Book: Local Action Chapter: Getting Started Section: Launching the group Metadata: Details Buy this book

Groups looking to conserve their local environment need to get out and do some practical work. Potential new members are therefore going to ask questions like: "What are we going to do?", "Will we be allowed to do this?", and "How will we know what to do?".

If you can't answer these questions, then clearly people will not rush to join. So, before launching your group, you should:

Name your group

Your name gives you an identity. It may be that your first meeting simply concerns "a conservation group for Yourtown". Your founding members may come up with something more exciting, but this may not give a clear description of what you do.

Many groups' names reflect their activities and areas. Down to Earth are just that in County Down, Skegness Environmental Action Group are SEAGULL. Many groups work in just one area, such as Friends of Chopwell Wood or Minders of the Meadowland . A clever name can certainly get you recognised, however, if you choose a really obscure name, you may find that a lot of people don't understand what you do.

Identify the site

If you are forming a group it's quite likely that you have been inspired by a local site. You'll need to know who owns the land and get their agreement before you start looking after it. Alternatively, you may feel your bit of town, or your village, has a number of sites that need care; if this is the case the group members might want to make a list and come up with priorities for action at the launch.

If your launch meeting is going to be held indoors it is a good idea to plan a visit to look at the site or sites as soon as possible after the meeting. This can make discussions about what to do next much easier.

Look for other people

Where will the volunteers come from? Having a target area will make it a lot easier to recruit people. If you are planning to adopt a local area, do some of your publicity on the site itself as well as in the local area, as some people who use the site will want to join you even if they live 2 or 3 miles away.  

Where will the volunteers come from?

Launch your group

For most groups some formal launch is desirable. A launch meeting serves many purposes:

• It lets people know that your group now exists.
• The press may cover the event and this may lead to more volunteers coming forward.
• Potential new volunteers can come along and find out more before committing themselves.
• If volunteers will have a chance to get involved in the planning and decision making from the beginning they are more likely to help you run the group.
• Members get a chance to meet each other right from the start.
• It may be a good chance to highlight what work is being done already by other groups and what still needs to be done.

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