How to...

5 July 2011

These concise guides offer all sorts of campaigning tips and tricks. They're written for Friends of the Earth local groups, but should also be useful for anyone wanting to make a difference locally.

Engage different audiences
(PDF - 121K) Issue 74 : Feb/Mar 2009
This guide examines the many ways your local group can reach out to different audiences, and the benefits that this can bring.

Celebrate successes
(PDF - 814K) Issue 73 : Dec/Jan 2009
Celebrating success is a great excuse for a party. But recognising your achievements is also a vital part of any group's long term success and sustainability.

Be an effective leader
(PDF - 150K) Issue 72 : Oct/Nov 2008
Exploring what it takes to be a good leader and how Friends of the Earth local groups can help lead their communities towards positive change.

Make an impact
(PDF - 512K) Issue 71 : Aug/Sep 2008
This guide shows how creative campaigning on the streets can engage and inspire decision-makers and the public to actively support your campaigns, as well as boost your group's profile.

Plan ahead
(PDF - 537K) Issue 70 : Jun/Jul 2008
This guide shows some tried and tested methods for planning your campaigns for the year ahead more strategically.

Lobby your MEP
(PDF - 323K) Issue 69 : Apr/May 2008
This guide explains how you can influence the decision-making process at European level, and how the EU works.

Give good media interviews
(PDF - 646K) Issue 68 : Feb/Mar 2008
Interviews for local radio or TV are a great way to put a face to the story. This guide shows how to build your confidence and get great coverage.

Effectively engage new people
(PDF - 237K) Issue 67 : Dec/Jan 2007
The secret to transforming newcomers into engaged and active local group members.

Plan your work for a strong climate law
(PDF - 552K) Issue 66 : Sept/Nov 2007
Key dates in the timeline towards the Climate Bill, to help you plan your campaigning.

Work with other community groups
(PDF - 221K) Issue 65 : June/July 2007
Involve more people by persuading other community groups to get on board.

Write a killer press release
(PDF - 216K) Issue 64 : April/May 2007
A good press release will help get your issue covered in the media. This guide gives you top tips on how to write the perfect release.

Raise your local profile
(PDF - 302K) Issue 63 : Feb/March 2007
Raising the profile of your local group make you more visible in your area and more meaningful to your community.

How to celebrate and share your successes
(PDF - 154K) Issue 62 : Dec 2006/Jan 2007
Campaigning can be a tough old business, and it's important to make time to reflect on your achievements, celebrate successes and spread the word about your good work.

Shop online with Friends of the Earth
(PDF - 118K) Issue 61 : Oct/Nov 2006
Get familiar with Friends of the Earth's online shop: what publications are there, what discounts are available, and how you can help us promote it.

Get your letter in the paper
(PDF - 356K) Issue 60 : Aug/Sept 2006
Some tips on getting your message across in a letter to the local media.

Protest within the law
(PDF - 450K) Issue 59 : June/July 2006
Some essential information and practical tips for effective peaceful protest.

Get the message across
(PDF - 138K) Issue 58 : April/May 2006
Some top tips on how to get people to remember what you tell them.

Cut our emissions
(PDF - 268K) Issue 57 : Feb/March 2006
This guide covers ways of cutting climate change emissions to meet the annual 3 per cent reduction as set out in The Big Ask.

Run a kick ass stall
(PDF - 166K) Issue 56 : Dec 2005/Jan 2006
Running a stall is one of the core activities of any local group and it's worth putting in some time to make it as effective as possible.

Use your rights in planning applications
(PDF - 89K) Issue 55 : October/November 2005
Knowing your rights and how best to use them can be a huge benefit to your campaign. When it comes to planning applications there are key factors that can help you to influence this complicated process in your favour. This guide sets out some practical advice on how to make best use of your rights.

Protect your computer
(PDF - 71K) Issue 54 : Aug/Sept 2005
As our usage of computers both at home and work continues to grow and grow, so unfortunately do the risks. This guide explains some simple precautions that you can take to make cyberspace a safer place to be .

Tackle climate change
(PDF - 63K) Issue 53 : June/July 2005
At the centre of Friends of the Earth's The Big Ask climate change campaign is a new Climate Change Bill. The bill would force governments to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3 per cent a year, every year, until 2050. This guide explains more about the Bill, and what you can do locally to help get it made law.

Make the most of Friends of the Earth
(PDF - 167K) Issue 52 : April/May 2005
This guide introduces you to the Capacity Building team and shows you the many ways Friends of the Earth can support you with your work as a local group.

Gear up for work on climate in 2005
(PDF - 108K) Issue 51 : Feb/March 2005
This guide outlines the work to be carried out in 2005 in combatting the environmental and human threats posed by climate change., and reviews some of the good work done by local groups on climate change in 2004.

Use your right to know
(PDF - 183K) Issue 50 : Dec 2004/Jan 2005
Getting hold of information held by public authorities can dramatically transform your campaign and put you in a better position to argue your point. New rights of access to information come into force on 1 January 2005 - this guide tells you how to make best use of those rights.

