Five steps to organize a White Ribbon Committee

1. Talk to a few friends, schoolmates or workmates about the White Ribbon campaign. If they sound interested, have a small meeting with two or three men at your house, during a lunch break or after work.

2. At the small meeting, discuss the White Ribbon Campaign. Use the enclosed materials to get a better idea about what we're trying to accomplish. If there is still interest, call a second meeting. This could be a larger meeting, but if you prefer to keep it small, that's fine too. Decide who has responsibility for calling people, getting a meeting place, providing refreshments, etc.

3. Publicize the larger meeting through notices in local schools, or company newsletters. Place notices on bulletin boards and pass it by word of mouth. Do advance phoning to let men know about the meeting. Ask around and find out who might want to get involved. Do a last minute phoning the day before or the day of the meeting. You'd be surprised how important that extra nudge is.

4. The larger meeting: Start off with everyone introducing themselves. Decide what time you'll end and stick to your decision. One or two of the organizers should talk about the White Ribbon Campaign. Be concise, state our basic goals---to encourage men to speak out against violence against women---and state that we're a largely volunteer, grass-roots organization. Answer questions. Then open the floor for brainstorming about organizing for White Ribbon Days or other WRC activities. If there is enough interest, then:
   • Decide to set up a committee and to distribute white ribbons and educational materials during White Ribbon Days.
   • Ask for a volunteer or two to coordinate the next meeting. Decide when and where it will be.
   • Have other volunteers help publicize the meeting and contact other groups.
   • Distribute information for people to read for the next meeting.
   • Pass the hat to cover costs.
   • Contact us about getting a White Ribbon member to join your meeting in person or by speaker-phone.

5. Begin outreach work---that's what the rest of this kit is about. When you have meetings, keep them upbeat and to the point. Set concrete goals. Always decide who's going to take responsibility for what (and keep a list). Try to encourage two men to work together on any project. As soon as possible, get volunteers to coordinate ribbon ordering or ribbon production (see below).

   And, as we describe in greater detail below, start approaching local organizations for support. Set up contact with local women's groups. Start fundraising. Start your public education work by reproducing "What Every Man Can Do to Help End Men's Violence Against Women" and "Frequently Asked Questions About the WRC" and other WR materials.

   Keep the White Ribbon office informed. There are various forms attached (see support documents) but you don't have to rely on these. Write us! E-mail us! FAX us! Call us! We want to know how you're doing, we want to give you backup support, and we want to learn from what you're doing.

How to do outreach into your community.

The basic approach of the WRC is for men (like yourself) to act as catalysts to get other men involved in working against violence against women. Therefore, there is a two-fold purpose of community outreach: to reach as many men and boys as possible with our message, and to encourage as many groups and individuals as possible to get involved.

There are many ways to get our message out. You can arrange to have men speak in schools, unions, meetings, and places of worship; distribute ribbons and flyers wherever people gather---at sports events, transit stops, shopping malls, and through local stores and restaurants; put up banners or signs; arrange for public spaces to be decorated with white ribbons; organize fundraising events; and work with the local media. (In Sarnia, Ontario we had a float in the Santa Claus Parade!) There is no end to what you can do.

When we talk to men we try to be friendly and positive. We want to strongly challenge ideas and behavior that directly or indirectly promotes violence against women, but our goal isn't to "put down" others or engage in one-upmanship. (See the section below on answering difficult questions).

Perhaps the most important thing to do is reach out to existing organizations in your community. Individually, you might be able to speak to 100 men in a week. If a school board and teachers gets involved, for example, they can speak to thousands or even tens of thousands of men and boys in a week.

We'd like you to join others across the country and approach city councils, school boards, union locals, businesses, farmers and professional associations, service clubs, student councils, neighbourhood associations, and sports clubs to get involved. Depending on the type of groups, we're asking them:

• To help organize White Ribbon Days by ordering or making ribbons, ordering our poster and putting it up, distributing pamphlets, circulating notices to supervisors (or teachers or whomever), etc.
• To officially endorse White Ribbon Days and encourage men in the community to wear a white ribbon and sign the poster which states that "these men want to put an end to violence against women".
• To make a generous contribution to the local or national White Ribbon Campaign, and to contribute generously to local women's programs.
• To set up a White Ribbon committee to do ongoing work throughout the year, to organize seminars, speakers, and training sessions.

