dorm storming
Go where the students are – their dorms!! Knock on doors to canvass to talk with them, ask questions, and hand out DM information. It’s a great way to spread DM information and recruit DM members.
Tips for Success:
Choose dorms or student living areas, especially with first year students. and figure out how to gain access.
DM members can canvass in teams if they feel more comfortable.
Pick an issue that students care about and create a one minute rap introducing yourself and the issue.
Wear a DM button to identify yourself and introduce yourself as a member of DMI, saying this will only take a minute or two.
Have a statement you want to make, a couple of questions to ask or a petition to sign. Write it out as a script, but memorize it. Don’t read it!
DM members role play and practice canvassing at a meeting to get more comfortable.
Leave a one page flyer with brief information about the issue, about DM and contact information.
If there are questions you can’t answer tell the student you will try to find out and get back to them.
If students want to talk longer than a minute or two, that’s great!
Sample scripts:
“Hi. My name is __. I am part of a new student group called Democracy Matters and I’ll only take a minute of your time. We are getting other students involved in fixing expanding our democracy. Did you know that (e.g. examples of a couple of facts), Students all over the country are getting active. Here is a flyer that explains the issue and our group. It also has information on how you can get involved.”
OR ask a couple of questions: “Hi, My name is ______. Can you tell me what you think is the biggest problem facing our society?” or “Do you think climate change is a personal threat to you? to others?” Then talk briefly about that issue, and hand them the flyer.
OR you can ask them to sign your petition, or sign a short letter to their elected representative related to the issue.