Reach target audiences
(PDF - 86K) Issue 49 : Oct/Nov 2004
How can you recruit new people to your local group with the skills your group particularly needs? And how do you reach specific groups of people within your community?

Energise your local group
(PDF - 73K) Issue 48 : Aug/Sept 2004
A guide to help you reassess your campaigning and activities, and to maintain a healthy and effective local group.

Raise money for your local group
(PDF - 81K) Issue 47 : June/July 2004
This guide gives advice and ideas for raising funds, and introduces the new fundraising initiatives for local groups

Meet the climate challenge 2004
(PDF - 99K) Issue 46 : April/May 2004
Would you like to campaign on climate but don't know where to start? Are you already campaigning on climate and would like to share your expertise with more people?

Make campaigning events work
(PDF - 128K) Issue 45 : Feb/March 2004
A successful event can say a lot about what you and your group stand for. This guide explains how to make events and actions work for you. A more detailed briefing (PDF - 234K) to organising events is also available.

Campaign online
(PDF - 101K) Issue 44 : Dec 2003/Jan 2004
The internet is one of the most effective ways to publicise your campaign. This guide explains how easy it is to campaign online.

Work with young people
(PDF - 113K) Issue 43 : Oct/Nov 2003
Working with young people can be tremendously rewarding and productive. This guide explains ways to make the experience more effective, and fun. A more detailed guide in booklet form is also available.

Lobby your elected representative
(PDF - 56K) Issue 42 : Aug/Sept 2003
Whether they're a member of the UK Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, your local council or the European Parliament, this guide will help you determine the best plan for your campaign.

Understand the new planning system
(PDF - 127K) Issue 41 : June/July 2003
A guide to the new local planning system due to come into legal force in 2004.

Put act back into action
(PDF - 101K) Issue 40 : April/May 2003
A look at using street theatre to make your messages appeal to a wider audience.

Campaign strategise
(PDF - 66K) Issue 39 : Feb/March 2003
Develop an effective campaign strategy with this 3 step plan.

Fake it as a photographer
(PDF - 332K) Issue 38 : Dec 2002/Jan 2003
Great campaigns all need them - the right image. Tips on how to get the best picture.

Put environmental justice into campaigns
(PDF - 64K) Issue 37 : Oct/Nov 2002
Some tips on working with communities directly affected by bad housing, busy roads and polluting factories.

Use the media
(PDF - 80K) Issue 36 : Aug/Sept 2002
A guide explaining the media and what they want from your campaign group.

Hold a public meeting
(PDF - 54K) Issue 33 : Feb/March 2002
Public meetings can be a great way of getting ideas  across to the public and securing support. This guide gives tips on how to prepare and run them.

Run better meetings
(PDF - 61K) Issue 30 : Aug/Sept 2001
Revitalise your local group by giving your meetings a makeover.

Design effectively
(PDF - 105K) Issue 29 : June /July 2001
Get your message across using Friends of the Earth's new visual identity.

The Rough Guide to the new-look local government
(PDF - 84K) Issue 28 : April/May 2001
New Labour's changes to local government and what it means for campaigners.

How to be a better corporate campaigner
(PDF - 107K) Issue 26 : Dec 2000/Jan 2001
Getting your message into company boardrooms, and actions that touch the corporate nerve.

Chemical generation
(PDF - 106K) Issue 24 : August/September 2000
An introduction to Friends of the Earth's Safer Chemicals campaign.

Get networking
(PDF - 297K) Issue 23 : June/July 2000
How to work with other groups with overlapping aims to build strong alliances.

It's time to talk
(PDF - 131K) Issue 22 : April/May 2000
An essential guide to preparing for public speaking.

Props on a shoestring
(PDF - 155K) Issue 21 : Feb/March 2000
A well chosen prop or constume can transform your campaign. This guide looks at what makes a good prop and how to build your own.

Action stations
(PDF - 114K) Issue 20 : Dec 1999/Jan 2000
How to plan a successful event, including points of law and getting publicity. A more detailed guide (PDF - 234K) to organising events is also available.

Taking it to the streets
(PDF - 101K) Issue 19 : Oct/Nov 1999
How to run effective street stalls. Tips and checklist for getting your message to people in the streets.

www.Diy.website
(PDF - 81K) Issue 18 : Aug/Sept 1999
Why you should have a website, and tips on designing and building your own.

Fundraising
(PDF - 151K) Issue 17 : June/July 1999
Outlines the basics of fundraising and gives some tips on making fundraising activities work for you.

Electronic Communications
(PDF - 83K) Issue 14 : Dec 1998/Jan 1999
A guide to our email networks. NB: Some of the lists discussed are no longer active.

Parliamentary campaigning
(PDF - 80K) Issue 11 : June/July 1998
The basics of parliamentary campaigning. Including a description of how a bill becomes law and how you can influence the process.