Monday, July 20, 2015

I'm just saying -- canvassers

If you're going to canvass, you need an attitude check before you walk out your own door.
First, most people already have their minds made up on issues.  You're not going to change them by stopping at their door.
Second, if they're your neighbor, and you don't know what their opinions are, don't canvass them.  It's an insult to think you can ignore them for however much time and then force your opinions on them in 2 minutes or less.
Third, if they have food, walk away.  It could be the first time they've had a chance to sit down, and you will not score any points by intruding.
Fourth, know the area.  I actually had somebody canvassing about environmental issues in a town where pesticides are prohibited.  When you don't know things like this, you embarrass your organization for even sending you there.
Fifth, know current events.  I had a canvasser try to impress me by using the name of a legislator who had announced retirement plans a month earlier.  Ignorance is not impressive.
What's more, using a famous person's name is fraudulent misrepresentation unless that person has specifically publicly endorsed the organization.

If you're wondering how to put your message across without canvassing, the best thing I can suggest is making sure your website is mobile friendly.  Simple, clean, not too much verbage, not too many pictures.  Have a twitter feed; have an RSS feed; whatever. 

Canvassing insults the people you visit by assuming that if they were interested in your cause, they're too dumb to find your website.
Canvassing also insults people by assuming that they are too weak-willed to stick by their own opinions just because a stranger shows up for 2 minutes or less of lecturing.

I'm just saying....
© Patricia Jo Heil, 2013-2018 All Rights  Reserved

No comments:

Post a Comment