GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE Parent Constituency Group

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• About MOF and Strike Background
• DEIJ
• Overview of Parent Constituency Group
• Overview of Resources
• Toolkits
• Mother/Child-Digital Ask
• Resources from 350.org
• Upcoming Webinars & Meetings
• Questions
• Support Needs
• Closing
• ​

Introductions

​

Marnese Jackson

Mothers Out Front, Frontline Program Manager

NAACP Northern Oakland County Branch-ECJ Committee Chairperson

Emeritus Midwest and Great Plain State Field Organizer

Mothers Out Front- Frontline Program Manager

Detroit Equity Action Lab Fellow

Mothering Justice Movement Fellow

Liaison Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

Liaison Midwest Environmental Justice Coalition

Liaison REAMP Network

Pontiac Policy Council

​

​

​

About Mothers Out Front

What is Mothers Out Front?

​

• A grassroots movement founded by two moms, Kelsey Wirth and Vanessa Rule, in Boston in February, 2013.
• Local teams in Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, California, Ohio, Colorado, New Hampshire, Alabama, Washington & Michigan.
• We are more than 27,000 strong and growing!

​

WE ARE NOT EXCLUSIVELY MOTHERS

MISSION

We​ ​build​ ​our​ ​power​ ​as​ ​mothers​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​a​ ​livable​ ​climate​ ​for​ ​all​ ​children.

VISION

Realizing​ ​and​ ​Building​ ​Power�Together,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​powerful​ ​and​ ​we​ ​use​ ​our​ ​power​ ​to​ ​move​ ​decision​ ​makers​ ​to​ ​take actions​ ​that​ ​will​ ​ensure​ ​a​ ​healthy​environment​ ​for​ ​all​ ​children.

We​ ​are​ ​led​ ​by​ ​our​ ​membership.​ ​Leadership​ ​and​ ​decision​ ​making​ ​are​ ​shared​ ​across​ ​the movement,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​process​ ​and​ ​outcomes​ ​are​ ​made​ ​transparent​ ​to​ ​our​ ​members. We​ ​build​ ​collective​ ​and​ ​individual​ ​power​ ​by​ ​encouraging​ ​personal​ ​agency,​ ​learning​ ​and sharing,​ ​innovation​ ​and​ ​risk-taking.�

Building​ ​an​ ​Inclusive​ ​Community-We​ ​are​ ​an​ ​inclusive​ ​movement​ ​where​ ​mothers’​ ​voices​ ​are​ ​front​ ​and​ ​center.�Our​ ​work​ ​is​ ​impactful​ ​because​ ​we​ ​have​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​community​ ​built​ ​on​ ​relationships, kindness,​ ​mutual​ ​respect,​ ​and​ ​collaboration.�

OUR VALUES

• Working​ ​for​ ​Climate​ ​Justice
• ​
• In​ ​all​ ​we​ ​do,​ ​we​ ​keep​ ​our​ ​mission​ ​of​ ​a​ ​livable​ ​climate​ ​for​ ​all​ ​children​ ​at​ ​the​ ​center​ ​of​ ​our work.
• ​
• We​ ​lift​ ​the​ ​voices​ ​of​ ​those​ ​who​ ​care​ ​for​ ​and​ ​nurture​ ​children​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​heeded​ ​by those​ ​in​ ​power.
• ​
• We​ ​focus​ ​resources​ ​particularly​ ​in​ ​those​ ​communities​ ​who​ ​suffer​ ​the​ ​injustices​ ​of climate​ ​change​ ​and​ ​fossil​ ​fuel​ ​use​ ​today​ ​and​ ​have​ ​been​ ​historically​ ​marginalized.
• ​
• Persevering​ ​with​ ​Hope​ ​and​ ​Urgency
• We​ ​act​ ​with​ ​urgency​ ​because​ ​we​ ​know​ ​that​ ​climate​ ​change​ ​is​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​and encompassing​ ​challenge​ ​of​ ​our​ ​time.
• ​
• We​ ​maintain​ ​hope​ ​by​ ​working​ ​together​ ​on​ ​concrete​ ​solutions​ ​toward​ ​a​ ​livable​ ​climate​ ​for all​ ​children.
• ​
• We​ ​do​ ​not​ ​give​ ​up.�

BACKGROUND

Overview of Parent Constituency Group

The Parent Support Working Group will engage parents and other family members in supporting the youth-led intergenerational climate actions on 9/20/19. We are dedicated to expanding engagement from families, providing tools and resources so they may lead in climate organizing and the strike, while supporting the youth leadership.

