organizing students and young people around transit
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Organizing Students and Young People around Transit. Danny Katz – Director of CoPIRG , former Field Director for CALPIRG’s Prop 1A High Speed Rail Campaign. CoPIRG – Colorado Public Interest Research Group . Statewide, non-partisan public interest advocacy group - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Organizing Students and Young People
around TransitDanny Katz – Director of CoPIRG, former Field Director for CALPIRG’s Prop 1A High Speed Rail
Campaign
Statewide, non-partisan public interest advocacy group
Started by college students in 1974 – still have vibrant college student organizing program
Across country – 26 State PIRG’s make up a Federation or USPIRG
Forefront of many local transportation ballot initiatives and statewide rail work
CoPIRG – Colorado Public Interest Research Group
Why organize students?What resources can they bring?
Best ways to mobilize themChallenges
Agenda
Young people leading the trend away from driving according to CoPIRG report – Transportation and the New Generation◦ Between 2000-2010 we’ve seen VMT peak in
America and begin to decline. In last five years, average American drove 6% fewer miles than in 2004
◦ In 2009, young people (16-34) drove 20% fewer miles than 2001.
◦ Between 2001-2009, young people rode public transit 40% more, travelled via bike 24% more and walked 16% more to destination.
Why Organize Students?
Gas prices and cost ◦ Though less than you think
Changes in driving laws Technology
◦ Social networking replaces car trip◦ Transit aps on smart phones make accessing
transit easier◦ Rise of car share/bike share programs◦ Rather be on computer/phone than driving
Transportation for a New Generation – Why?
According to research firm Gartner, 46% of drivers between 18-24 would choose internet access over owning a car
In a survey by MTV of 3,000 “millennials” – born 1981-2000, about preferred brands, no carmaker made it into the top 10. Replaced by Google and Nike.
Beyond our report
Two Basic Groupings◦ College Students◦ Non-College Students
College students tend to be a lot easier to organize and bring more resources so CoPIRG has mainly focused efforts on organizing them.
Organizing Young People
Volunteer pool/People power Time/Energy - (despite misconception) Idealism/Forefront of social change Money – 20,000 small donors adds up Access to university resources – faculty
expertise, rooms, technology (video cameras and editing rooms), free printing
Centralized voting bloc – steady increase in youth vote since 2000 – but they need a reason
College Student Resources
Youth are hip and cool and attract VIPs Social media leaders (don’t overrate this). College students often have free/discounted
bus passes and use transit so have stories/good spokespeople
College students come from everywhere◦ Many commute to school or commute home so
have friends/family in other places of the city/state/country
College Student Resources (contd)
Peer to peer Be visionary
◦ Don’t underestimate the power of a map Cast a wide net
◦ Go to campus – table, poster, use social media, present in classes
◦ Don’t forget community colleges Provide real leadership opportunities Don’t forget the social in “social change”
◦ Work through existing friend networks first◦ 9pm-11pm is the new 9to5◦ Tactics can be fun with a little creativity
Mobilizing Young People
November of 2008 vote $9 billion bond to pay for start of $45 billion
project to connect California with high speed rail
30+ years to build Grasstops support but no campaign money
– “distractions” = Obama/McCain, Prop 8 gay rights initiative
No paid media Economy begins to tank
Case Study CALPIRG – Prop 1A – California High Speed Rail - 2008
Campaign’s Best Tool
50 students travelled the state by car and bike stopping at the proposed stations along the way
Raised awareness for HSR – message = I’d Rather Be Riding High Speed Rail
Press events at each stop = 11 in total generating 43 stories
VIPs came and spoke at events – Congressmembers, mayors, legislators, Governor’s staff
Totally fun – Giant train costume, camping
Alternative Spring Break Tour
Day 1
Day 2-3
Day 3-4
October 28th – Social Network Day of Action Play off Six Degrees of Separation and Kevin
Bacon game◦ If we can get to Kevin Bacon, then we’ll wind up
educating millions of people on the way there so forward this until Kevin Bacon gets it
Use all forms of social networking – spread the simple message to your friends and family.◦ Facebook◦ Email◦ Text/call◦ Events on campus
Tell Kevin Bacon to Vote Yes
500 College students on 15 campuses sent initial message via their networks
First Degree◦ 166,014 emailed◦ 47,384 contacted via Facebook◦ 5,871 text messages◦ 3,529 conversations at table or over phone
Failed to track Second, Third, Fourth degree BUT◦ Generated more media◦ Anecdotally know that lots of people outside the
network got the messages that had been forwarded.
Results from Kevin Bacon Action
Reward comes with risk◦ For every student who comes through, some will bag
Money has begun to outweigh grassroots – devalues students’ strength
Students on the move◦ Need to constantly register them to vote, replace with
new volunteers Social media is still unproven as vote tools Volunteer-driven can get “messy” Cost of higher education = students can’t vol. Campus red tape
Challenges