Field Guide for CATS and Task-Forces:

on March 29, 2025

Field Guide for CATS and Task-Forces:

1- Take the Leap! Start a Group!

“No one can do everything but everyone can do something.”
Find 1 person like you and start a group. Something is better than nothing. We dig through a mountain by persistently chipping away at the rock.
Choose a Name and mission statement.
Pick a routine and meet regularly in person if possible, to encourage, share, problem solve and motivate. Having a routine meeting also can help facilitate welcoming new participants.
Reach out and build your crew.

2- Main Issue to Rally behind

Choose a hot topic focus issue that people can rally behind.

Identify like-minded parents and community members.

This is your “Task-Force”. Start with one and move on from there.

3- Establish an organizational structure.

Leadership – meeting facilitator;

Membership – outreach, membership engagement; Communications – website, social media, public relations, op-ed and letter writing;

Research – FOIAs and data analysis;

Take meeting notes and share to group members

Communication. Internal and external. You will want a routine general public newsletter. You will want a separate smaller group of members only data list for sharing meeting notes or sensitive information.

4- Strategies for effective Task Forces

Messaging, Some find value in setting up a social media account for messaging purposes. Think strategically. What is your purpose? What platform best enables your purpose and then stick with the 1 or 2 that works best for your group.

Prep – come up with talking points and messaging strategies before interacting in a public arena or with the media. Help each other find the pitfalls to stay away from and how to most effectively communicate your topic.

Identify influencers. Can you identify key policymakers and which ones are your allies?

5- Investigate/Research is Key:

Choose a Current Issue of concern and dig in!

File FOIA requests.

Identify whether there are external actors that are promoting divisive topics.

Share your findings with likeminded groups!

6 – Educate

Educate the community through Posts, Letters to the Editor, press releases, or take out an ad. Make use of the Community boards in your area.

Create a one-page fact sheet explaining your issue. Use plain language, and make it simple to understand.

Set up accounts with free content platforms, such as Medium, Substack, and Patch, with your organizational name, so you can publish content regularly. Record your public activities here; events, op-eds, info sheets, etc.

In-person or On-line Info-sesions with key speakers invite the community and your members to be informed and equipped on an issue.

Set up a Town hall. Invite key players on both sides to discuss the issue at hand.

Meet with community groups. Raise the issue at events held by other organizations where there might be overlap, such as a PTA or Community meeting.

Get involved in your community. Be seen as a positive group that gives back.

Promote the idea that “a Healthy Society encourages Questions and Civil Debate of Ideas”

Create Videos and graphics to help message your key points.