Campaigning is for Everyone Mothers’ Union Leadership Conference 2016

Lucinda Hasell Head of Faith & Policy Catherine Kyte Faith Support Officer Rose Wright Campaigns & Social Policy Assistant Rachel Aston Social Policy Manager Faith & Policy Team

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘campaigning?’ What images does it call to mind? Are these positive or negative? What is Campaigning ?

“To work in an organized and active way towards a goal.”

What is Campaigning? Seeking to influence, often through collective action, those in positions of power and authority to act in a certain way, in order to make structural changes, such as changes to the law, in order to address a specific issue.

What is not campaigning? Directly meeting a need without seeking structural change, e.g through practical action, such as giving out food/toiletries etc.

What does campaigning look like?

Campaigning can involve Protests and demonstrations, media interviews, press releases, writing letters, using social media to raise awareness, conferences, boycotts, meeting with decision makers, providing information and briefings to decision makers, joining with other organisations to call for change, petitions to name but a few.....

Who can campaign? Anyone!! You do not need to be a specific “type” of person to campaign You can find a way to call for change which suits you Most people are probably already involved in campaigning in some form

Mothers’ Union Campaigns that have made a difference

Planning a campaign

What is the issue that you have identified? What does it look like for that issue to be resolved? What changes need to be made/what needs to happen in order for the issue to be resolved? (Does a law need to be changed, does funding need to be made available, does a corporation need to change the way they work?) What?

Who is able to make changes or decisions in this area? Is it the local council? Is it the national Government? Is it a brand or corporation? Who else has the same aim as you? Is there an existing campaign you can join in with? Can you team up with others to have a bigger impact? Who?

How can you influence those with the ability to make the change? What access do you already have to them? What skills and tools do you have that you could use? What is your existing sphere of influence? How could you make your voice heard? How?

Changes to the way child maintenance payments are made