There are different ways to approach other groups. The best way is through personal contact. If you don't already have contact with a group, find out the name of the person and write him or her a letter (a sample letter is in the "Supporting Documents" section). Then, follow it with a call not more than a few days later. Say you'd like to get together to talk about possibilities for the campaign. It's best to have someone go to the meeting who has experience with that type of group.

At the meeting, explain what we are trying to accomplish, that we're a volunteer effort, and that other groups like them are involved in other cities and towns right across the country. Ask what sort of back-up support you might provide them. Follow up the meeting with a call or letter a few days later.

To help us help you, let us know what groups are supporting you. We'll put them on our mailing lists for specific initiatives. (Always include their FAX and phone numbers).

Another way to get to a lot of groups is to do broadcast FAXing or e-mailing---where you simultaneously send out an informational FAX or e-mail to a lot of local organizations or local supporters all at once.

Broadcasting is a very effective organizing tool for reaching large numbers of potential supporters and for maintaining contact. E-mail programs easily handle mass mailing and most FAX machines and computer fax-modems are equipped to do this. All you need to do is get a local FAX directory or local directories for government offices, companies and other organizations and program them in.

If you don't have a name, address it to the human resources or employment equity departments.

Internal organization---The way we work.

The White Ribbon Campaign is unlike many organizations in that how we reach our goal is almost as important as reaching our goal. We operate with a cooperative leadership, allowing as many individuals as possible to take initiatives while remaining responsible to the groups as a whole. We're not interested in building empires or staying in control in a way that excludes others.

We've always managed to avoid the back-biting and competition that happens in many organizations. There's more than enough for everyone to do---our philosophy is for everyone involved to discover what he wants to do and does best, and then get on with it. The following are a few ideas; not rules and regulations, just ideas:

• Building a cooperative and collective leadership
  Even though certain people have formal positions (members of the Board of Directors, Executive Director, etc.) wherever possible we make decisions together. Our meetings tend to work by consensus. It's a friendly way of doing business and encourages listening, rather than one-up-manship.

• Joint leadership
  We sometimes have two coordinators of a committee. This encourages discussion before actions are taken. The distribution of responsibility, and the training of less experienced people. No one becomes a mini-Caesar.

• Supporting leaders
  Many organizations simultaneously put leaders on a pedestal and go after them with knives. We try to avoid both. Volunteering to spend time forming a local group should neither earn you a Nobel Prize nor turn you into a lightning rod for everyone's discontent and anxieties about leaders.

• Encouraging initiative
  There's so much to do that everyone can find a place where he can take initiatives and play the type of role he wants. At the same time, as a cooperative group we have to decide together on priorities and action. We also must agree who is best suited to take on a particular task.

• Avoiding burnout
  As men, we're great at falling into the trap of workaholism. We want to work hard, but we also have to take the long view. Work hard, yes, but go for the long haul.

• Check-ins at meetings
  Some local groups like to start committee meetings with a brief check-in. Each man says how he's doing, what he's been up to, or something like that. This allows everyone to take a second and let out their breath before they jump into the business at hand.

• Social events
  Have a meal before a meeting, or have a coffee afterwards. Plan social events to bring in new men, their partners, friends, and kids.

Working with women's groups.

Who knows better about the problem of violence against women than women who have survived abuse, who work in shelters, rape crisis centres, or women's advocacy, education, and counselling programs?

We're proud to be an organization of men doing this work, but we want to work in harmony and close cooperation with women. We want to be accountable for our work. That's where liasing with women comes in.

This liaison can take different forms. In many communities we have worked closely with the YWCA in the period around White Ribbon Days and December 6. The Y, along with local women's groups, sponsors the rose button campaign in many different cities. We encourage you to call the YWCA.

We also encourage you to organize a meeting with other women from your community to discuss the issues of violence in your area and discuss plans for the WRC. It can be helpful to have meetings like this from time to time, as well as to maintain more informal processes of consultation and working together.

