Free State Project Lights of Liberty

While the FSP generally recruits self-identifying libertarians, during our outreach efforts we frequently have to explain what libertarianism is. There is no sense in our re-creating educational materials when other organizations have already done a good job of it. One of the most famous tools is The World's Smallest Political Quiz (TWSPQ), which The Advocates for Self-Government incorporate into their Operation Politically Homeless kits. The FSP has procured a large amount of OPH materials; please contact our Events Coordinator if you are interested in using some. As described below, The Advocates offer some additional incentive for making use of them. It should not be difficult to find a receptive audience. In Cato Policy Analysis 580, The Libertarian Vote, David Boaz and David Kirby report finding "9 to 13 percent libertarians in the Gallup surveys, 14 percent in the Pew Research Center Typology Survey, and 13 percent in the American National Election Studies, generally regarded as the best source of public opinion data." Find a sleeping libertarian and wake him up!

The Advocates' Lights of Liberty Program

The Advocates for Self-Government recognize people who have spread the word of liberty by numbering them among the Lights of Liberty. There are three ways to qualify: 3 or more published letters to the editor 3 or more speeches 3 or more Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booths Do all three, and you've completed the "Libertarian Triathlon". The FSP strongly encourages its volunteers to support The Advocates' LoL program. This is truly a great way to structure outreach efforts. Be sure to take a photograph and record notes about how things went. In this way we can share experiences and improve our effectiveness.

OPH Best Practices

Of course, the goal of running an OPH booth is not just to get your name on a list, but to educate people and sway them in the libertarian direction. Time has shown that some ways are more effective than others, with the most important factors being where, who, and how. The Advocates offer a downloadable set of OPH Manuals. Below are a few more tips. Where: In general, you want to run an OPH booth in a place or at an event with a large number of people with time to spend on you. The bulk of the people should be neither already self-identifying libertarians (e.g. an LP convention) nor unlikely libertarians (e.g. a Brady Campaign conference). Ideal candidates are single-issue freedom events, e.g. for gun rights, industrial hemp, educational freedom, etc. Who: obviously, it helps if you are extroverted, charismatic, cheerful, and all that. Know yourself: if you are not the right personality type, compensate for it, or turn your attention on other outreach methods (e.g. LTEs). How: make sure the booth is in a place where people feel comfortable stopping by for a while.

FSP Participants Among the 2005 Lights of Liberty

FSP participants are of course among the most active libertarians, and it is no surprise that many of them appear on the LoL list. Below are some that we have recognized, but there are probably many more:

• Ian Bernard
• Fred Childress
• Brian Sullivan
• Hardy Machia

Looking For Adventure, Excitement and Romance?

The FSP is currently seeking explorers, freedom fighters, and secret agents to get involved in the following areas (knowledge of ancient forgotten languages, ninja skills, and sultry good looks a plus, but training will be available):

NEW HAMPSHIRE INFO
We have several exciting positions available as we revamp and expand the New Hampshire Information area of the FSP website. These positions include:

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESEARCHER/WRITER
We'd like to find someone who can research New Hampshire's history, climate, and/or recreation opportunities and more and do custom write ups on them for our website and New Hampshire Information brochures. If you like research and writing, this is the job for you. Being in state is not necessary for this task.

FSP NEWS REPORTER
A reporter to cover Porcupine activism and liberty news in New Hampshire. This helps to answer the question asked by people in the other 49 states, "what's going on in New Hampshire?"

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR PROJECT MANAGERS
If you like working with people and projects, I could really use some help in following up with our increasing number of enthusiastic volunteers, finding the best roles to fit their visions and talents, and helping them nurture their projects to fruition. Bonus: you get to work with a really swell guy and show him what he's been doing wrong all this time. (Note that several people can fill this position)

PRESS RELEASE PREPARATION/DISTRIBUTION
Let's give 'em some REAL news! Stay tuned to newsworthy events happening in the FSP community, prepare press releases and distribute them via PR Web and other sources. If you'd rather just write or just distribute, this position can be done as a team.

COLLEGE GROUP LEADER
If you are currently enrolled or work at a college, please consider hosting an FSP group on your campus.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
We are looking for someone experienced with fundraising to lead and direct the FSP fundraising activities.

ASSOCIATE FSP NEWS EDITOR
Works with the Editor doing story research, write-ups and layout for the monthly newsletter. Time commitment is 5-20 hours per month, average computer and web skills. Will train.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PARTICIPANT SERVICES

These are just some of the many volunteer opportunities available with the Free State Project. You can view other openings on the Organizational Chart. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Nik Ludwig for more information, and thank you for helping achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime!

