Template for Campus Action

Developed from EPS Foam Ban Campaign, University of Hawaii UH Manoa Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 by Doorae Shin, Brower Youth Award Winner 2014

Project: Eliminate EPS foam (styrofoam) from all campus foodservice vendors

Partners: “Surfrider Foundation Oʻahu Chapter at UH Manoa, Sierra Club, Sustainable Coastlines, and Surfrider Foundation

Campaign Process:

Form a Strategy Team . Identify a leader and assign responsibilities (petition coordinator, tabling assignments, campus media outreach, community organization liaison, etc.)

Draft a Petition:  Specify exact targets for ban and specific action demanded – e.g. “We call upon these companies (specify) to take responsibility by ending the use of EPS foam and replacing them with compostable products.  Include a “pledge” column for signers to initial to indicate a personal commitment to the cause – i.e. reduce their purchases of products that come in EPS foam and/or to ask vendors for an alternative, eco-friendly product  Add option for petition signers to add a star next to their name to get updates (in this case, from Surfrider Foundation UH)

Build a constituency of pledged supporters:

Outreach to administrators :

 Research opportunities to meet with and present to campus administrators.  Target receptive administrators to get their pledge of support.

Post an online petition:

 Specify a goal with the number of signers and a deadline.  Keep it a short time to maintain tension and interest  Post progress updates on SM

Tabling: Set up a table in a high traffic area on campus  Identify specific days and times  Set up a schedule with student volunteers o Goals are: . to collect signatures . Inform students of the issue  Assign at least one student at the table  Assign at least one student to circulate among the crowd Other Outreach: . Talk to friends and community members . Spread the word through e-mail blasts & social media . Approach campus radio and newspaper for feature stories and interviews

Get faculty & sustainability groups involved . Find partners organizations with similar goals. . Is there a sustainability council at your school? . A local chapter of the Sierra Club . Create a working group from the strategy team and other pledged partners

Connect directly with organizations targeted by the action . Set up an ongoing regular dialogue – strive for monthly meetings . Conduct research to use as specific data when meeting with target organizations . Learn what the challenges are for the targeted organizations in order for them to make a change.

Overcoming Challenges – Creativity and Initiative are your allies! . Search for funding sources on campus or in-kind donations for printing flyers . Explore paperless options like creating informational slides that can be show regularly in areas like the cafeteria

What’s Next? – Brainstorm what your group can tackle next to continue making change with the powerful voices and energy of the supporters you’ve inspired with your leadership.