ACTION PLAYBOOK
Collaborate with local partners
Equip broader audiences to take timely action on climate policy and build connective tissue with groups that are doing related work.
Step 1: Make a list of potential collaborators
📓 Open a blank drafting space, like your notes app.
✍️Let’s make a list of groups, organizations, and/or institutions that share our concern for climate action, but aren’t politically active or civically engaged. You should also list groups that are civically active but not (yet) on climate, as well as groups who are already doing work at the intersection of climate and politics.
⭐️ Add a star on the list if you are personally connected to someone who is a member of or in a leadership position at one of the groups – but no worries if not!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Local climate networking groups or discussion groups. Your company or campus’ green team
A mission-aligned company, like a climate-tech startup, a renewable energy company, or local farm.
Your book club, parents group, sports team, etc.
Local chapters of the Democratic Party, Republican Party, DSA, etc.
Local chapters of national climate action organizations, like Climate Reality Project or Sunrise Movement.
The office of your elected officials, like your city councilor or member of Congress.
Don’t be afraid to dream big! You can always make a partner wishlist and then ask in public. Tag organizations directly, and ask your network to facilitate connections. Here’s an awesome example on LinkedIn (see the original):
Step 2: Draft your message and reach out!
🎯 Choose the first potential partner to reach out to. Know someone who is a member of (or leads) one of these groups? Start there. And if you don’t know anyone, reach out all the same! Each and every single one of us has the power to start building relationships. We just have to put ourselves out there.
✍️ Draft your message. Here’s a solid outline for your outreach:
Introduce yourself and your connection to Climate Changemakers
Establish common objectives
Propose a concrete idea
End with actionable next steps
💡 What kind of concrete collaboration should I propose?
Co-brand and co-promote an upcoming Hour of Action. E.g. The D. C. Action Team co-branded and co-promoted an Hour of Action with a local climate networking group for young professionals.
Connect for a “get to know you” call – maybe make it a standing sync! E.g. The Brooklyn Action Team attends monthly briefing calls from other New York-based climate action organizations.
Bring a facilitated action opportunity to an upcoming event or gathering. E.g. Ben partnered with his campus Green Team to host a Climate Changemakers event. E.g. Sri and Angela brought climate action to a conference they attended by hosting a take-action table.
Anything else is fair game, so long as it 1) Gets more people advocating for climate policy, and/or 2) Builds connections and relationships among people doing similar work.
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“Hi there, Jenny! I see you’re the community liaison for Jefferson City Composting Cooperative. My name’s Annie and I’m part of a group called Climate Changemakers [YOUR CITY], a network of volunteer climate advocates here in [YOUR CITY].
I saw on your website that food waste is a major focus of the co-op. We advocate for a whole range of climate solutions, including food waste policy because of its connection to climate. It seems like there might be some natural overlap!
I’m reaching out because we run a local weekly Hour of Action every [day, location, etc] where we come together and take political action. I would love to connect with you and see if there are any opportunities for us to collaborate in the coming year.
Are you or a member of the Co-op available for a short call in the next few weeks?”
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“Hi Elizabeth! It was so cool to attend the local Climate Action chapter meeting. It feels really good to be in the room with so many passionate people. I’ve recently been going to Climate Changemakers [Your City]’s weekly Hours of Action, which happen every [day, place, time]. You mentioned during the meeting that you’re always looking for more programming for the group. Maybe we could pick an upcoming Hour of Action to co-brand and roll out the red carpet to Climate Action members?”
👋 Now, reach out!
If you have a personal contact: Send your message as an email – or better yet, pick up the phone to call or FaceTime, using the notes you drafted to guide the conversation! You can also always schedule a time to meet IRL.
If you’re reaching out for the first time: Look for an org-wide contact email or phone number on the group’s website and draft an email. You can use social media to slide into the DMs of the org or their current staff/group leaders. You can also try posting publicly (see above!).
Step 3: Follow up and follow through!
You did it! Congratulations on being a connector-extraordinaire. After patting yourself on the back, don’t forget to set a reminder to follow up on your outreach if you don’t hear back. A good rule of thumb is to allow about 3-5 days for your recipient to respond before reaching back out.
Sample follow-up:
“Hello, Josh! I’m writing to circle back about connecting with you about a potential climate event collaboration. I’d love to explore bringing your team’s expertise on local climate solutions to my volunteer advocacy group!
Take care, Joan”
When you do hear back, it is important to be timely and respectful in your communication. Remember, this is a new potential climate friend and ally! We want to make a good impression. That means:
Respond promptly to their reply.
Express respect, interest, and enthusiasm about the potential for a partnership.
Be proactive about planning a time to connect. It was your idea, after all!
“Great to hear back from you, Jerry! I’m so glad this is of interest to you and other chapter leaders. Let’s connect sometime next week – is Thursday afternoon after the general body meeting alright?”
Pro-tip: It’s always best to have a next step for the partnership. Reached out and they responded? Set up a call! Scheduled the call? Plan to ask them to put a collab on the calendar! The collab was a success? Schedule a follow-up call!
Now that you’ve established a relationship, with maintenance and care you can grow this connection into an awesome long-term partnership!
And that’s it, playbook complete! Feel accomplished.
Thank you for taking action.
🎉 CUE CONFETTI by clicking COMPLETE! 🎉
Want more action?
Go to the current Action Plan
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