02/25/06

Community Liaison Outreach
Ideas and Options

by Jean Alexander • 11/17/04

Basic Communication

• Set up a Yahoo group for your community. I have FSPHomeschooling and we cover homeschooling and education issues.

• Promote your Yahoo group ... on the FSP forum, in other related email lists, bulletin boards, forums, etc.

• Use your FSP email address, the FSP website address, FSP slogan, link info for your group.

• whichever of these works best for you -- in your email signature line.

• Join email lists, bulletin boards, other forums related to your community. Comment on FSP as appropriate.

• Do regular internet searches on your topic (once a week is probably enough). Share information with your communities. If a story hits a particular nerve, consider forwarding it to Publicity/Advertising for consideration for a shadow ad.

• Write LTEs and other responses to articles on your community.

• If you're a radio listener watch out for talk radio programs related to your community, listen to them and be prepared to call in!

Community Leaders

• Write, email or otherwise contact leaders in your community. Introduce them to the FSP and, if reasonable, obtain an endorsement from them. (If an endorsement is obtained communicate with Chris about getting that posted on our website.)

Essays

• Write an essay related to your community which can conclude in a demonstration of how FSP can be a solution. Essays can be posted on our website, submitted to various e-zines or magazines, etc.

Other

• Create a website related to your community.

• Carry FSP web cards, trifolds, etc. with you to hand to interested folk.

• Join/volunteer for organizations with similar missions. For instance, Evan Nappen, our guns rights liaison, volunteers for and is on the Board of the NRA.

Conferences/Presentations

• Create a list of conferences and/or groups to which presentations could be made.

• Create template materials that could be used at conferences and/or presentations (In particular make a community tri-fold. Samples for gun rights and homeschooling/education attached.)

• Create a community DVD that can be played at conferences, mailed to key people, etc.

• Network with local groups, speakers group, and other volunteers to attend these conferences and presentations.

Approach

I look for lead ins and don't offer information completely unsolicited. I don't want to be considered a spammer. I want to target folks who are already open to the idea of smaller government and more liberty.

Training

Below are some selected resources that you may find useful in learning to become an effective FSP activist.

If you have new ideas for training, contact the Volunteer Coordinator: volunteer@FreeStateProject.org

1. New Hampshire: 101 Reasons why you should move to NH

2. FSP Speaking

   • Guidelines for FSP Speakers (PDF)

   • List of speakers

   • Sample speeches:

     • PowerPoint presentation about FSP: Part 1 • Part 2

     • Speech at the state-announcement press conference "New Hampshire - the Luckiest State" by Tim Condon (10/1/03)

     • Presentation of the FSP by Monica Granger (9/03)

     • Speech at the LPCT convention by Amanda Phillips • Video of speech (7/12/03)

     • Speech at Lancaster, NH FSP Gathering "New Hampshire for Porcupines?" by Tim Condon (6/22/03)

     • Speech to the Grand Western Conference by Jason Sorens (5/25/03)

     • Speech to the Wyoming LP by Debra Ricketts (5/03)

     • Speech to the Clark County LP by Debra Ricketts (5/03)

   • Talking Points

3. Chat Workshops

4. Forming A Local Group: Making Something out of Nothing

5. Local Group Meetings: How to really pack them in

6. Communication Strategies for Building Consensus (10/20/04)

7. Community Liaison Outreach (11/17/04)

Communication Strategies For Building Consensus

From a chat workshop with Dr. Michael Edelstein • 10/20/04

1. Assume responsibility for your role in a dialogue. Do what you can to improve the process. (As good as it may feel for the moment, resentfully criticizing others for communication breakdowns doesn't help and often accelerates a downward spiral.)

2. Bring up and then address one issue at a time.

3. Remain positive and give the other person the benefit of the doubt. For example, if you suspect they may be using a sarcastic tone, assume the best.

4. Respond only to the constructive content of a message. Ignore, when possible, sarcasm, innuendo, name-calling, etc. (It's usually possible). This helps avoid escalation.

5. Avoid accusations, especially overgeneralized ones, such as: "You never...", You always...", "Why can't you...?", "I can't believe you said that," etc.

6. Say "Please," "Thank you," "I apologize," "Great idea!," etc., generously. These words are the lubricants of communication– especially "I apologize." ;-)

7. Before criticizing a position, consider feeding it back to the person advancing it, to confirm you've understood it.

8. Do not label the individual you're speaking with, e.g., "You're a troll," "You're intolerant," "...disrespectful," "...oblivious," "...obnoxious," etc. This rarely helps and often makes matters worse. Similarly, calling their arguments stupid, destructive, "I can't believe you said that," etc. is poor technique.

9. Keep in mind that "agreeing to disagree" is usually a fine option when stuck in a communication rut. There's often no right or wrong in our disagreements. Differing opinions may rest on different styles, proclivities, or comfort levels.

