Proof Through the Night

Tips For Inviting Others

Step #1 Decide who to invite.

a. Invite someone who you know well and have a good relationship to. This usually means friends and some family members.

b. Don't invite someone who is really busy or really dislikes politics.

c. Don't invite more than two people at once, unless you are inviting a small group of people who will work together.

d. Invite someone who will probably be open to being supported by you.

Step #2 Plan what you will say to them based on THEIR preferences. For example, some people are persuaded by logic, others by personal testimonials, and others by results. You should know your friend or family member well enough to know what is likely to persuade them. By the way, you do want to talk to them either in person or on the phone. An email or letter is not likely to get enough attention.

Specifically, you probably want to talk about five things when you meet:

1. What PTTN is (one-stop shopping for empowerment: an online course, and a set of strategies to change American politics.)

2. What you personally love and appreciate about the program. What inspired you to participate? Probably the chain reaction strategy impressed you as being believable. And you probably appreciated being able to access all the needed resources through one website.

3. How participation will personally help them. (This is the most important part!) Everyone has concerns and issues that they care about. Most people have concerns about the economy, health care, the security and education of their children, safety in the community, and the environment. You should know who you are talking to well enough to know their primary concerns. If not, ask them! Then explain how PTTN can help their lives and can speak to their issues.

4. Plan to LISTEN to their reaction. Often you will hear objections and reservations. But this is very important: Start by acknowledging their FEELINGS. If they are angry or pessimistic or overwhelmed, you need to empathize with that. These are legitimate feelings. Then figure out how participation in PTTN can help them feel better. For instance, they will begin to have their voice heard; they will be able to channel that anger or frustration. Or your support will keep them from being overwhelmed.

5. Plan to talk again. Ask them to look at the website. Then mutually decide on a specific time when you will check back with them and begin to work with them.

Step # 3 Make the call or send the email asking them for 15-20 minutes to talk with them. Here's a model email:

Hi Sue,

I'd like to talk to you about a new program I've joined that I really think can revitalize American politics. It's called Proof Through the Night. At first I was skeptical, but this program has a lot of high-leverage strategies. I took their online course and I've much more optimistic about using politics to create positive change. Of course, it's not the answer to everything, nothing is. But I really think this can turn things around. I'd like to meet to talk to you about it. When would be a good time? We probably will need only about 15 minutes or so.

Step # 4 Be sure to follow through. If they are interested in participating, suggest that you and they use the Buddy system so you can support them as they work through the online course, and so they can support you to do your news intake, and advocacy.

If they decide not to participate, don't feel too badly. It's likely that someday someone else will ask them again. Then, as long as you didn't create a bad impression (for instance, by pushing too hard) they will be much more likely to participate -- thanks, in part, to YOU!