I attended FARM’s conference in Los Angeles this last weekend, AR 2009. While I was there, I took notes on many of the presentations.

Here are my notes from the session on “Communications In Our Movement” or “Movement Networking.” Speakers: Karen Dawn, Alex Hershaft, and Peter Muller.

• Print media is disappearing and electronic media is taking over. Books are out, blogs are in. There is some sadness among the presenters about this perceived loss, but there’s no hesitation that as a movement we must embrace the new. Bring it on!
• Videos are powerful, persuasive, and popular. (I agree 100%. If I had to choose one method of advocacy I thought would do the most good right now, it would be short web videos.) YouTube is incredibly powerful.
• Email listervs are one method of communication within our movement, though be careful that what you say on a listserv is what you’d say in person to a stranger on the street or a law enforcement officer because it IS public.  They are a good way to share information, just don’t get too personal or off-topic. You can start your own listserv using Google, Yahoo, or from many other services.
• Be careful of web communication. Be careful about sharing  information that can get you locked up.

Because these are my notes, imbued with my perspective, they are not necessarily accurate representations of the speakers or the event. Take it all with a grain a salt.

807 views
Sections: Vegan Resources
Topics: ar 2009, AR conference, Vegan