Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

Before taking immediate steps, please, answer the following questions * :
1. Do you or does your group want to create a conflict?
2. What can you do in order to present your case as a struggle between good (your
group) and evil (your opponents)?
3. What can you do in order to confuse/ frighten your opponent and what are
pluses and minuses of using certain methods — actions aimed at cooperation,
negotiations compared to other direct actions?
4. If there is the least chance of achieving the result through negotiations, do not go
for direct actions.
5. Take radical steps, only in case if all other methods are exhausted and brought
about a negative outcome.
Direct actions should be an essential part of the general strategy of the organization,
they should pursue the goal of demonstrating large number of supporters, and they
have to be carefully planned, prepared and well-organized. They should be conducted
in exceptional cases only. Shortcomings of these methods include the need for
voluminous preparatory work, large resources, complexity of implementation, also in
unpredictability. These activities may appear to be inefficient (they may attract little
attention or produce an inverse response). The amount of labour input needed for one
such activity may be sufficient to organize and conduct several other, more efficient
ones.
If, nevertheless, the organization decided to go for direct actions, it has to consider the
following points:
• Activities must have a goal.
• Number of participants should be significant and impressive, otherwise, there is no
sense in conducting the action.
• All organizational issues should be carefully considered including: date, venue,
time, approval coordination will the appropriate municipal departments, official
approval of the authorities (Law on conducting mass marches, meetings and
demonstrations), loudspeakers, podiums, advertising materials (posters, banners,
fliers etc.).
• There is a need to take care of who and how will be covering the event in the media.
Media are usually difficult to manipulate. A negative coverage of the event may
cause more harm than profit and reflect upon the reputation of the organization,
as well as its leaders and members.
• Speakers and “leaders“ should be selected carefully. The event should be attended
by the leaders of all groups, representatives of the authorities, state agencies
etc.
• Security/safety measures need to be considered during both the preparation phase
and the event itself (security guards, vehicles etc.).
Direct actions envisage public exchanges, appeals with a clear understanding of the
consequences. Direct actions are characterized by a high level of risk. One should resort
to direct actions only in case all other means have not helped.
Working with media
1. Interviews, comments for the news agencies.
2. Participation in special programs, talk- shows.
3. Participation in preparing programs, search for experts, participants,
participating in writing script for the program, assistance in investigative
journalism projects.
4. Publishing one's own materials in the print media: analytical materials, assays ,
research findings.
* Hereinafter: Защита общественных
интересов. Организация и
проведение кампаний. Методическое
пособие для некоммерческих
организаций. Автономная некоммерческая
организация “Северо-
Кавказский Ресурсный Центр”,
2001 г.
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