Here are a few ideas to get you started. Always have a sign-in sheet or a laptop with internet set up to www.followtheoilmoney.org and ask visitors to send an email to their Senators and Representatives. Hand out copies of the Separation of Oil and State factsheet and our oily dollar bill with your member’s profile. Don’t forget to invite local media!
- Set up a table at your church, campus, community center, etc.
- Hold a Follow the Oil Money March to bring your community’s attention to the connections between politics and recent gas price fluctuations. March from your local representative’s office to a gas station while passing out our oily dollar bills.
- Visit your elected leaders at upcoming public appearances and ask them to represent you, not the oil industry. An example of a good question is: “I am deeply concerned about the extent of Big Oil’s influence on Washington. Oil is at the core of many of my concerns like the health of our communities, global warming, war, national security, and poverty and developing country debt. Will you refuse campaign contributions from any oil companies, their political action committees and their executives? Will you oppose further federal subsidies to the oil industry?”Catch your representatives’ responses on video and post them online.
- Organize a call-in day or letter writing party to your Senators and Representatives’ offices.
- Partner with a group or organization in your area that is concerned about the impact of our oil addiction. Ask them to incorporate Separation of Oil & State into one of their upcoming events.
- Organize a film screening, book talk, or issues panel. Invite local experts or concerned citizens to speak or lead discussion. Click here for recommended books and films.
Need more tips? Email us at info (at) priceofoil.org for more information.