Everything you might to do when you run a campaign and everyone who might be able to help.
The aim of running a campaign is to bring about change. If the changes you want to bring about are clearly defined then other agencies with similar aims and objectives may be able to work with you (check out UCLU societies to see if they could support you in your campaign).
In short, change can be brought about by people who understand your message and through this awareness want to make a contribution to your efforts in affecting change. Therefore, your message has to be clear. So you have to define what this message is and who your audience is so that you can decide who to tell your message to.
Here are some ideas: student, local and national press. Remember when contacting press to always get in touch with the Editorial pages as anything published on these pages is free publicity coverage. There are many Campaigning and Lobby Groups that might also like to contribute. You might also like to suggest the story to UCL Media Relations who have an extensive press network available.
You could also research UCL Alumni through the Development Office, who might have an interest in your campaign and who would like to make a contribution. In fact, hearsay has it, that it was through this network that the student Oyster discount card evolved.
And don’t forget NUS who might be running a similar campaign and with whom you might wish to collaborate or from which to access additional resources.Remember also, your local government councillors and MP.
In house we have: Representation & Campaigns can help with keeping track of your allocated budget. Consider boosting your budget by applying for extra funding from the UCL Friends’ Trust.
R&C will also help with supporting campaign work, whether its project support or advise on strategies and research. We might be able to advise you of other agencies with which you might collaborate or a strategy that will give optimum publicity. We are also able to advise you on who to lobby or on writing a petition or press release.
You may need to group together a working group and need advice on who would have specialist skills to contribute to the group.
But uppermost, keep in mind that your fellow students are your best resource – take a look at the Union societies – how many have aims common to your campaign echoed in just their names alone? Consider collaborating with Debating Society in organising an event to raise awareness around a campaign. Finally, bring your networking skills to play and remember that joining up all the available dots is often what successful campaigning is all about!