A.C. Gobin is a team leader volunteer with Greenpeace Canada for the Kleercut campaign. Though this is his first environmental campaign, he and his team are responsible for over 43 of the nearly 600 Forest Friendly businesses. How does anyone—especially with a team of 4 recruiters on the first day and 2 on the other two days— get so many businesses signed up? Below, A.C. discusses some of his recruiting tips.
When approaching businesses, A.C. suggests that Forest Friendly recruiters should greet businesses with a “big wave and wear a big smile.” Though this may not be possible to do in all places, A.C. notes that stopping “into one of the radio stations got them to announce that we were in the area and recruiting businesses,” and proved to be a good technique. He adds when talking about the campaign to businesses, “Speak slowly and calmly with an elevated tone.” A sample of the Forest Friendly speech A.C. and his team give follows:
A.C.: “Sir/Ma'am, how are you today?”
Business Owner (BO): “Fine how are you?”
A.C.: “I'm not doing so well maybe you can help me out?”
BO: “How can I help you?” [or: “I don't know if I can help you.”]
A.C.: “I’m here on behalf of Greenpeace in Toronto and I'm not looking for any donations. I actually need your help as a business owner. I need you to listen to some information about a company called Kimberly Clark that is clear cutting the Boreal . . .” [2 minute speech, giving them the full information and then politely ask if it sounds logical and sustainable for a company to do this.]
BO: “No it's not.”
A.C.: “Great all I'm looking for is a commitment from your business to save ancient forests. What this means is that you’ll sign the Forest Friendly 500 pledge . . .” [Run through what signing means]. “If you do this, you’ll make my day a whole lot better, as well as help ensure your offspring and future generations have many great days to come.”
To learn more about volunteering on the Kleercut Campaign in Canada or internationally, contact Jeca Glor-Bell, Boreal Network Organizer, office: 416.597.8408 ext 3017, cell: 416.822.1216, email:
jeca.glorbell@yto.greenpeace.org. To learn more about volunteering on the Kleercut campaign in the USA, contact Lindsey Allen, office: 415.255.9221 ext 307, cell: 415.710.5601, email: lindsey.allen@sfo.greenpeace.org.
For more information on volunteering with other Greenpeace campaigns, contact Greenpeace Canada at volunteers@greenpeace.ca or Greenpeace USA at volunteer@wdc.greenpeace.org.