Meetings with women's groups are not to set policy, nor make decisions for the WRC, nor rubber-stamp our decisions. Rather, they are an opportunity to get together with a group of women to evaluate our progress, talk about our plans, and get feedback. We request their thoughtful input, critical evaluations, and new insights that will strengthen our work.

This process of consultation can be difficult. At times you might feel unjustly criticized, under attack, or whatever. Just remember that if a woman works with abused women, for example, she is seeing the worst every single day. As one woman told us at one meeting, "Let me have my own anger and feelings about this. Don't make excuses, just get on with your work." Our trust has to be earned. By listening to what women have to say and by carefully incorporating their advice and input, you will help create a stronger and more effective campaign.

What happens during White Ribbon Days?

White Ribbon activities happen at many times during the year. But White Ribbon Days---starting the last Friday in November---is our focus in most communities. We distribute white ribbons as a vehicle to get people talking and to create awareness. During the week you also can:

• Arrange to go into schools, workplaces, union meetings, places of worship, and service clubs to talk about the problem of violence against women and the White Ribbon Campaign. Bring ribbons and pamphlets with you. Encourage boys and men to organize their own activities for the week.

• Co-sponsor a public forum or a cultural event along with local women's groups. Get your city government and other local groups to endorse the meeting, to do publicity, and to have representatives present. (Many mayors and school boards have already been contacted by our national office).

• Have a walk-a-thon, ski-a-thon, or skate-a-thon to raise awareness and raise money. (Maybe a father-son or father-children walk). Have a fund-raising concert or dance with proceeds getting divided between the WRC and local shelters or women's programmes. (These things take good advance planning. If you haven't done it before, get the advice of those who know how to organize and publicize such an event).

• Arrange to speak to the local media, get on interview shows, write letters to or articles for community, school, company, and other papers.

• Hand out information brochures and white ribbons at shopping malls, schools, workplaces.

• Think of events for particular age groups. Have school boys draw a picture or write a few paragraphs about why men shouldn't be violent against women and display their work in a local library or city hall.

• Be creative. And always check with local women's groups or give us a call at the White Ribbon office or visit the web site (www.whiteribbon.com) to get a second opinion on your plans.

And please FAX us early in White Ribbon Days. (See support documents). This allows us to keep in touch with you and to report your stories and successes to the national media. You can FAX a report once in mid-week or, better, if there's a lot happening, FAX us a very short report every day or two or contact us by e-mail.

Following White Ribbon Days please call, FAX, write, or e-mail us a short report on your activities. Please send us any newspaper clippings (marked with the date and name of the paper). Send us names and addresses you collected in your area. Organize an evaluation meeting of your supporters or a social event to celebrate your hard work.

No events on December 6.

It is our policy not to organize specific White Ribbon events on the actual anniversary of the Montreal massacre---what is now the National Day of Remembrance and Action of Violence Against Women in Canada. We encourage men to wear a white ribbon and to join rallies and vigils. But we feel it should be a day for men to step back and listen to the voices of women. We make public statements or co-sponsor events only when approached by women's groups.

And let's respect the right of women to have women-only events, to create spaces where women can feel safe in each other's presence.

Ribbon production and distribution.

Ribbon Production.
We encourage you to have a lot of ribbons on hand so everyone you meet can take a few with him: for his outside coat and inside clothes, to put on an office or apartment door, or to give to someone else. Or distribute longer pieces to tie from an antenna or put around a tree. There are three options for obtaining ribbons:

1. Make your own:
   Buy straight pins and big spools of ribbon at a local fabric, sewing, or department store. (Better yet, get it donated). We use ribbon that is either 3/8" (9mm) or ½" (12mm) wide. You'll need about 4-6" (up to 15cm) per ribbon, depending on ribbon width. A 1000 foot roll will make 2000-3000 ribbons. Organize a bunch of sessions in the evening, weekend, or during lunch break and get a group of men to come. You cut the pieces, fold them once (as in our logo, like an upside-down V), and pin them. (One tip for fast cutting: Get a cardboard box. On the inside, insert an opened clothes-hanger through two sides. Put 2-5 spools of ribbon through the hanger. Prop the box so it doesn't move. One person can pull the ribbon out, overlapping the ribbon from all the rolls at once, while a second person cuts pieces. This way, the cutting goes very fast leaving time for the more laborious folding and pinning). This option is inexpensive and gets a lot of men involved. But start now---it will take longer than you expect.

