Effective Communication Chelsea Davis The Evolving Vegan Northwest VEG Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator Action for Animals Board of Directors Certified Humane Educator MVP12-4/8/15

What is Activism?

Activism When you take action on something that you are passionate about in order to create a better world.

Saves more animals than other kinds of animal protection activism (fur, leather, animal testing, animals shelters, etc) It has the greatest impact! It touches on human, animal, and environmental health as well as animal and human rights. It is Utilitarian. Strives to reduce the suffering of many and to create the most good to the largest number of individuals. It’s Easy! You are an activist every time to sit down to eat.

Lead By Example. Nothing is more effective! Pay attention to your appearance. Live your deepest values. Be healthy. Be rational, sincere, and approachable. Stay active in the vegan community and on social media Wear shirts that spread the message Sticker activism!

A spoon full of (vegan) sugar helps the medicine go down. Speak kindly & politely. Don’t blame or shame them. Watch your body language. Be open and smile. Listen to them. Don’t just wait to speak. Ask questions and create a dialog. Stay focused on the issue at hand. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Talk about gain not loss. Focus on how this way of eating has opened doors not closed them.

Be Accurate Use reliable sources & double check them. Use primary sources when possible. Share your sources. pcrm.org animalstudiesrepository.org Don’t exaggerate or mislead. Don’t use absolutes like “always” and “never” It’s okay to say “I don’t know.”

Suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance). When faced with information that suggests that our behaviors do not align with our beliefs we will often respond in irrational ways.

Most will be more concerned with defending and justifying themselves then listening to facts and logic. Often the truth is too frightening for them to accept and they will be in denial. (empathy avoidance) If they are combative, walk away. Nothing positive will come from it. In the end you may not feel that you made a difference but you have planted a seed!

Start where they are, not where you think they are. Focus on what motivates that person: Are they an animal lover? Are they an environmentalist? Are they religious? Are they ill or do they have a sick loved one? Are they interested in human rights? It doesn’t matter why they change, as long as they are open to change!

Offer community and resources Take them shopping, cook a meal together and watch FOK or Vegucated Send them articles about famous/celebrity veggies Russell Brand, “I’m now vegan, goodbye eggs, hello Ellen!” Justine Timberlake takes us down to Veganville. Invite them to a Northwest VEG potluck or event! Potlucks: Portland- 3 rd Sunday of every month Vancouver- last Thursday of every month Gresham- 2 nd Sunday of every 3 rd month Longview- 3 rd Saturday every other month 4 th of July potluck picnic Professional Health Conference 11/13 Portland VegFest at OCC 11/14-15! vegweb.com (over 10K recipes!) pcrm.org (21-day kickstarter) nwveg.org

Take Care of Yourself! Stay healthy. Create balance in your life. Find community & support. Be happy and play. Remember that you are making a difference just by being you!

How would you respond compassionately and effectively? Animals were put here for us to use and eat If we didn’t eat animals, they would take over! I tried going veg, but I got sick, so I had to stop. Some people need meat to be healthy. I only buy free range and organic meat. I could never give up cheese/hamburgers/ bacon/eggs/ice cream. Vegans are too picky. That’s no fun. What about the suffering of plants? I like meat. If people want to eat meat, they should have that right. I like killing animals! What about hunting? Give me one good reason why I should go vegetarian. If God didn’t want us to eat meat, why did he put meat in animals? You should be working on human issues!