Step-by-Step Organizer Toolkit for the People's Campaign for the Constitution

• Step 1: Reach Out
• Step 2: Build a Coalition
• Step 3: Hold Representatives Accountable
• PCC Resources

Sample Agenda for First Meeting

1. Introduction

• Hand out materials (agenda, brochures, fliers).
• Welcome and introductions
• Briefly describe the PCC and review the agenda

2. Goals and basic steps of the People’s Campaign for the Constitution

Discuss the congressional accountability strategy. Key resources in this toolkit:

• Honing the Message of the PCC and Challenging the “War on Terror” Rhetoric
• Frequently Asked Questions about the PCC Strategy
• Arriving at Your Demands
• Tactics for the Public Campaign

Discuss how the suggestions in this toolkit (and your group’s own suggestions) can be implemented in your community.  Lay out possible activities for the coalition. Be sure to leave time for brainstorming and discussion.

3. Basic facts on your congressional representative and candidate(s)

Briefly describe the circumstances in your congressional district.

• What is your representative’s public record (e.g., votes and statements) on preserving constitutional protections and rights?
• What is the contact information for the representative’s (and, if before an election, candidates’) offices?
• If an election is coming up:
• Who is running for Congress? Who has won the last few elections, and by what margins?
• What issues have emerged in the election campaign? Are constitutional violations among them?

4. Local Outreach Strategy Brainstorm

List local groups to contact to join your new coalition. Identify allies, potential allies, and potential funding sources in the community and develop a plan to reach out to them.

• How can new allies support the campaign? For example, they can become members, lend the support of their organization, or contribute funds or in-kind donations such as copies or meeting space.
• What potential allies do the participants know? What can they ask them to do?
• Who will be responsible for maintaining lists of local supporters for the group?

5. Committee Breakouts

Briefly outline the tasks of different subcommittees (research, outreach, publicity). See our list of subcommittees.

If there are enough people at your first meeting to split into smaller groups right away, divide into subcommittees. Distribute guides for each subcommittee. After meeting as subcommittees for about 15 minutes, return to the large group and have each subcommittee report what they will do before the next meeting