2. Order ribbons from us:
   We are able to provide you with pinned ribbons during the Fall Campaign. They can cost as little as 6 ¢ each (depending on the quantity you order), which you'll more than recover from donations.

3. Last minute:
   Don't have time for ribbon cutting? Run out of ribbons? Then just get some spools of ribbon and boxes of straight pins, take them to your distribution places, and then cut off long sections for people to take away and make a bunch of their own.

Ribbon distribution.

The best way to distribute ribbons is to arrange with existing groups, organizations, and businesses to distribute ribbons themselves. (Remember, the whole idea is to get as many individual men and as many groups as involved as possible).

No group should be overlooked: think of seniors groups and school boards, hospitals and factories, trade union locals and professional associations, sports teams and service clubs, religious institutions, companies, farmers associations, and youth groups. Call them and ask if they'd like to get involved. Invite them to a meeting to talk about the WRC. If possible get them involved in making their own; if not, help them figure out how many ribbons they'll need and encourage them to order some from you. (And you can charge them as a way to raise money).

And don't forget to get out there and distribute them yourself. Make sure that all distributors have read the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "What Every Man Can Do To Help End Men's Violence Against Women" so they can talk about what they're doing.

On the first weekend of White Ribbon Days perhaps set up a table downtown or in a mall. During the week find key times of day when people are going to work and school, at lunch, after school and work. Go to shopping malls, schools, offices, bus-stops, train and public transit stations, movie lineups, hockey games.

Some groups make boxes to hang around your neck to put ribbons and a can or plastic container for donations.

Because many people won't know what this is about, if you're the outgoing type, it's good to have a bit of a running monologue. "Wear a white ribbon, help end violence against women"---or something like that.

While giving out ribbons, if someone is abusive (it happens rarely) just ignore them and get on with your work. We're not trying to out-tough other men with the ultimate put-down. (And see below, "Answering the Difficult Question.") We don't want any school or workplace to require men to wear a ribbon. This has to be 100% voluntary. There's a lot more you can do:

• Get permission to decorate some public buildings, lamp posts, trees with large white ribbons.

• Arrange for public vehicles, trucks from the phone and utility companies, police cars, to put ribbons on their antennas for the week.

The 24-hour blizzard.

Some areas have a 24 hour distribution blizzard at the beginning of the week. In the previous week they ask volunteers to come to a ribbon-distribution point, sign up for a particular area and time, pick up one page of instructions, and ribbons. Whenever possible work in pairs, it's more fun and good for morale. As you distribute ribbons, give out copies of our brochures and, for those who have a lot of concerns, a copy of "What Every Man Can Do...." This blizzard will create attention, get ribbons out, be a good way to talk to men, and be a good source of fundraising.

Donations for ribbons.

Most local groups don't insist on a donation but they certainly do encourage it. If someone asks you how much, you can say, "Some people give a dollar, some give ten. If you can afford a contribution that'd be great." We expect that most men will find a couple of dollars, but some won't be able to afford that. Young schoolboys should just be given one. Create a sign-up sheet or use the one provided at the back of this manual for people who want to be mailed more information. It should include a space for name, address, phone and FAX number, as well as an e-mail address. Please send the list to our national office. Money raised from ribbon distribution should be used to recover your costs with the rest going to a local women's group or some specific project.

Money matters and fundraising.

This important section covers fundraising, money management, and spending.

Where the WRC gets its funds.

We don't receive government funding. (We have had some placement workers on job creation programs and in the future might apply for government funding of specific educational projects, but we will not seek a penny of government funding for our basic operating costs).

Money comes from individual supporters as well as from trade unions, corporations, religious institutions, service clubs, and foundations. Local groups raise money. And we also do mailings which serve both to raise money and to get our message to men across the country.

Fundraising.

