Campaign tools

CAFOD campaigners interviewed by LBC Radio while protesting about injustice [Kate Stanworth]

Talking to people, lobbying politicians and working with the media to get your message across are all tools to use in your campaign.

Talking about your campaign

Whatever you do, you will have to be able to talk to people and answer the following questions:

• What are you doing?
• Why is it important?
• What do you want me to do?

If you can answer these questions clearly and precisely, you can get people to sign a petition, come to a meeting or even lobby their MP.

If you are giving a speech, keep it short and sweet, and emphasise just two or three key points that you want your audience to react to.

Read CAFOD's tips on Giving a talk

Lobbying

MPs can be powerful allies, especially if your campaign relates to a piece of legislation – for example the climate bill. They can ask questions in parliament, raise issues with ministers, and also help get press coverage for issues.

Use CAFOD's guide to lobbying to help you

If you're serious about working with your MP on a range of issues, consider joining CAFOD's MP campaigning network

Working with the media

If you are organising an event or an action, media coverage can help multiply your message to many more people. It also builds morale – you're famous! Well, getting there anyway...

The main news outlets you want to target are

• the student press
• local media such as newspapers and radio stations
• websites like Facebook

For tips on targetting the mainstream media, see CAFOD's guide to getting media coverage

take action

Take action: Shine a light in the darkness

Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Stop dangerous mines - email your pension fund

If 6,000 people email their pension fund, we could have £540m of financial power to pressure mining companies with - so, as well as taking action yourself, please send the action to up to six friends

Tell Gordon to Act Now!

Urge Gordon Brown to ‘call time’ on the global greed at the heart of the world's financial crisis. Add your voice now