meeting preparation is required? What is working? What needs to change?
Procedures and Practices
- Find out: If you're in a student group, are there any school procedures you need to be aware of (e.g. meeting times and places, opportunities for funding or events, reporting requirements, regulations about activities)?
- How does your group maintain its membership list? Does the group collect dues?
- What other systems are in place for running your group? What needs to be changed or improved?
Group Strengths and Weaknesses
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As you investigate, evaluate. Find out what is working that you need to continue. Identify the weaknesses in your group structure, operations and leadership.
Step 2: Gather your Resources
- There are numerous resources available to Amnesty group leaders. Hopefully you received some from the previous leader. Make sure you have the most up to date information. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much information. Collect the basics, and identify other needs you have and resources that can help you meet them.
Key Amnesty Contacts
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Make contact with your Regional Office to get contact information for your Student Area Coordinator (Student Groups) or Area Coordinator (Local Groups). Also get contact information for your State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator and your state's Legislative Coordinator. Find out if there is a Regional Office staff member assigned to work with your group. Think about what you need, and contact these leaders to establish a relationship.
Student Groups: Is Your Group Registered?
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Student groups have to officially re-register each school year. Officially registered groups receive critical resources, Urgent Actions, Regional Office support and more. Not sure if your group is registered? Contact your Regional Office at 1-866-A-REGION.
Amnesty Materials
- Amnesty produces many materials for activists designed to help build your group, inform you of the issues and keep you connected. Check out the web site to find out what is online, and read all three parts of the Activist Toolkit (Basic Field Manual, the CD-ROM and the Human Rights Action Guide). Once you sign up for programs and actions you'll also receive materials on specific issues via mail/email.
- All group leaders receive Connect (AIUSA's monthly mailing). Help Amnesty save money and sign up to receive it via e-delivery. (To sign up, simply register in the Members Section of the AIUSA website. To apply for a password to enter the Members Section, complete an online form. Once your account is verified you will receive a password by e-mail.)
Community/School Resources
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Find out what resources are available in your school or community to help organizations like Amnesty. Some groups are able to tap into leadership training, publicity mechanisms, sources of funding etc.
Step 3: Plan and Act
Who Can Help?
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As previously mentioned, there are a number of people who can help you build a successful group. Start with leaders and members of your group. Who can you delegate tasks to and involve in leadership roles? Which resource people are available in your school or community? Who at Amnesty can help you out?
Use the Activist Toolkit
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Check out the entire CD-ROM, a good place to start are the "Run Your Group", "Plan Events and Activities", and the "Promote Your Group" sections to help meet your group's needs.
Upcoming Events
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Check out Amnesty's online events calendar to find out what events are happening soon in your region or area. For example, in the fall each region hosts a regional conference that provides Amnesty leaders and members with valuable information, training, and resources.
Recruitment, New Member Orientation and Group Meetings
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As your group comes together it should work to recruit new members, orient them to Amnesty and your activities, carry out actions, and run meetings on a regular basis. Use the resources in this Activist Toolkit to help you with each of these things. If members of you community group are just getting back together after a summer off, or if school is just starting in the fall or after winter break, consider planning some events which you can recruit members to. As you attract a new group of recruits, make sure they learn about the organization and start to join in with the different tasks that need to be done!
