I've just recently attended my first Appleseed (surely not my last) and I feel a sincere desire to help the organization in any way I can. I hope to take the 7th step when I have enough experience to be useful, but I'm looking for ways to put my skills to use in other ways.
Because I'm new, I don't know if there have been any books written about Appleseed. I know that reading a book can never replace the actual experience of attending an Appleseed, but my thinking is that it might make the recruitment process easier for people that are on the fence, or who might live too far away to make the trip until they know more.
I am a technical writer by profession, and would like to offer my skills. If someone is already working on a book project to help spread the word about Appleseed, I'd like to offer my assistance. If no one is (or already has) taken on the project, I'm willing to take it on if folks think it would be useful.
So at this point, I would like to ask for your feedback on the following:
- Is there already something out there that would make this effort unnecessary?
- Do you think this would help gather interest and participation?
- Would you be willing to help?
Thanks,
Todd Phillips
PM sent.
Quote from: Wolfe on August 27, 2011, 04:24:09 AM
I've just recently attended my first Appleseed (surely not my last) and I feel a sincere desire to help the organization in any way I can. I hope to take the 7th step when I have enough experience to be useful, but I'm looking for ways to put my skills to use in other ways.
Todd,
Thanks for being willing to help with Appleseed. I attended my first AS to learn some marksmanship skills and a little Revolutionary War history and it blew me away. You don't have to wait to seventh step - you can do it now in a variety of different ways.
1. Word of mouth - tell friends and family what an awesome time you had at Appleseed. Share some of the things you learned. Some people are interested in the rifleman training, others would be interested to know more about the history. You know which aspect of Appleseed would be more interesting to each person you know.
Yesterday I got a haircut and I started talking about April 19, 1775 with the barber and other guys in the shop. I explained the colonists circle of fire that was applied to regulars as they were retreating back to Boston. Everyone in the shop didn't realize how organized the colonists were. In fact I told them they lined up in ranks until Lord Percy unloaded some cannon fire on them. All the guys in the shop, a couple of them strangers, heard about Appleseed yesterday morning.
2. Study more - read Fisher's book on the story of Paul Revere. You got a taste of the history at Appleseed. Reinforce it with a little more reading (this will also prepare you if you decide later to take on an orange hat as an IIT - instructor in training). I read Fisher's book and intend to reread it. My public school education didn't inform me that Paul Revere left Boston by boat after the lanterns had been placed in the steeple of the Old North Church. Lots of other facts were inaccurate or were left out of the history that I learned as I grew up.
3. Advertise locally - I purchased Appleseed business cards at the Appleseed store http://www.appleseedstore.flyingcart.com/?p=detail&pid=2&cat_id=0 (http://www.appleseedstore.flyingcart.com/?p=detail&pid=2&cat_id=0). I give them away to people I talk to seem to be interested in attending an Appleseed, but I also post them on the public bulletin board in the local post office.
Each of the upcoming events also have PDF versions of the fliers for the events. I am thinking about printing some of those off for the Appleseeds local to my area. I will ask the local grocery stores if I can post them on their public boards as well.
Also my local paper has an "upcoming events" page and will publish information about local events for free. I may pursue that angle as well.
4. Use social media - when I had an awesome weekend at Appleseed, everyone on my Facebook page heard about it. I also posted pictures. As I continue to practice my skills, I will post targets from time to time and many of my friends ask how come my groups are shrinking (they wouldn't know an NPOA if it bit them in the face). I tell them where I learned and invite them to come.
5. Invite elected officials - since elected officials can attend an Appleseed without charge (we have *nothing* to hide), I sent an e-mail to my Washington State representative and invited her to an upcoming Ladyseed. I told her another option would be to bring her whole family to an Appleseed. In this case, I emphasized the role Appleseed plays in encouraging civil responsibility and voter participation. Who knows - if she comes it would be a pleasure to meet my elected official and maybe help her or her husband with a ball and dummy drill.
Hopefully this has given you some ideas of ways you can seventh step - today! Thanks for posting, your enthusiasm is contagious. Look forward to seeing you again on the Appleseed trail. :)
- ShadowMan
Yup. Already on it, my friend. I ordered a stack of the business card-sized handouts from the store with the idea of casusally handing them out when I get people interested. Also planning to talk to the local ranges about leaving out flyers and posters. And "accidentally" leaving some redcoats or AQT targets when I finish shooting.
I'm going to get myself some more history books for reference, as you suggest, and get busy studying. When I show up in Castle Rock in September, I intend to be able to answer all of the questions about safety rules and steadiness factors. We'll see where that leads. :)
My good friend,
Have you heard about the Blue hat? Please say that you have. A blue hat is one who does all sorts of seventh stepping and sorts. There is no marksmanship requirement and you can still help in the bucket line Pm me with any questions as to how to get started,
Doug
You guys are GREAT!!!! O0 ^:)^ O0 ^:)^
Just finished chatting with Fred (btw Fred, I hope you and yours are safely riding out the storm this weekend), and I'm getting busy with my projects.
@Dougum, yes I'm familiar with blue hats. :) I'll worry about hat color later and expect that I will have many different colors over time. Depending, of course, on the value I can bring to the table. ;D
Thanks for the words of encouragement, everyone.