We believe in the importance of the White Ribbon Campaign. But good intentions are not enough. It takes money. This has to be a responsibility of supporters across the country. We encourage you:

• To make sure that all your local supporters (who can afford to) make regular contributions to the national White Ribbon Campaign. All cheques should be made out to the White Ribbon Campaign. All contributors will receive a tax receipt.

• At meetings and at information tables, get people's names, addresses, and phone and FAX numbers. (Please have them print). Send us these lists right away, and we'll make sure these people receive our educational newsletter and also an appeal for a contribution. Most people are happy to make a contribution when they know it's going for a good cause.

• Raise money for the local and national White Ribbon campaigns through special activities such as walk-a-thons, dances, arts and sports events, and picnics.

• Approach local businesses, union locals, service clubs, etc. with a request for a major contribution directly to the national campaign. Contributions of several hundred or even several thousand dollars are not unusual. The group will receive a tax receipt.

We also encourage you to give attention to raising funds for local projects.

During White Ribbon Days we encourage you to raise money for local rape crisis centres, women's shelters and transition houses, and other women's programmes. Meet with women in your community to decide where the money should go. Please let us know how much you raise.

During the year you can raise money for your own needs (for purchasing materials, renting a space for a public meeting, long-distance calls, bringing in an outside speaker, sending one of your members to a White Ribbon Board of Directors meeting, etc.)

Remember, though, tax receipts cannot be given for money you raise locally unless each cheque or credit card form comes directly to the Toronto office.

And think about non-monetary donations. Local newspapers will print ads for free, and radio and TV stations will run free public-service announcements. A local business might pay for flyers. If you're trying to raise money for local women's programmes you can find out what their needs are and get in-kind donations---maybe that computer they need or toys or whatever.

Try to keep your own expenses as modest as possible. If you're large enough that you need an office or work space, find a local group to donate space and find businesses or groups to give used furniture and basic office supplies. (That's what we've done in our central office).

Keeping Track of Funds.

In two words, you have to be extremely careful. If you're a sub-committee of an existing organization ---a school board, a business, a union, a church---then have them look after the money. If you're an ongoing effort, then you can take the following steps:

• Open up a bank account under the name of your city committee. There must be two signing officers---each cheque has to be signed by two men. The names of signing officers must be approved by a local group. Take this approval seriously, choosing men who have the trust of the group.

• You must have an account book (or computerized accounting) for the money you raise. Whenever you distribute ribbons or have an event, record exactly what you raise.

• And you must keep exact track of your expenses and make sure all expenses are authorized by the group.

Throughout the Year …

Of course the problem of violence doesn't end after December 6. Even though the fall is our peak organizing time leading up to White Ribbon Days, we encourage you to keep things alive throughout the year even if on a slightly calmer pace.

Continue to organize occasional public meetings. Arrange to go into schools and speak with students. Keep making contact with local groups---service clubs, unions and professional associations, businesses, places of worship, student councils, and boards of education. Work with them to plan ongoing activities and to plan for next year. START EARLY making ribbons for next year. Have some fund-raising, social, and educational activities. Sponsor a picnic and baseball game in the summer, or a walkathon. Write letters to the editor and respond to local problems concerning violence. Continue to let those creative juices flow.

Continue to have a dialogue with women and women's groups working on issues of violence. Some White Ribbon committees work with local women's groups to organize vigils, particularly in response to tragedies in a community. Some committees work with women's groups in supporting "Take back the Night" marches.

These are women-only marches which symbolize women's right to be on the streets of our towns and cities at night without men being present. They deserve our support. We shouldn't do anything on our own---after all these are women's events---but we can meet with women's groups to explore various possibilities. This might include organizing a forum for men or organizing childcare to allow women to join the march.

Answering the difficult or hostile question.

Even though we tend to get a great response from the public, there will always be difficult questions. Practice answering questions with each other at some meeting. Once you've found a comfortable way to answer a question, it will be easier when you're in public.

Answering the legitimate question.

There will be many legitimate and important concerns:

"What happens with the money you raise?", "Aren't you taking attention away from women's groups?"

"Are you male bashing?"

Always listen with attention and interest. If this person has a concern there are likely others out there with a similar concern. Remember that each time you hear a question like this and each time you answer, you will be learning something about the challenges we face. Much of our policy and ideas about the WRC evolved from answering the difficult questions.