Way to Strike

SUPPORT YOUR KIDS TO JOIN A STRIKE

Advocate for your kids and their classmates to attend a local strike!

Help kids communicate with school administration — offer to facilitate conversations between students, staff and teachers about how important these actions are are and their educational value.

Let your kids know that you are with them, and that you are willing to support them if they are faced with backlash.

Volunteer to make the strike into a field trip!

Parents can also work with teachers to take your students to the strike as a field trip. This would help your students avoid punishment while still fighting for the cause.

​

Ways to Strike

Ask teachers not to assign major assignments during the week of action

Some teachers across the country are taking this No Major Assignments Pledge (bit.ly/teacher_pledge). The pledge says that teachers will not plan or assign any major tests or projects on the day of the strike and that students will not suffer academically if they miss class for the strike. Parents can ask teachers if they are willing to make a similar commitment.

Medical Excuse Note

Medical professionals are also working support the global youth climate strikes happening. Some are sharing a “Medical Excuse Note” (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRrYAIWxxB7VnZLWEOXMEcA1YmfPqAE1mTtD7hWGeo-EHFq09Qogpk5f4hE289XHjZ9nZoWrZ-7DiHr/pub) that clinicians can sign.

The note “excuses" students from class due to the climate-health emergency. Students will be able to print it out, but more importantly, we will do a media push to show solidarity with the students and raise awareness that climate change is first and foremost a health crisis that disproportionately harms children and youth.

Overview of Resources

Toolkits

• Parent Art Builds-Our Art Build Toolkit! - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zY8A5Xqd2UF9VkZAvG3CiZ-J5oP19P4J_0DfmszDyKA/edit#

​

• Greenpeace Puppets and Art Toolkit - https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Xif0H0gl-kRrYKTJMREYHFWPe8ZkpJZf

Parent Digital Action Toolkit

Make a Parent-Youth Climate Action Video - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FAt5cQzwwXrxqmYNzHfBrwujTMmugUcUTh5FVki795w/edit

• Take our pledge to support youth strikers, and stay engaged with our campaigns lead by moms and parents in the future - https://www.mothersoutfront.org/our_pledge_their_future
• Order a T-Shirt

Laura Haugh, a mom from Seattle made a T-Shirt for the Strikes. It is available for purchase on the Mothers Out Front Spreadshirt. https://shop.spreadshirt.com/MothersOutFront/

• Massachusetts - https://ma.mothersoutfront.org/local_youth_climate_strike

​

Parent / Youth Video

September 20th will bring an incredible, intergenerational moment when youth leaders will ask us to come together. Let’s capture those moments. Parents, record interviews with your children describing how you got involved in the climate movement and why it’s important. Interviews can be a blog, audio, or video.

Share them on your Facebook and Twitter pages. Use the hashtags: #ClimateStrike; #StrikeWithUs; #OurPledgeTheirFuture

Video Example: https://youtu.be/q2wugeVbd-M

Beth Rodio: shares her experience of interviewing her 9 year old for a blog.

​

​

Resources from 350.org

• Social Media Toolkit
• Graphics Toolkit
• Greenpeace Puppets Toolkit
• Climate Strike One-Page

Upcoming Meetings and Trainings

Parent Support Group Meetings and Trainings

September 4, 2019-12 -1:30 p.m. EST (Social Media Training)

September 4, 2019-8 - 9 p.m. EST

September 12, 2019- 2 - 3 p.m.EST (Earned Media Training)

September 12, 2019-8 -9 p.m. EST

September 18, 2019-2 - 3 p.m. EST (Public Narrative Training)

