Are you hosting an event or running an activity for Amnesty International Australia? Check out this handy step-by-step guide! Not all of these steps will be relevant for every event or tactic, but they are for most so just focus on the ones that are useful to you.
Jump to:
BEFORE THE EVENT
Planning
- Do you know what you want to achieve, is it strategic and how does it connect to the campaigning outcome? Check our 2025 Vision, 2020-2023 Activism Strategy and Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Action Plan 2021.
- Who is your target audience? What activity is best suited to motivate them to take action?
- Check out the Events & tactics: Part 1 – Planning training module for an overview of tactics, tactics analysis tool, SWOT analysis tool, and activism plans.
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing:
- How are you prioritising diversity and inclusion? Are you centring the voices of the rights holders that you are campaigning alongside? It might be worth brushing up on our Inclusive Language and Events Guide, ‘How to be a Genuine Ally’ training module and read our Participation Protocol.
- Campaigning for human rights can be difficult. Burnout and vicarious trauma can happen and it’s important to keep a look out for the signs in yourself and your friends. You can check out our Sustainable Activism & Self Care guide and workshop here. Remember our free, external and confidential counselling service is available on 1300 361 008.
Coordination
- Do you have a task list of everything that needs to happen before, during and after the event? Who will be responsible for these tasks? Is your team ready to go?
- Have you reached out to others you’d like involved in the event / tactic? Invite other action groups to be involved!
- Do you have the location sorted for the event / tactic? Is it accessible?
- Welcome to / Acknowledgement of Country: Which do you need? Have you organised for this to happen?
- Check out the Events & tactics: Part 2 – Coordination training module for a location checklist, promotion/comms plan, running sheet, and more information about each step in the event organisation process.
Approval & support:
- Submit your event through the Host an Event Form. This form helps us keep an overview of all Amnesty events, funding/resource requests and ensures your event is covered by our Public Liability Insurance. It also ensures your event is added to the Upcoming Events Page on the Amnesty website (unless otherwise indicated).
- You can order physical Amnesty resources through the form. We have marquees, banners and T-shirts available as well as merchandise, like pens, badges, and stickers.
- Ethical Suppliers list: If you’re ordering materials yourself, make sure you check the company. Are they environmentally friendly? Are their products ethically sourced?
- Request a speaker from Amnesty through the Speaker Request Form.
- Skill up via our online training modules.
- Check the General Event Resources page for PDF petitions, QR codes and other event resources.
Promotion:
- Do you have a communications plan? Do you know what to tell people and when?
- Our incredible Activist Communications Team is here to support with event promotion, like inclusion in the People Powered bulletin, contacting local media, social media support and content creation. Fill out this brief or email them directly at activist.communications@amnesty.org.au
Photos:
- Request a photographer from Amnesty’s National Photography Network (NPN) through the Host an Event form. To request a photographer for a non-event related project, please fill out this brief.
- Have a look at the Photography Activist Resources page for more info.
Online events:
- Refresh your memory on the ins and outs of Zoom by reading the How-to-Zoom guide.
- Make sure your attendees have the link to access the online event. Check your internet speed, test your camera, microphone, lighting, and backdrop.
- Have one person available to help attendees who are experiencing technical issues or have questions during the event.
Risk assessment:
- Have you worked out what could go wrong? Do you have backup plans if that happens?
- To help you navigate these uncertain times, we’ve created this COVID-19 Directory for Activists which contains relevant policies, guides, FAQs, articles and actions.
DURING EVENT
Team briefing
- Do you have a running agenda? Does everyone know exactly what they are doing?
- Have you reserved enough time to get everything set up at the location including briefing volunteers?
Health & safety:
- Have you made the space feel safe, inclusive and accessible? Will people feel welcome? Review the Inclusive Events and Language guide again.
Debrief & pack up:
- Have you set aside time for a brief reflection afterwards? Did you achieve your goals?
AFTER THE EVENT
Follow up:
- Have you sent out comms to attendees to thank them for coming and let them know what’s next?
- Send your actions to the Supporter Care Team: scan and email them to supporter@amnesty.org.au OR post them to the Sydney action centre at Amnesty International, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007.
- Return any essential resources or unused materials to your local Action Centre.
- Approved invoices can be sent to activism@amnesty.org.au. Please ensure that invoices from external companies include your personal details and group name on them. If you need to be reimbursed for an expense, please send both the receipt(s) and a completed Payment Requisition form.
- Any funds collected at your event can be transferred to Amnesty’s bank account. Please contact the Supporter Care team for our details.
Evaluation:
- Have you done a thorough evaluation of the event? What worked? What didn’t? Have you sent this evaluation on to relevant staff and other activists to learn from?
- Please fill out the Event Evaluation Form to let us know how your event went—evaluations enable us to report on events, recognise your work and address any issues.
Celebrate:
- Have you taken the time to celebrate with everyone that supported the event / tactic?
- Share your wins and photos in the Amnesty International Australia: National Group for Activists on Facebook and in the #activist_updates channel on Slack!
