MBNelson’s Recent Comments

• Click here to view comment in original post

  unimpressed by my own experience

  I worked briefly for Calpirg about 7 years ago.  We did campaigns for groups such as Defenders of Wildlife, down in LA.

  I was unimpressed for a few reasons:

  1.  The campaigners are not well educated.  While I agreed with the issues we defended, I felt I had to do my own research to answer questions I had that the staff could not answer.

  2.  The little education we had felt like indoctrination. "Here is why we are right and they are wrong."  Sure, I believe in the issues but I have never been one to accept things based solely on faith or emotional attachment.  I think this weak form of education for campaigners really weakens their ability to campaign.  It also seems very dangerous and irresponsible.

  3.  I feel that we miss an opportunity to really reach out to the people who are actually doing the canvassing.  If they had a better education on the issues they could have a better commitment to them.  

  4.  This point is VERY important:  The weakness in education also means they may lose opportunities to reach out to those we MOST need to reach.  The people that are unsure, or who have serious questions about the issues are the ones we should focus on.  We are unable to do that if our canvassers are not prepared to answer and address their questions.

  5.  I think we need to all admit that the asking for money thing is a bit of a sham.  My understanding is that most of the money goes back into paying the people who canvass.  And if I am someone giving money to a cause, I don't really want most of my money going to canvassers who are out collecting money and having conversations with people who already think like I do.

  6.  If the point is convincing politicians that people care, then maybe we need to think of some other strategies.

  Despite these feelings about the canvassing process   I admit I still give to Calpirg...  Guess I'm just a softie.

  But those are VERY real concerns and I hope someone out there reads them.On Why green-group canvassing operations need an overhaul posted 3 years, 6 months ago 28 Responses