If you encounter some anger and hostility from a woman, remember that many women have suffered abuse at the hands of men and haven't found a lot of reasons to trust men when it comes to violence. Remember that anger can be a healthy response to individual and social wrongs.

We urge you to acquaint yourself with the "Frequently Asked Questions About the White Ribbon Campaign" in this Organizers' Kit and with our main educational brochure "What Every Man Can Do To Help End Men's Violence Against Women." They will help you answer many concerns.

Remember that the purpose of any encounter ---whether the person is very sympathetic or a bit hostile---is not to "win" an argument. It is to listen to other people's concern, correct inaccurate ideas about the WRC, and to encourage men to get involved. Try to be friendly and positive and try not to get defensive.

Answering the hostile question.

There will be times when someone is going to be hostile, perhaps saying that we're male bashing or that the problem isn't as grave as we think. In most cases you'll come off better if you don't sink to his (or her) level. Stay cool. But be firm.

If someone says, "I'm sick of hearing about violence against women. Don't you care about violence against men?" you can say something simple like: "We're very concerned. But remember, almost all violence against men is committed by men." (There is comparatively little physical assault of men by women and studies show that in most cases a woman is responding to past or current abuse by that man).

Or perhaps someone will say, "Just because someone cracks a joke about women, doesn't mean he's a rapist." You can answer, "That's definitely true, but sexist jokes, pick-ups at work, and sexual harassment, all help create an atmosphere where women are degraded and where violence against women has been socially acceptable."

Acquaint yourself with a few statistics from our pamphlets or from the fact sheet with the supporting documents. These are all based on many studies. Be clear that the problem is extremely serious.

Remember that some (not all) men who accuse us of being anti-male might well be batterers or harassers themselves. Of course, never make accusations against someone, just keep that in mind in order to understand his hostility.

In many such encounters the real people you want to reach are those listening to the argument. Being calm and polite, yet firm, will usually help. If answering questions at a public meeting, avoid arguing back and forth with one person. End the exchange by saying, "Well, let's see if anyone else has a point to make or has a question" or "Thanks for your question, let's see what others have to say."

Relations with the media.

Most of this section applies to men working in cities. Relations with the media are a difficult issue for two reasons: learning how to work with the media can be tricky in itself; secondly, there is an issue about who can speak on behalf of the WRC and what they can say. Please contact the National Office before dealing with the media.

Some guidelines for handling media relations:

1. Your group should designate one or two men who are authorized to speak to the media on your behalf. These should be men who can speak clearly and explain the beliefs of the WRC. The position is not to create a media star---the job can rotate every year and you should avoid selecting anyone whose ego is going to get in the way of doing a good job. Men who have a history of violence should not be spokespeople for the group, unless they've gone public with their problem, have sought treatment, and have been working publicly against men's violence.

2. These men are only authorized to speak on behalf of the local or regional WRC committee. They are not authorized to contact the national media. When they are speaking to the media in their position as a spokesperson they must only express the adopted views of the White Ribbon Campaign. National media should be directed to the White Ribbon office in Toronto.

3. From one of the groups you work with (a company, trade union, local government) obtain a list of local media. If you live in a town or very small city, just drop down to the local paper and see who's there. If in doubt, call them and find out who would cover something like the WRC---and try to find someone who'll be sympathetic.

4. As soon as you can, get a public service announcement over local radio or TV or a small article in the paper. Announce a meeting and give a contact number. The purpose of this is to find others in your community who want to get involved.

5. From time-to-time contact sympathetic journalists to let them know what's happening. Tell them you've heard that in other cities, local papers or stations are going to do special reports at the beginning of White Ribbon Days. If a journalist writes a good story or does a good broadcast give them a call or write a note---it will be appreciated. In larger centres, consider having a press conference (see below).

6. Send us the names and FAX numbers of key media outlets and we'll put them onto our national White Ribbon contact list.

7. Write letters to the editor that politely, but firmly, object to articles, statements in the press, or editorials that are sexist or that blame the victims of violence; or, conversely, applaud them for their editorial stance.