September 18, 2019- 8 - 9p.m. EST

ATTEND A STRIKE OR ACTION WITH OTHER PARENTS

​

Quick Links

QUICK LINKS: Climate strike homepage ⎸ Register for updates ⎸ Host a strike

​

1. STRIKE WITH YOUTH! On September 20, 2019, we strike for our future!
2. If there is not a strike scheduled in your area, host a strike with youth in your community.
3. Post on social media using #ClimateStrike; #StrikeWithUs; #OurPledgeTheirFuture

Questions and Thank You

​

Public narrative training

#ClimateStrike on 9/20 #OurPledgeTheirFuture

​

Public Narrative Training

Training and slides adapted from the work of

Marshall Ganz

and the Leading Change Network

​

Use slides and materials with permission of Mothers Out Front and credit Mothers Out Front.

Email: vanessa.rule@mothersoutfront.org

30

Norms & Best Practices for Video Calls

• Mute yourself when not speaking
• One person at a time - we will keep time carefully
• Say your name and location the first few times you speak
• “Step Up, Step Back”
• It’s safe to take risks!
• There are no stupid questions

​

​

​

Why do we tell stories to create change?

• A story: people like telling & listening to stories!
• People can relate and see themselves in others
• Stories create shared understanding and connections that help build relationships and create community
• Stories touch people emotionally and make them care about the issue
• Stories can move people to ACTION through an ASK!

​

​

​

3 Parts of an Effective Story

Self

Us

Now

Invites others to be in a relationship with you

Invites others to take ACTION

Invites others join your community

How might you use your story�in your work with MOF?�

One-on-one meeting to build

a relationship,

inspire, and invite someone to join you

in this work

You own team

At a Hearing or Meeting to ask decision-makers to take action!

​

You own team

You own team

You own team

At a meeting or rally

to motivate/inspire others

What prevents us from taking action?

Urgency

Anger

Hope

Solidarity

Y.C.M.A.D

Action Motivators

Inertia

Apathy

Fear

Isolation

Self-Doubt

Action Inhibitors

Tips for telling a good story

• Paint a picture -- show, don’t tell
• Suspense
• Details
• A moment in time – not a laundry list or a timeline
• A challenge that was taken on (and the emotions, sacrifice around deciding to take on the challenge)

Be inclusive!

• Consider the experience of the person you are talking to!
• Don’t use insider lingo and acronyms
• Are the references you use in your story inclusive or exclusive to others from different backgrounds, races, cultures, etc?
• Make sure your story is relatable to all moms

​

​

​

​

​

​

SELF: What called you to action?

Choice

Challenge

Outcome

Character

Plot

Moral

US: Who are we calling to action?

Your People

Choice

Outcome

Challenge

NOW: What is Our Challenge? �Our Choice?

Challenge

Choice to be made

Negative

Positive

Your People

​

• What’s the specific action
• When and where?
• Why!

​

​

What are you asking people to do?

​

​

Shout It Out!

Claire Humphrey from Jamaica Plain Mothers Out Front Testifies about gas leaks in Boston - 9-21-15 https://youtu.be/ostS2bZZMF8

Q & A

​

Earned Media Training

#ClimateStrike on 9/20 #OurPledgeTheirFuture

​

Earned Media Events from Start to Finish

westendstrategyteam.com

Agenda

• Identifying and Planning a Strong Earned Media Event
• Executing a Strong Earned Media Event
• Making the Most of Your Earned Media Event
• Example
• Questions

​

What is “Earned Media”?

• “Earned media” is coverage from outlets that you don’t own or pay for, but earn through pitching, events, and other outreach.
• “Paid media” means paying for an advertisement in a newspaper, on TV, online, etc.
• “Owned media” refers to coverage in outlets we own, like the Mothers Out Front website, and our personal social media accounts.

Identifying and Planning a Strong Earned Media Event

Identifying the Opportunity

• When to do an event.
• Do you have a news hook?
• Will it advance your campaign strategy?
• Who/What/Where/When/Why
• You will need a clear answer for each.
• What do you need to make this event a success?

Key Elements of Pre-Event Planning

• Create an outreach plan.
• Identify your speakers and day-of roles.
• Photos, video, social media, and media contact.
• Create and distribute a media advisory.
• Logistical considerations.
• Audio amplification, permits, visuals, etc.

