By Sophia Woods
#1 Look around and call people in your community you don’t know but you believe are similar to you in some way. This is the beginning; you are casting your net and you want to catch a lot of people. So, for example, try calling churches in your neighborhood you have had little contact with. You might try the Y and other associations that share something in common with you.
WHEN THEY ANSWER, WHAT DO YOU SAY? Tell the person who answers that you are calling because you want to increase peace in your community. Be simple and forthright about your desire for peace. Explain that you are calling to see if anyone there wants to work for peace too, that you are forming a grass roots group to organize a special event that will be done by as diverse a group as possible from your community and the surrounding areas. As you find out who is in leadership, ask to meet with them personally. If this is not possible, invite them to the opening meeting for everyone who wants to learn more and discuss possibilities. Identify your congregation when you give your name. Highlight the fact that ANYONE who wants to be a part of the project can help plan; ANYONE who wants to participate in the project can.
#2 Call people in your community you don’t know and who are dissimilar to you. If you are a wealthy church, call the local city housing projects association. If you are a poor church, call a wealthy congregation. Call the synagogue, try the Jewish Community Center, call the Masjid, or the Islamic Center, call the local Interfaith Organization. If you are mostly a white church, call a non-white church. Ask to speak to the person in charge. Ask if someone in the organization is known to be interested in peace or has done peace work. Explain your mission with a can-do enthusiasm.
Note: It takes courage to call total strangers. When I did it, I was surprised at how positive and quick people were to say that they were willing to meet with me and talk about possibilities. I found out that the desire for peace is strong and is shared by a great many people. When you present them with an opportunity to work personally for peace in their community you are going to get positive responses especially if you convey excitement over the phone as well as a deep interest in the other person. Come across with your belief that meeting face to face will be very rewarding. I found that people responded in kind to a “can do” spirit. And remember, whatever happens, you have already raised peoples’ consciousness of peace by your calling. Even if people come to one meeting, you have increased community interaction and that is an important step for peace.
#3 Call people you already know you would like to work with or have heard good things about and invite them.
