We've seen a number of high-profile OC actions that have been received negatively by the general public, not just by the anti-gunners. I think we can all agree that expending effort to support a strategy that ends up being self-defeating is undesirable.
I've been thinking about this for awhile and have tried to come up with a loose framework of guidelines for developing strategies designed to positively influence the genera public.
1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Put forth genuine effort to learn what you're up against. I'm not talking about trying to feel out the anti-gunners; we already know what they want and there's no way we're going to make them happy. This is about gathering enough information from members of the general public to get an idea of how they will likely perceive certain actions.
Ask objective (non-leading) questions in neutral environments to see what people think about recent events in the news. That means this kind of research can't be conducted while OC'ing. It shouldn't be done while wearing your "Cold Dead Hands" T-shirt. Don't push your views or argue any points when you're gathering information, you're not evangelizing, you're doing research.
WRITE the results down as soon after the exchange as possible. Don't trust your memory to give you an accurate summary of a number of "interviews".
Look around online. Not just at the websites you frequent, but at some of the websites you would normally avoid. It's important to have a general understanding the variety of views out there.
Look at poll results to get a feel for the numerical breakdown of how people are likely to think and react to your strategy.
This step is hard, it takes time and effort and isn't fun, but it isn't one that can be skipped. If our goal is to be a positive influence, it's critical to understand how our actions will be perceived by those we wish to positively influence. The alternative is blind trial and error, and it's an understatement to call that a foolish strategy.
2. GET ADVICE. A wise man once said that "Plans go wrong for lack of advice but many advisors bring success." That does NOT mean to consult a circle of like-minded friends; it means seeking counsel from a wide variety of persons with a wide variety of views. Not everyone who is consulted has to be happy with the resulting plan (it's impossible to satisfy everyone), but the planner needs to carefully consider all the points of view in the process of creating a strategy.
It's important to understand how critical this step is. The same wise man stated that everything fools do seems right to them but a wise person listens to advice. It's NOT enough to look at a plan and judge it exclusively based on how you, personally (or other people with nearly identical views), feel about it. Remember, a sound strategy requires wise guidance and success depends on having many advisors.
3. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY. Make sure that everything done has a clear, easily understood, easily stated goal that will make sense to the general public--the group we are trying to positively influence. Avoid jargon, cliches and catch-phrases that may be familiar to firearm enthusiasts but foreign to the general public. This lesson was driven home recently to me when my gun club put out some club T-shirts with the motto 'RKBA' on them. It was surprising how many people, even some in the club, had to ask what 'RKBA' stood for. Remember, the message isn't being sent to you or people who think like you. You have to keep your audience in mind.
If a particular activity can't be summed up clearly or can't be shown to be directly related to a desired outcome, drop it. The goals must be kept in the forefront and it should be easy to clearly state why you or your group is doing something if someone asks.
Make sure that everyone working with you understands the goals and is on board with the plan. Plan for the possibility of your group members being asked to explain their actions.
There should be an obvious appearance of order and strategy to outside observers and that kind of organization doesn't come automatically or accidentally.
4. FORM GUIDELINES AND ENFORCE THEM. Make sure that there are rules that everyone working towards your strategy understands and agrees to uphold. Enforce the rules. Don't welcome just anyone to join your cause and don't tolerate those who refuse to cooperate or won't agree to the guidelines. Any participant in a demonstration may, at the drop of a hat, end up being a de facto spokesman for you and everyone who is working with you. Don't be fooled into thinking that the strength of numbers can make up for the disadvantages created by rogue members.
It's too late to come up with rules AFTER a public opinion SNAFU.
I've been thinking about this for awhile and have tried to come up with a loose framework of guidelines for developing strategies designed to positively influence the genera public.
1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Put forth genuine effort to learn what you're up against. I'm not talking about trying to feel out the anti-gunners; we already know what they want and there's no way we're going to make them happy. This is about gathering enough information from members of the general public to get an idea of how they will likely perceive certain actions.
Ask objective (non-leading) questions in neutral environments to see what people think about recent events in the news. That means this kind of research can't be conducted while OC'ing. It shouldn't be done while wearing your "Cold Dead Hands" T-shirt. Don't push your views or argue any points when you're gathering information, you're not evangelizing, you're doing research.
WRITE the results down as soon after the exchange as possible. Don't trust your memory to give you an accurate summary of a number of "interviews".
Look around online. Not just at the websites you frequent, but at some of the websites you would normally avoid. It's important to have a general understanding the variety of views out there.
Look at poll results to get a feel for the numerical breakdown of how people are likely to think and react to your strategy.
This step is hard, it takes time and effort and isn't fun, but it isn't one that can be skipped. If our goal is to be a positive influence, it's critical to understand how our actions will be perceived by those we wish to positively influence. The alternative is blind trial and error, and it's an understatement to call that a foolish strategy.
2. GET ADVICE. A wise man once said that "Plans go wrong for lack of advice but many advisors bring success." That does NOT mean to consult a circle of like-minded friends; it means seeking counsel from a wide variety of persons with a wide variety of views. Not everyone who is consulted has to be happy with the resulting plan (it's impossible to satisfy everyone), but the planner needs to carefully consider all the points of view in the process of creating a strategy.
It's important to understand how critical this step is. The same wise man stated that everything fools do seems right to them but a wise person listens to advice. It's NOT enough to look at a plan and judge it exclusively based on how you, personally (or other people with nearly identical views), feel about it. Remember, a sound strategy requires wise guidance and success depends on having many advisors.
3. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY. Make sure that everything done has a clear, easily understood, easily stated goal that will make sense to the general public--the group we are trying to positively influence. Avoid jargon, cliches and catch-phrases that may be familiar to firearm enthusiasts but foreign to the general public. This lesson was driven home recently to me when my gun club put out some club T-shirts with the motto 'RKBA' on them. It was surprising how many people, even some in the club, had to ask what 'RKBA' stood for. Remember, the message isn't being sent to you or people who think like you. You have to keep your audience in mind.
If a particular activity can't be summed up clearly or can't be shown to be directly related to a desired outcome, drop it. The goals must be kept in the forefront and it should be easy to clearly state why you or your group is doing something if someone asks.
Make sure that everyone working with you understands the goals and is on board with the plan. Plan for the possibility of your group members being asked to explain their actions.
There should be an obvious appearance of order and strategy to outside observers and that kind of organization doesn't come automatically or accidentally.
4. FORM GUIDELINES AND ENFORCE THEM. Make sure that there are rules that everyone working towards your strategy understands and agrees to uphold. Enforce the rules. Don't welcome just anyone to join your cause and don't tolerate those who refuse to cooperate or won't agree to the guidelines. Any participant in a demonstration may, at the drop of a hat, end up being a de facto spokesman for you and everyone who is working with you. Don't be fooled into thinking that the strength of numbers can make up for the disadvantages created by rogue members.
It's too late to come up with rules AFTER a public opinion SNAFU.
