Thank you for volunteering your time to phone-bank and raise funds for RefuseFascism.org! Don’t be nervous about calling strangers. If they gave a phone number, they want to be contacted about this movement.
When you ask someone to donate, you are giving them a meaningful way to help stop a fascist America. By giving, a person concretely strengthens RefuseFascism.org’s ability to mobilize the one force that can drive out the Trump/Pence Regime: millions of people in sustained nonviolent protests. By giving, a person makes a commitment about what kind of person they want to be and what kind of world they want to live in – and joins a community fighting for the same.
When you get nervous, remember, aren’t you glad that someone at some point asked you to get involved?
Take time to read through and think about the whole script before you start calling. Use it as a guideline to keep things focused on and on track, but don’t feel straight-jacketed by it. We encourage you to to put things in your own words. If someone asks you something you don’t know how to answer, don’t worry. Let them know you are a volunteer and that you will share their question or idea with the organization, and then return to what you called to talk about by using the script. These are political conversations and when money is involved the questions only get sharper. If met with objections, we need to ask people how will their plan, what they are doing to STOP what the Trump AND Pence regime are bringing into being. Encourage people to walk through how will their plan STOP the further development of the fascist social base that is emboldened to achieve their objectives.
Throughout the whole call, utilize active listening and respond to their questions and ideas, provide more information about local plans. But remember – you have a limited amount of time to get to the “ASK” so you need to regain control of the conversation. One way to do that is to jump in and agree with them: “YES! You are so right, in fact that’s why we’re reaching out to you to make an end-of-year donation.”
Take notes about what people say. Write down things that come up often. Write down questions you have a hard time answering. Write down answers that you gave that you think others could learn from. Send these notes to: info@refusefascism.org. This way, we can learn from each other.
When people commit to donate or get involved, pin down exactly how they will do so. Follow up with the National Office to make sure their donation comes through, or else call them back in a couple days to remind them and help process their donation.
Finally, if you haven’t yet, you should also consider making a donation yourself. Together, let’s raise funds to reach the millions to stop a fascist America!
Your prep work:
1) Read the Refuse Fascism Fundraising Letter, the Refuse Fascism 2018 Call to Action, and Two Defining and One Take Home Point from 2018 Midterm Elections
2) Have them handy, along with the script as you make phone calls.
3) Have a way to take notes during your conversation that will help you recall the main points and any actions the person agreed to take and anything you said you’d do, e.g. send them a link to an article that addresses their questions, re-send snail mail, get a change of address to the national office.
Phone Banking Script (December 14-16):
Text message people before you call them, if you/they are comfortable with texting:
”Hi ______it’s ___, a volunteer with RefuseFascism.org. We’re organizing to drive out the Trump/Pence Regime. We are asking supporters to help raise $50k by Dec 31 to project the demand Trump/Pence Must Go nationwide. Can we talk this [afternoon] [evening]?”
Voicemail:
”Hi ______it’s ___, a volunteer with RefuseFascism.org. We’re organizing for sustained nonviolent protest in the streets to demand: In the Name of Humanity, The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go! We are calling this weekend to ask you to help in raising $50k by Dec 31 to wake and mobilize the people to drive out this fascist regime. To find out more and donate to support this work visit refusefascism.org I would love to talk with you about our plans and find out what you are thinking on how we can end this nightmare, please give me a call back at _________.
If they Answer (Hooray!!):
[[YOU]] Hi, may I please speak with _____? This is _____ and I’m a volunteer with Refuse Fascism. Do you remember supporting sustained protest demanding that the Trump/Pence regime must go?
If they don’t remember RF, explain:
[[YOU]] RefuseFascism.org is a movement of people coming from diverse perspectives, we are united in our shared recognition that the Trump/Pence regime poses a catastrophic danger to humanity and the planet. We are working to drive this regime from power. You previously made a donation in support of this work.
Then:
[[YOU]] Do you have time for a quick chat?
If NO:
[[YOU]] When would be a good time to call you back?
[Arrange a time that you are both available and make a note/set an alarm on your phone, etc. to call them back.]
If YES:
[[YOU]] First, we want to thank you for your previous involvement and support. It’s awesome to have you as part of this movement to drive out the Trump/Pence regime. Did you read the letter we mailed you? [Confirm mailing address if necessary.]
What did you think of our analysis that what we face is fascism and that what is needed is a mass movement from below to drive this regime from power?
Listen to their response. Many right now are thinking that the Mueller investigation and the midterms are going to redress the situation. This needs to be responded to in a way that helps refocus people on the qualitative threat of fascism we are facing, and use this to pivot to the following
Briefly describe the effort we’re inviting them to participate in:
[[YOU]]: I’m sure you too see how the Trump/Pence regime poses a shocking danger to lives here and around the world – and to the planet itself. If not driven from power the outrages we see will only worsen and can be made permanent. There is a way to drive this regime from power but not nearly enough people know about it and too many are relying on “normal channels” when these are anything BUT normal times!
Fascism can be voted in, but it cannot be voted out. A truly sustained, mass non-violent political protest could create a political crisis in which sections of those now in power, who are themselves under attack by this regime while also conciliating with it, could be compelled to act to remove this regime from power. We are talking about massive protests that don’t end after one day – but come back day after day after day, growing to millions raising the demand: THIS NIGHTMARE MUST END: THE TRUMP/PENCE REGIME MUST GO! This IS possible, but we need your support!
We are in the middle of a nationwide fundraising campaign to raise $50,000 to start 2019 off boldly waking and mobilizing the only force that end this nightmare–millions of people in sustained protests in the streets. We are calling to ask you to donate to support the fight to change the future for billions around the globe by driving out the fascist Trump/Pence regime.