Consider your visuals

Advisory v. Release?

• Media advisories are meant as a “heads up” to media about events that they might be interested in covering. They ensure media can plan ahead to capture content at your event.
• Press releases are disseminated after or during a press conference or announcement. They are used to amplify your event or announcement or respond to a news development.

Media Advisory Example

Media Advisory for DAY, MONTH, YEAR

Contact NAME at EMAIL or PHONE NUMBER

​

HEADLINE

DATELINE – This is my first sentence, and I should put the most important information here. This is my second sentence, and my second-most important information should go here. If someone stops after reading this paragraph, they should know exactly what’s going on.

Media Advisory Example

The second paragraph can give more detail into the event that you’re holding. Remember that the media advisory is only for an upcoming event – you are advising the media on a potential story.

WHO: Your organization and any coalitions

WHAT: Sum up the event in 1-2 sentences.

WHEN: Date, Time

WHERE: Place (specific address, if you can. Give directional markers “On 2^nd Street between the library and the bank” if you can’t).

# # #

Press Release Example

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAY, MONTH, YEAR

Contact NAME at EMAIL or PHONE NUMBER

​

HEADLINE

SUBHEAD

DATELINE – This is my first sentence, and I should the important Who, What, When, Where information here. The Why information can wait until the second sentence. Paragraphs in press releases are only 2-3 sentences long for easy reading.

Press Release Example

A press release should be written in the present or recent past tense. You are describing something that is happening now or happened a short time ago, kind of a like a dispatch.

”Here is a quote,” Alise said. “I can’t believe this quote is so boring.” She refused to give any more boring quotes for this press release.

Josh Glasstetter, a vice president at West End Strategy Team, declined to comment officially, but noted that “everything Alise does is really awesome, so I’m sure the quote is great.”

Finally, President Trump had no comment on the boring quotes that Alise gave. This is the end of the press release.

# # #

Alise’s Organization is an organization of Alise. This organization works to promote Alise whenever possible. Founded in 2019, this organization

Executing a Strong Earned Media Event

Day-Of Details

• Execute the day-of roles.
• Flexibility is key.
• What will people see?
• What will people hear?
• What are the key takeaways?
• Topline message(s).
• List of speakers, affiliations and contact info.

Making the Most of Your Earned Media Event

Following Up on a Successful �Event

• Debrief with communications staff ASAP.
• This helps us figure out how we can most effectively follow up on your hard work.
• Push out your photos and videos on social media.
• Follow up with media to offer interviews and distribute brief statement and/or quotes from participants.
• Make a list of press who attended. Keep tabs to see if they cover you.
• Consider further opportunities for press outreach building upon your event.

Questions?

​

Social Media Training

#ClimateStrike on 9/20 #OurPledgeTheirFuture

​

Welcome!

​

I’m Michele Gielis, Digital Organizer for Mothers Out Front and I’m glad you’re here.

For any follow-up questions after this session, you can reach me at:

michele.gielis@mothersoutfront.org

or 617-583-3457.

​

Welcome!

​

Let’s go around and share:

Your name

Your town/state

What social media accounts you have; your level of comfort with them.

What do you hope to learn today?

Mothers Out Front Social Media Accounts

​

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mothersoutfront/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mothersoutfront

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mothers.out.front/

​

Website: https://www.mothersoutfront.org/

Why use social media?

​

• Increase awareness: Change the conversation. We can spread information not available via mainstream media and reach more people.
• Get news media’s attention
• Grow our organization and campaigns - volunteers!
• Drive traffic to our website to engage people’s interest and encourage action.

​

Social media offer an alternative broadcast and communication medium for nonprofit organizations, a low-cost, interactive tool to speak out and to educate, engage, mobilize, and build rapport with large audiences of supporters.

​

​

Why use social media?

​

Meet people where they are!

​

• Approximately seven-in-ten Americans use social media to share information

​

• Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities and in 2019, 79% of the population in the United States had a social networking profile, representing a two percent increase from 77% usage reach in the previous year.

​

• This equals approximately 247 million U.S. social media users as of 2019.

