Canvassing is the act of promoting a political message by talking and engaging with people in public, whether that be at a popular public place or door-to-door knocking. Although it’s nerve-wracking to walk up to strangers at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll get into a rhythm quite quickly and it will be fun and rewarding! You’ll feel very proud of yourself at the end of the day when you realize all the support you have received for your cause.
Dress
- Clothes appropriate for the weather that day (you will be standing outside awhile, so be ready)
- Business casual, collared shirt, jeans are fine. We want our club to be recognized as professional, serious, and positive about our cause.
Materials
- Water
- Clipboard/folder with a flyer on top showing club details, QR code to receive updates to show to people
- Bag tags to distribute
Script
Below is a script you can use to introduce the organization. As you work, feel free to figure out what you say works and what doesn’t and tune your script accordingly.
- Hi! (big smile) Are you familiar with the recent decline of democracy in the US and abroad?
- Well I’m with Students4Democracy. We are a non-partisan student organization doing advocacy work to preserve democracy. Would you be interested in receiving updates about our efforts?
- Then show clipboard with description of our club, QR code to interest form
- (don’t say get involved, we just want them to get added to our mailing list)
- Regardless of their response (even if no thanks), say: Would you be interested by showing your support for democracy with this bag tag?
- If yes, have them put the bag tag on there on the spot. That way we’re not giving away free shit they’re just going to throw away.
Canvassing look and bag tags
