Action Tables
Action tables and displays are one of the best ways to involve members of the public and fellow students in human rights work. Here's some tips for increasing their effectiveness.
- Be attractive. Keep things uncluttered. Avoid too much paper. Focus attention on one or two key pieces of information.
- Use eye-catching colour schemes. Focus on strong visual images and a single, focused text message that says what your set-up is about.
- Attract people from a distance. Tack up a large banner or other backdrop with your slogan or Amnesty International's name and candle symbol.
- Be engaging. Stand alongside your action table, don't hide sitting behind it. Have a smile, invite questions.
- Create action displays that people can walk around and "get inside" of. Paste posters on upright sona tubes (molds for making concrete pillars), or create large free-standing, lightweight and collapsible display cubes from materials like corplast, available at art supply stores.
- Invite interaction. Always include an appeal that people can "sign" either in writing or with a personal picture. Better yet, set up a large wall or "carpet" banner that people can add their message to - as the messages increase, everyone will be able to experience the whole community speaking out.
- Invite questions and dialogue. Most people have heard about Amnesty International, but some people may be unclear about what Amnesty does. The best introduction to our work is to tell a story about a successful Amnesty appeal.
- Offer each person an opportunity to join Amnesty International or to request more information by mail.
- Make a lasting impression. Ask people for their names and contact information so that you can invite them to other Amnesty activities. Send everyone away with a reminder that they took action to protect human rights - an Amnesty bookmark, button, sticker or information pamphlet works well. Make sure each item includes information about how to contact Amnesty International.
Set up action tables in markets, parks and civic plazas. School hallways and cafeterias. Places of worship. Community festivals and fairs. Concerts and conferences. Theatres. Libraries. Bookstores.
Need resources? Check out the online Tool Shop for current action materials, posters, flyers, pamphlets, videos and banners.
>> Order a copy of "Get noticed: high impact publicity actions" from our online Tool Shop.