Campaigning

Balance your elements don't just go for big numbers

This campaign tip (no. 104) was published on Sunday, 14th April 2019

Yesterday, I organised a "litter pick" at Melksham Station ... got about a dozen volunteers. I could have got far more - didn't try all that hard. And that's because there was only enough work for about a dozen ... as it was, we got the job done quickly.

I note - with some amusement - that the organiser of the parallel litter pick at Chippenham station has chosen to boast 30 volunteers. Good for her - they must be very messy in Chippenham if she can find enough litter for them all to pick up to make it worthwhile. Either that all they'll all have turned up, done very little, and the more thoughtful may think "why did we bother".

There's a wider story here too - I can recall being told how poor publicity was on a special trip we were running because he hadn't heard of it before it ran. The complainant didn't realise I did the publicity. But actually I think I got it right as the special trip was full and it would have been pointless over promoting and causing problems. In fact promoting to a "nicely full" level shows a degree of consideration and earns a respect that would not be earned if we promoted to the extent of causing problems.

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Contact details

These pages are written by Graham Ellis of Melksham, Wiltshire. Overlapping a life in IT and IT training, with running a hotel and campaigning for improved public transport, Graham has never been quiet - though he's starting to wind down gently now. He no longer takes overnight guests and has stepped doen from the "Community Rail Officer" role which he accidentally aquired. So he now has more time to write pages such as these and to travel in the UK. He'll be delighted to speak with your group or take a look through your case or camapaign, but be alerted that his time is not limitless even now, and he still has to keep the wolf from the door.

Postal: 48, Spa Road, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 7NY
Phonal: 01225 708225
Emailal: graham -at- wellho.net
Or reach me on the Coffee Shop Forum (User Grahame) facilities