While events can help build a presence on campus, expand our movement & make our collective voice heard, they cannot be regarded as the be-all-and-end-all. Events can take a large amount of resources and should therefore be part of a larger strategy for your campus. When you plan an event, consider what purpose(s) it serves to further your ongoing efforts. Each event you organize should always achieve one (or hopefully more) of the general goals below.
Use this as a tool when your team starts kicking around program ideas – ask yourself and each other what you hope to accomplish by holding each particular event.
CAARR
CREATE SPACE FOR DEBATE
Part of ZFA’s mission on campuses is to open up space for a broad discussion regarding Jewish national identity, indigenous rights & fresh approaches to achieving peace between Israel and her neighbors. Educational events can be a good place to start when your campus is not ready to engage in advocacy & action that explicitly promotes Jewish national liberation & resistance to foreign imperialism in the Middle East.
ADVANCE YOUR MESSAGE
Events are an opportunity to spread our message of Jewish liberation – before, during and after the program itself. Be sure that all events focus on the Middle Eastern identity of the Jewish people, Zionism as our national liberation movement, the historic rights of our people to freedom in our country and the unrelenting attempts by the international community to infringe on our legitimate rights. When selecting a speaker or film, be sure that he/she/it can effectively convey the historic justice of Jewish national rights, threats of Western imperialism in the Middle East and/or the need to explore fresh avenues towards peace. Media coverage in the campus or community newspaper, website, radio and/or television station can spread our voices further and get the community engaged in meaningful conversation.
ADVOCACY & ACTION
Whether organizing an event on your local campus or participating in a larger ZFA effort, programs can help build vision, strategy and/or momentum for an action campaign. When people feel connected and inspired, they are more likely to commit to taking action. An event can be a time to brainstorm ideas for new campaigns or get people excited and involved in a current one. Events may also be part and parcel of a larger action campaign.
RELATIONSHIPS
In the process of planning and holding an event, you can build relationships with fellow students, campus organizations, professors and administrators. Think about which specific student leaders, potential leaders and campus organizations you want to build connections with. Plan to follow up after the event to sustain an ongoing relationship. Remember a small commitment, like coming to your event, can lead to an even bigger commitment in the future.
RESOURCES
An event can be a focal point for attracting resources to your group and our cause. You may choose to hold a fundraiser or sell tickets for a performance (or big-name speaking event). Also, planning a program can be a great opportunity to discover what hidden resources exist on your campus (e.g. academic departments, student resource centers, media, grants, special discounts and professors who could be speakers, advisors or supporters).