​

​

Social Media Activism Example

Twitter reaches millions of people.

#FridaysForFuture

August 2018 - Greta Thunberg starts School Strike For Climate. Youth globally begin striking and gaining media attention with #FridaysForFuture tag

​

March 2019 - 1.6M kids participate in Global School Strike For Climate; UN Secretary General calls for a special summit in September to address climate crisis.

#NoDAPL

Indigenous youth living on Standing Rock Sioux Reservation are credited with starting the Dakota Access Pipeline Protests.

​

Activists, celebrities, and the public’s attention was gained through the use of #NoDAPL and #StandWithStandingRock.

​

Video of the 13-year-old girl who started the movement received 1M views in the first 24 hours.

What content works best on social media?

4. Text tweets/posts, share your opinions!

3. Text tweets/posts with links - sharing an article or webpage with your opinion.

2. Tweets/posts with PICTURES! Show people what’s happening to help them feel engaged.

1. Tweets/posts with VIDEO! Selfie videos sharing why you’re taking action are the best!

• 70% of Twitter users watch videos.

​

Parents Are on Strike!

Mothers Out Front will join the global climate strike and are asking all parents, aunts, uncles (and anyone who cares about children) to lead the way and encourage all adults to join. We will show the youth of the world that they are not alone. Once the strikes have ended, we will hold all elected officials and business leaders responsible for doing all they can to ensure a swift and just transition to clean renewable energy.

​

On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the US and world to demand real action to address the climate crisis.

​

Opportunity for Parent/Child interviews

September 20th will bring us to an incredible intergenerational moment when youth leaders will call on the movement to come together. We want to capture those moments through YOU.

We'd like to record interviews of mothers with their children describing how they got involved in the climate movement and why it’s important to them. Interviews can be a in a form of blog, audio or video. If you would like to participate, please email Bimina Ranjit at bimina.ranjit@mothersoutfront.org.

We can coach you to create your own video or lend a hand where needed.

​

​

Ways YOU can support the #ClimateStrike

Take pictures and VIDEOS up to and during your actions for the #Climate Strike.

Share your reason for taking action, what you want to accomplish, your preparations and planning (art builds), the events you're hosting or joining in on, the new people you're connecting with, etc.

Tell YOUR STORY!

• Try a parent/child interview
• Tell us why you care! People want to know.

Tag your elected officials and decision makers when you post.

Consider hosting a twitter storm to to help pressure them to take action. (Contact me for help when you’re ready!)

​

​

​

​

What You’ll Need to Get Started

​

A Twitter Account

or

A Facebook Account

or BOTH!

Click here for a how to sign-up!

Best to choose one to start if you’re busy.

Download the Twitter and Facebook apps to your phone, available in Google Play or Iphone App store.

Questions?

Taking Pictures

Getting Pictures

• Bring your camera/phone if you can
• Shoot landscape frame (horizontal)
• Take many & choose best
• Wait for focus!
• Say cheese!
• Take candids, too
• Get permission (esp with kids)

Why we use Twitter more than Facebook

​

More of your elected officials and decision makers have Twitter accounts than Facebook accounts

So if you want to influence them, call them out or make them aware of your cause, Twitter is the best place to spend your time.

Twitter is more national, more about breaking news and timely information. Facebook is more about community and stories about people

Following the Right Accounts

Start following/liking the accounts you will want to tag

• Mothers Out Front: @MothersOutFront for FB and TW
• Search for thinkers you like
• Your elected officials, campaign targets
• Us! Share your handles in the chat room

Questions?

Would you like a

Twitter demo?

Tweeting

Write a Tweet

• Look for the box that says “what’s happening” at the top of your screen
• Click on it
• Start typing
• 280 characters

​

​

Tagging=@

​

Tag an organization or person if you want to bring something to their attention. This will

• Notify them you tagged them
• Create a live link to their account

#Hashtags!

​

Hashtag: A set of words preceded by # with no spaces or punctuation

More hashtag use = “trending” (greater reach)

#ActOnClimate

​

Liking

​

​

​

​

Retweeting

​

​

​

​

Notifications

Click to see who “liked” or re-Tweeted you!