Is there room on Mumsnet for an Activism/Campaign Section?

[ekra]

Or any desire for one?

I hestiate to post this as I realise I am likely to get conflicting responses and I don't like conflict! Or is it that I don't like people disagreeing with me

But anyway.... here's why I propose such a section.

Often, a debate will take place on the board and somewhere amongst that debate, a knowledgable poster will propose a strategy that people could use to make a difference. I would find it helpful if these same knowledgable people could start a well-titled post in an Activism/Campaign section, for easy reference purposes and for greater exposure to people who might not have read the proposal lost in the middle of a debate.

Where it is being proposed that people write letters or emails to a company/MP/organisation, a sample letter could be included for those who aren't so skilled at writing their own.

Some of the issues I can recall off the top of my head that could appear in such a section are:

The very recent proposal to buy Fair Trade chocolate

Letters to companies who sell childrens PlayBoy stationery

How to request that your local retailer 't puts NUTS magazine on the top shelf

The Breastfeeding activism proposals.

Petitions, like the one woman-one midwife petition - or any petition

How to campaign for something local i.e. if someone has a problem with anti-social neighbours

How to contact your MP

The Mile for Maud details

Letters to relevant people (can't remember who) to change the lenient sentences of convicted child sex offenders (remember the case of the young baby being raped)

Environmental campaigns - ditch the plastic bags

Those are just some of the examples I can think of.

I do see potential problems with such a section. People could end up debating all over the thread...but if the campaign proposal is given in the OP, people needn't read any further than the original post.

People might start using the section for trivial campaigns and asking for sponsorship money for their mates baked bean bath challenge.

[beansprout]

I think this is good idea, then people who are interested in doing something will know where to look. The only concern is that people will need to understand that MNers are not obliged to campaign on each other's issues.

[ekra]

Yes, that's a good point.

It would need to be seen as not endorsed by Mumsnet too, I think.

[Cazee]

Sounds a super idea

[JustineMumsnet]

We are due to discuss new topics shortly - will add this to the list - txs for the suggestion.

[ekra]

Oops - I'd forgotten about that specific category. So the Activism/Campaign category could be a section to promote action and the Charity section would remain the section concerned with raising money or awareness.

[Spidermama]

I think it's a great idea. Maybe it will capitalise on the burgeoning numbers although I have to say I have found MNers to be largely apathetic on the whole.