In larger cities, you might have a press conference for the local media a day or two before the start of White Ribbon Days. Try to have one or two local notables or representatives of women's groups speaking with you to give the press conference more credibility and a higher profile. (Take the time to brief these men or women and ask them to read "Frequently asked Questions." We are not asking them to speak on behalf of the WRC, but we want to make sure they don't get sidetracked).

To organize this, contact the local media two or three days before with a "Press Advisory" announcing the press conference or event. Phone or FAX them again the day before or that morning to remind them. The best times for press conferences are between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. ---this gives them time to get things ready for the evening news or written up for tomorrow's paper.

Monday to Thursday are usually the best days. Have one person act as chair to introduce people on the panel, and to moderate. Start with brief statements by each person. Then open it up for questions for a half-hour or so.

Keep track of who comes---pass around a sign-up sheet so you can contact these people again.

How to answer media questions.

First of all, study "Frequently-asked questions about the WRC" and "What Every Man Can Do To Help End Men's Violence Against Women." Practise answering these questions with someone else. Do some mock interviews using a tape recorder to hear how you sound.

Where possible, give very short and concise answers---especially for radio and TV. Listen to the news and see how short are the quotes they use.

Be yourself. Personal examples are terrific. (But make sure that if you're talking about someone else, you have their permission). A statement like, "I'm involved in the White Ribbon Campaign because I've got a wife/daughters/sisters/friends [your choice] who face violence simply because they're women" or "I'm, involved because I came from a home where I saw my mother abused" or "I'm involved because of x who was raped and murdered in our community last year" are far more effective than a general statement such as "I'm involved because I think this is a terrible problem." Speak from the heart.

When you're speaking on behalf of the WRC, remember there is no such thing as a personal opinion. Anything you say might be taken as an opinion of the WRC.

If you can't keep your personal opinions on other issues to yourself, you shouldn't be a group spokesperson. If you are asked about something we don't have a position on (whether capital punishment, political parties, or the issue of abortion) simply say, "The White Ribbon Campaign does not have an opinion on that." Well, the reporter then says, what's your own opinion? You can say, "There are many different opinions about that in the Campaign and what I think doesn't really matter right now." Say no more; the interviewer will move on to the next question. If they ask again in a different way, be firm. You set the agenda, not them.

Remember that our job isn't to be critical of women's group. If you're asked about the work of local shelters, rape crisis centres, women's programs, you have two ways to answer:

1. "I think they're doing really good work, for example x, y and z. They deserve a lot more support. But let's talk about what men can do."

2. "From what little I know, they're doing really important work, but I honestly don't know enough about what they do to answer your question. But let's talk about what men can do."

Be positive and upbeat and only say what you want to say. If you're asked how many local members you have and you've just started, don't say "There are only four of us," Say, "Four of us are starting this up, but dozens of men (or whatever) will be involved during White Ribbon Days." Or talk about the local groups who are supporting you. Don't be secretive or evasive. Be as open as possible.

Don't get drawn into arguments. A reporter might use an argument to get you to say things you wouldn't particularly want to say. (On the other hand, an interviewer might also flatter you along to say more than you'd like).

But remember, sometimes reporters will play the devil's advocate to provoke good answers. S/he might act hostile just to see what you'll say. Stay cool. Stay friendly. Be firm. (Sample: A male reporter: "Aren't these women taking things too far?" You: "If you faced daily violence you wouldn't think so.")

Think before you say anything. There's no harm pausing to compose your thoughts. Only say what you want to say.

You don't have to answer a question you don't want to answer. Make sure you get in the points you want to make, whether you're being asked them or not.

Speak slowly to someone taking notes. If you can, speak in phrases or short sentences---it makes their job easier. For the radio and TV speak at your normal speed.

On TV and radio, you can be passionate, but don't start ranting and raving. Normally, this doesn't come off well in the electronic media. Stay calm.

Unless you have a prior relationship with a journalist or know him or her, there is no such thing as an off-the-record statement. Remember, it's their job to ferret out information.

Don't put down any individuals and don't put down women. And we don't dump on men although we are very critical of forms of behaviour that some men engage in.

Avoid sarcasm, irony, or jokes that could be misconstrued if taken out of context.

Good Luck!