Campaigning Methods

There are various ways of bringing attention to injustice issues and we would encourage you to be creative in the way that you challenge injustice. It may be that organising prayer walks or prayer protests are more appropriate than letter writing or using postcards. SPEAK is trying to encourage "Direct Action Prayer" which involves going to a strategic place in close proximity to decision makers to pray, petitioning God and people at the same time.

Don't be afraid to try something new and different.

Local SPEAK Groups

In the UK the network has developed in such a way that we have decided that it is appropriate to begin encouraging people to form SPEAK local groups. This means that the groups are able to meet regularly for action and prayer in their own local area. This is proving to be an effective way of organising the network because it means that we can organise prayer and action without having to travel to a central location. For example, on December 3rd 1999 groups from throughout the UK organised a prayer vigil for refugees in prominent places in their own locations. The idea was to pray for the world's most vulnerable people and to bring attention to the poor treatment of asylum seekers and refugees coming to the UK. The idea of SPEAK groups is that they are flexible and can fit in with whatever is appropriate in their individual locality.

In the UK the SPEAK groups exist in colleges, universities, schools and churches. Some of them meet more regularly than others. In churches and Christian Unions the SPEAK group can act as a catalyst to the groups as a whole, motivating people to incorporate challenging injustice into their essential view of discipleship and walking the Christian walk. The idea is not to create more unnecessary meetings but to be a forum for action and prayer.

The SPEAK Groups Co-ordinator

In the UK we have a SPEAK groups co-ordinator who travels and visits those people wanting to set up groups to support and advise them in the process. If you decide that setting up local groups is a good way to organise your network then it is important that one of the people on your central team acts as the SPEAK groups co-ordinator. There is a manual we have produced on how to set up a local group. Get in contact with us (see address below) if you would like one to give to people in your country setting up a local group or if you would like us to translate it for you.

Forming Partnerships

In the UK SPEAK works in partnership with other respected organisations such as Tear Fund, Christian Aid, and World Vision. These organisations assist in an advisory role to SPEAK (each has representatives on the advisory committee). They also assist with giving information to the research team. These organisations give funding to SPEAK in the UK. It is likely that there are similar organisations which you could contact in your own country (some organisations may be based there while others may be conducting projects there). These organisations may be able to assist you with advice, support and funding.

Forming a Database/Address Details

Keeping a record of the contact details, names and addresses of those involved in your network is important because it enables the network to work effectively. Without the contact details of people it will be difficult to co-ordinate your action and prayer. Make it easy for people to get involved and join in.

You could give people a card with spaces for their details to fill in. It is probably good to make it a stamped, addressed card so that people can just post it back to you. Produce address list forms and give them to the organising team so that they can encourage people to join when they are traveling around sharing the vision.

If you have access to the technology the easiest method is to store the addresses on a database (make sure you keep copies on several different discs). Keep reminding people on the database to inform you when their addresses or contact details change. Remember that a box containing pieces of paper can work as an adequate database, if need be.

Spreading the Vision

Look for opportunities to share the vision with other groups and to encourage them to get involved. Ask for five to ten minutes to share the vision at other Church meetings, conferences and at Christian Unions at universities. If your group can afford it get together a travel budget. It is good to share the vision at other places across the country. In this way the network can grow, develop and become more effective on a national level.

The SPEAK Stall

It is good to be able to put together a simple table display to use at events and conferences giving information about what your campaign and prayer network does. You can display the mailing list for people to sign. A less costly way of doing this is to attach information to notice boards which you can carry around easily and then prop them up behind a table.

Using Other Networks

Where possible it is good to get the support of other networks and groups. There are likely to be other Church networks or student/youth networks in your country. Make a list of all the major networks in your country. Find out who the leaders of each of those networks are and write to them telling them about what you are doing. Ask them for advice and support. Ask if there are any ways that they could help you share the vision for the network. This could be through their newsletter or through a conference they are organising. It is probably a good idea to set up an advisory group. You could ask them if they would like to join the advisory group, which would give them a way of inputting into the network

Advisory Group

It is good to be able to draw on the advice and experience of people who are involved in similar kinds of work, whether it is work with students, community projects or other prayer networks. These people can help keep you accountable for what you are doing. Try to involve people in your country in this. It is up to you how often you organise for the advisory group to meet with your team. It is good to bear in mind that the advisory group are likely to be very busy so you need to arrange meetings with them well in advance. In the UK representatives from the committee also have meetings with people from the advisory group when it is convenient for them.

Legal Status

In time as your network develops and your resources increase it may be appropriate to seek recognised legal status for your group. The legal arrangements in each country vary considerably, so it is hard to give advice that is appropriate for everyone. In the UK SPEAK is registering the education, research and prayer aspect of its work as a charity and the campaigning aspect of its work as a company. In the UK it is difficult for campaign groups to be registered as charities. For the first two years of SPEAK in the UK the network was not at a stage where we needed to pursue recognised legal status.

If there are no legal requirements for you to gain recognized legal status, and no advantages (e.g. increased funding) then it may simply be the best option not to gain this status. In this situation you will have to be very careful that the proper accountability structures exist.

Getting an Office

As the network develops the necessary administration will also increase. As a team you may find it difficult to cope (especially if you are a totally student-based team). In time it may be helpful to be able to find office space. We are aware that with scarce financial resources this can be difficult. You could ask people who are sympathetic to support you by lending or donating you some space.

Some ideas of places to try:

• Churches
• Partner organisations/other sympathetic organisations
• Universities/chaplaincies
• Local community buildings
• Youth networks
• Friends with spare rooms

Developing a Staff Support Team

It may be necessary to develop a staff team to be able to handle the extra administration. If you cannot find the financial resources to support staff it may be necessary to establish your own volunteer staff system that ensures that all the work is covered. Put together an office rota and make sure the tasks are clear and that people are aware of their area of responsibility.

Gaining Legitimacy

The process by which your network gains legitimacy and a good reputation in your country will probably take a long time. However, persist and don't get discouraged: the more organisations and networks support you, the more widespread acceptance you are likely to gain. It is good to build up a council of reference of respected leaders who support you.

Press Coverage and Using the Media

If your group consider it an appropriate method of campaigning you could find ways of getting press coverage for your actions. This could include sending press releases to newspapers, radio and TV stations.

You could also set up a web page which gives regular information for action and prayer as well as information about what your network is doing. Check out the SPEAK Sweden website for ideas.

Keep Us Informed

The vision of SPEAK is that it is helpful if students and young adults communicate about what they are organising. If you decide to get a campaign and prayer network going please let us know so that we can support you in prayer and inform others about what is happening. We can also send you the international update letter.

If you need financial assistance in what you are doing please don't hesitate to share this with us. It may be possible that we can pass this information on to our funders (we can't make any promises, though).

The International Forum

If you would like your group to be part of the international forum or to be invited to the first international forum meeting please contact us at the address below. This can apply to already established groups or people in the process of setting up a campaign and prayer network.

We will keep you informed about the international network and put your group on the international mailing list.

We may conduct some meetings over the Internet, but we recognise that not everyone has access to the Internet so we consider it our responsibility to find a variety of ways of communicating so we can all have an equal opportunity to participate.

End Note

We hope that this manual has been of help. If you are in need of any more help, advice or support then please don't hesitate to contact us. We are eager to hear your news. We'd also love to hear any suggestions you have for improving this manual.

Contact Details
Postal: SPEAK,
The Crypt,
St.Peter's Church,
Northchurch,
London.
N1 4DA
UK
Web: www.speak.org.uk
Email:
Telephone: +44 020 7249 4309
Fax: 020 7241 5248