Re: [Fsfe-uk] Swpat accepted; what now?

[Tom Chance]

On Monday 07 Mar 2005 11:55, Alex Hudson wrote:
> I would to see even more people participate in getting their MEP onside,
> but I wonder what other activity would be useful? Should we be trying to
> get more media coverage?

I think the main thing should be to get as many people as possible to work on 
their MEPs, i.e. actually following up on letters, and in particular to get 
executives in small and medium businesses to do lots more work.

A good first letter, followup letters, phonecalls and face-to-face meetings 
can do wonders. Just sending the tired first letter and never following up is 
really a waste of time by now.

They will all have had the standard pitch by now, but we can try to steel the 
resolve those supportive of our position (Greens, Plaid Cymru, SNP and UKIP, 
the odd Tory and Labour MEP) whilst also trying to persuade those who might 
yet be swayed.

Though how do you propose to coordinate this with the FFII-UK? Presumably 
we'll need to produce another action sheet that gives everyone:

- the good news / dirt on their MEPs in an accessible manner
- the main points to press home tailored for those who support / oppose us
- a quick guide to effectively lobbying the MEPs

The AFFS can then make lots of noise about this in the FOSS friendly media, 
and try to convince free softies to actually do the legwork. But again, that 
would need coordination with the FFII-UK's press stuff (so with Rufus 
Pollock).

Thoughts?

Regards,
Tom