A Campaign We Love: Blowing the Whistle on Congress

350.org Blowing the Whistle on Congress

Making their second appearance in our occasional “cheers and unsolicited advice” series in this space, today we’re highlighting the latest campaign from 350.org.

We don’t work with 350.org, but we want to give them big cheers for their “Blow the Whistle on Congress” campaign. Three reasons we love it:

1. The campaign is big but focused on a specific active issue.

No “get big money out of politics” here!

This campaign connects a specific, active question (one with a specific piece of legislation soon to be attached) – ending government subsidies for big oil companies – to 350.org’s big sweeping mission to build a global movement solve the climate crisis.

Bonus: the campaign connects the specific legislative ask to Members’ of Congress voting record and the extent they’ve benefited from Big Oil largesse in campaigns. It’s based in information and tells a coherent story about what’s happening. To wit: some Congresspeople are taking big campaign checks from big oil then turning around and voting to spend big tax dollars to subsidize those same companies.

2. The call-to-action acknowledges that not all Members of Congress are the same and promises some strategic targeting.

The online action page leaves out some of the nuance in the email action alert:

We need to be a little nuanced: for those of you with representatives who have been taking lots of oil money and then voting for handouts for oil companies, then the task is clear — they need to hear from some refs. For those of you with representatives who are doing what’s right already, get in touch with us – I’m sure there is some other elected official nearby who needs to hear from some refs.

Perfect: Focused action on the Members of Congress most likely in need of persuasion, without alienating the Members that are allies.

3. The call-to-action is putting people to work on the ground in their own Congressional district – getting the heck out of DC.

Again, quoting the email alert:

You don’t need to wait for your politicians to get home for recess. You can mount a small demonstration outside their office—and if you do it in the run up to the Super Bowl, you’re almost certain to get some media notice. Remember: if one team was buying off the refs in the big game, it would be a national scandal. In DC, it’s business as usual—until now.

I know that in some ways this is harder than traveling to DC to be with a big crowd. But you’re capable of this kind of activism, and it’s what we need so badly right now.

Especially in this election year, holding Members accountable with their voters at home is vital. 350.org rocks for nudging their activists away from flash and toward function. Booyah.

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The reasons we love this campaign point to actionable questions for any campaign: act on specifics to build for the big picture, know enough about the process to do some strategic targeting, focus action on where it will make a difference.

We’re here to help: get in touch to talk through ways to apply these winning lessons to your next campaign: 202-683-8465 or ten.nilgnenull@ofni.