10. If you wish someone to communicate more constructively, offer a specific suggestion and begin it with "I prefer..." For example, "I prefer you not call me intolerant. Rather, please cite specifically what I said that you disagree with."

11. If you feel the process is breaking down, discuss this with the other person. Collaboratively work to improve it by focusing on future behavioral change, rather than by assigning blame for past communication difficulties.

12. State negative feelings in a positive way by stating the other's best self, e.g., "I know you're a tolerant person," or "You often have excellent ideas." Then let them know you feel they're not living up to their usual high standard.

13. If you're communicating by computer, consider moving to the telephone should communication get stalled.

14. Give positive feedback, praise, appreciation, "atta boys" wherever possible.

15. Preface constructive criticism with positive feedback.

16. If disengaging is a viable option with someone who seems generally angry and negativistic, politely end the dialogue. Alternatively, consider suggesting ending it for continuation at a future date, when one (or both of you) will have had a chance to collect your thoughts and calm down.

17. Keep in mind that everyone is a free agent with free will, consequently you can't force anyone to understand or agree with you, no matter how self-evident your view seems to you.

18. Remind others–and yourself–of our common goal: to build a free society. Consequently, collaboration, rather than one-upmanship, is essential.

Back to Training

Free State Project – Talking Points

by Amanda Phillips • 6/7/04

I thought that some of you might find this helpful... these are the talking points that I give to media folks before we do an interview. Most interviews don't cover everything, but this helps give the host some ideas on what they might be most interested in talking about. (I'm constantly updating & revising these, so make sure you do the same if you rip these off & use them for yourself). Also, feel free to e-mail me any time if you'd like the latest version of the talking points.

1. Overview of the FSP
   • Plan to move 20,000 freedom activists to a small state where we can make a difference
   • when we reach 20,000 committed participants, then we start to move
   • demographics (mostly young, upwardly mobile, professional, educated)
   • are we associated with any political parties?
   • are we moving to specific areas within NH?
   • why the porcupine as the mascot?

2. (small-l) libertarianism
   • believe in personal & economic freedom
   • what kinds of personal freedoms? Why?
   • what kinds of economic freedoms? Why?
   • what would an ideal libertarian society look like?
   • won't there be chaos?

3. History of the FSP
   • how did it get started?
   • Jason's idea as a Yale grad student
   • the research -- other migratory movements
   • we created the Statement of Intent & the Participation Guidelines... only after we reach 20,000 commitments do we start to move
   • we researched 10 small population states and decided on NH as the best choice
   • high profile friends & endorsements (Governor Benson, Walter Williams, LP presidential candidates)

4. Why NH?
   • extensive research on the states, membership voted on NH
   • NH has many political, cultural, economic advantages
   • small population + 400-seat legislature
   • a libertarian culture ("Live Free or Die")
   • near a major economic center
   • strong projected job growth
   • Governor signed on as a Friend
   • legislators make $100/year
   • constitution is only one in the world that protects the citizens' right to revolution

5. Status of the FSP today
   • 5,800 participants
   • about 300 in NH today
   • expect many more to move this summer
   • Randall Wolfe's Walk to NH
   • Free Staters appointed to Governor's Task Force for Government Efficiency
   • 2 Free Staters in the NH State House
   • HOW TO JOIN!

Volunteer Center

The January 2006 Free State Project Recruitment Challenge

The members of the Tennessee FSP local group are committed to the future success of the FSP. We have worked hard in 2005 to recruit new members to the FSP. Participants and Friends of the FSP posted recruitment flyers on college campuses from Chattanooga to Memphis. We appeared on two talk radio shows and set-up a table at the 2005 Gandhian Conference on Nonviolence. We also gave speeches at a couple Libertarian Party county meetings and set up a table at the state Libertarian Party convention.

However, we could have done much more, and much more is exactly what we plan to do in 2006. The TN FSP will start off the year with a recruitment challenge for our comrades:

For every member that joins the FSP in January 2006, the TN FSP will donate ten dollars to the FSP.

This is the perfect opportunity for fence sitters to hop off the fence and into the Free State. Need an excuse to have a local group meeting? Use this drive as the excuse. Need that extra incentive to post recruitment flyers around your town? Use this drive as the excuse. Over the last few months, the FSP has gained around fifty new members per month. Fifty times ten dollars is five hundred dollars. We're prepared to contribute that and more—make us give more! More money for the FSP means more money for recruitment. More money spent on recruitment means even more new participants.

Excited about recruiting new members in January 2006? Excellent. For useful resources, see the following parts of the FSP website:

• FSP Volunteer Center
• Downloads to spread around
• Community Liaisons
• Local Groups

Join the FSP