The decision to build new nuclear weapons
threatens us all. This event will allow your community to have a
voice in deciding the future of U.S. nuclear weapons policy by providing
a forum for comments to be recorded in the federal record.
Although this specific event is focused specifically
on the comment period for the Department of Energy’s proposed
nuclear Complex Transformation, it is important that this debate
and these events continue long after the Complex Transformation is defeated! This
work plan can be altered to fit whatever nuclear issue.
This document gives a 4 to 6 week timetable
for planning a community event. Not all events require this much
time, especially if you are building on an existing event or have
a large working group. Cater your hearing and timetable to your
community. Remember, we are available to assist you at every
step of the process! For
a sample agenda, go to: www.ananuclear.org
- Compose a short announcement to describe the event, giving
the date, time, place and local contact information.
Make sure to use attention graphics and an appealing design.
- Circulate an announcement via your email lists, co-sponsors’ and
other email lists, websites, newsletters, etc. Try to place
your announcement into all print media, such as newspaper community
event columns and calendars, weekly papers and “shoppers,” and
church newsletters and programs. Many publications have
pre-determined deadlines, so be sure to check to make sure your
event gets listed.
- Encourage your organizing committee and your members to make
public announcements at events.
- Identify local key media outlets like newspaper, weekly papers
call in radio shows and local television stations. Send
your meeting announcement to them. Be sure to check their submission
deadlines.
- Submit ‘letters to the editor’ and ‘op-eds’ for
publication – use examples provided on our website. The
letters can be used to advertise your event or to simply
talk about nuclear weapons issues.
- Continue asking organizations to co-sponsor.
- Try to schedule guest(s) on local and state-wide call-in shows. Your
hearing and why you are organizing it is important
news that needs discussion. We can help you find an ‘expert’ to
be a guest if you want.
- Scheduling: Plan the program to include an educational speaker
and/or slide show about Complex Transformation/U.S.
Nuclear Weapons Policy and its consequences for your
community (we can help with this).
- Create a flyer to advertise your event. Get volunteers
to help post the flyers around town at coffee shops, libraries,
community centers, universities, community colleges.
- Contact relevant student groups at universities, community
colleges, high schools, or faith-based organizations. Invite
them to participate and to post announcements in their calendars
and their events. Optional: Ask teachers to offer extra credit
to their students for participating.
- Continue asking organizations to co-sponsor.
Week 4
(1 week before event)
- Send out reminders to your cosponsors and other colleague
organizations. Ask them to repost the announcement
or write a new one with guest speakers if you have
them confirmed.
- Continue asking organizations to co-sponsors.
- Prepare materials, such as comment postcards available at the
hearing, as well as fact sheets, talking points and
a sign-up sheet.
- If you are providing refreshments, try to get donations and
make plans to gather the items before hand.
- Figure out who will be doing different jobs at the event. Here
are some suggestions for Volunteers:
1 person at sign in table (this person will be in charge of
putting up signs for the event)
1 person to handle documents (this person will give
the sign-up sheet of speakers to the moderator)
1 person to video or record
1 person to moderate the event
1 person floating around
1 person to time the length of speeches
National Hearings on U.S. Nuclear Policy