CEDAW Pledge Action Sheet

Ok, I received this pledge card, so now what? Individuals and/or organizations are encouraged to take these simple steps...

OK, I RECEIVED THIS PLEDGE CARD, SO NOW WHAT?

Individuals and/or organizations are encouraged to take these simple steps:

Get it COPIED and DISTRIBUTED

- Distribute the pledge cards as widely as possible among your colleagues, networks, and friends (make copies if necessary or call the FAFIA office for more copies)
- explain to everyone the goals of this campaign activity (Refresher: to get as many pledges from candidates in your area as possible before election day so that we can achieve concrete changes for women in six areas (see the CEDAW election fact sheet, Ready or Not, for more info)
- share the resources from this "Pledge Action Kit" with anyone who wants to help with the Pledge and thinks they can get one signed by a candidate
- challenge everyone you know to get the pledge signed (as long as they stay in touch with you to let you know when they have succeeded)

Get it COVERED

- inform local reporters about the Pledge Campaign (see sample press release- attached)
- use tips from this "Pledge Action Kit" on how to get coverage
- create a buzz in your community
- show up at any campaign events where media might be present and draw attention to the pledge sheet
- continue to provide regular updates to local media and allies regarding your progress in obtaining candidate signatures

Get it SIGNED

- ask all local candidates to sign the pledge
- deliver a pledge sheet to every campaign office of every candidate in ridings in your area
- tell campaign office staff that you will return the next morning to pick up the signed pledge – show up daily with a fresh pledge sheet – or show up with a reporter!  [remember:  an unsigned pledge is AS newsworthy as a signed one]
- demonstrate persistence – show up at all public events and debates where the candidates are – make sport out of doggedly pursuing a candidate for her/his signature; it will help!
- do not take no for an answer!

I GOT A CANDIDATE TO SIGN THE PLEDGE, SO NOW WHAT?

CONGRATULATIONS!

- notify the FAFIA national office immediately (613-232-9505, x222 or info@fafia-afai.org)
- make a photocopy of the signed pledge and fax it to FAFIA
- publicly acknowledge the candidate for having signed [see sample press release and thank you letter]
- use the success as leverage to obtain the signatures of the signer's opponents
- go get another candidate signature!