[[YOU]] How much are you willing to commit to give today to help drive out the Trump/Pence regime?
Be silent and wait for them to respond before you speak again.
How to Instruct People to Process a Donation:
If they say YES they will donate:
Thank them! Let them know how they can pay:
- Online with credit/debit card at donate/refusefascism.org
- Venmo funds to @Refuse-Fascism
- Paypal funds to https://refusefascism.org/donate/
- Check/money order to Refuse Fascism Send to RefuseFascism.org,
305 W. Broadway #185, New York, NY 10013
Can be tax deductible if made to Alliance for Global Justice, “Refuse Fascism” in the memo line [very important!] Mail to the same address above.
If they say they will donate by check, ask them:
Can you let me know what the check number is and the amount so we can record it? That will go a long way to giving us an idea of what our budget will be in the crucial weeks ahead.
If donating online:
Can you let me know what amount that will be so we can record it? That will go a long way to giving us an idea of what our budget will be in the crucial weeks ahead.
If they say they just gave to RF:
Thank you! What compelled you to give? [Very important for us to learn from]
See if there are other ways for them to contribute, e.g.
Invite friends to donate (the most effective approach in fund raising is the personal one!)
Become a regular sustainer
Host a gathering at their home, congregation, book club, etc. to discuss Call to Action & strategy
At the end of the call, PLEASE ASK FOR REFERRALS!
[[YOU]] One last but very important thing – do you know anyone who would be interested in what we are doing here at Refuse Fascism? Friends or relations who want to join or support the resistance? Someone who has let you know how upset they are about this daily nightmare, who would benefit from becoming active in the struggle to drive this regime out?”
[[YOU]] Thank you for taking the time to talk, and to support this movement. We are stronger with you.
If NO make sure to ask WHY
Be prepared to respond to their objections, questions e.g:
If because of a political disagreement, listen closely and respond with the attitude of encouraging them to consider. Do this in a civil fashion while being consistent on the fact that this is frankly the ONLY way that the horrors of this fascist regime can be brought to a halt, horrors that you know this person also opposes deeply. That’s our starting point, while we urge them to look more deeply into the RF strategy and analysis [see F.A.Q.S at end of this script.]
“I give to Planned Parenthood, immigrant rights group, etc.”
Yes, this regime is going after life and death resources of so many people. But we’ll never be able to save them one by one. That’s why the movement to DRIVE them from power is critical and your financial support is so vital.”
“What do donations support?”
* projecting the demand #TrumpPenceMustGo across the country, on lawn signs in the suburbs, stickers plastered across the campuses, banners dropped on highways, in major newspapers, in social media feeds, and through creative non-violent civil disobedience.
* continuing to mobilize even more powerful rapid response teams taking action against the latest outrages, building strength for sustained mass non-violent resistance around the single unifying demand that this regime must go.
* sustaining the national office and nerve center for this movement, to organize and lead our chapters, to reach out to broader forces from all walks of life, and to publish and promote the diverse and incisive voices on our website who penetratingly analyze the danger we face and point to openings, and to ways we can act together to end this nightmare.
“I don’t have any money right now.”
No amount is too small, starting at $5. Then inviting your friends to join you in support RF. Can be very powerful. And if they absolutely can’t give now, there are MANY ways they can contribute: share emails, share posts on social media, come to our gatherings and let us know what skills they have to contribute, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (mentioned above):
If they say something like, “We just need to let the Mueller Investigation play out, Trump is on his way out…”
[[You]] On its own, the investigation will not redress the situation we face. Part of the character of fascism is that it can absorb many different obstacles and barrel ahead. They are ripping up norms and shredding the rule of law. That’s what they’ve been doing for the past two years. Trump’s clear he’s not willing to “go quietly into the night.” If faced with the prospect of losing power, it is likely he will double-down to consolidate fascism. This could include perhaps firing Mueller, escalating his attacks on his opponents & moving to repressing those in society who are resisting. Even if Trump were to be indicted and/or impeached this would not in itself lead to reversal of fascist program or the ousting of his regime filled with fascists.
Besides, look at the Democrats. Even with Trump implicated in felonies, the Democrats have made clear they are not moving for impeaching. They do not want to seize this and use it to remove Trump. As much as the Democrats have differences with Trump, they care more about maintaining order for their system than justice even if that means the order of fascism.
But this could change if there was was a mass movement from below waging non-violent, sustained political protest, growing to millions with one demand: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go! In the Name of Humanity, We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America! People demanding that this regime must go because it is fascist not just because of campaign finance violations. This could change the calculus and sections of those now in power, who are themselves under attack by this regime while also conciliating with it, could be compelled to act to remove this regime from power and impeachment could be the mechanism. Now is the time where determined action by millions demanding the removal of the fascist regime could interact with the conflicts amongst the powers that be to create a situation in which it’s possible to drive this regime out. Mobilizing the people to take this action is what your donation supports!
If they say something like, “things are better now that the democrats have the House…”
[[YOU]]: This is dangerous and wrong. The Democratic Party have promised to seek “bi-partisanship” – i.e., collaboration – with a regime that is bringing an American fascism into being. Bi-partisanship looks like Democrats meeting with the Trump/Pence regime about how many billions they are going to offer for a border wall as this fascist regime terrorizes immigrants and unleashes violence on asylum seekers.
Fascism can be voted in, but it cannot be voted out. It cannot be removed through politics-as-usual. As we make clear in our Call to Action: “The Democratic Party leadership will NOT lead us out of this. They are about maintaining order for their whole setup. For them, order is more important than justice – even if that means the order of fascism.” Instead we must take responsibility ourselves, acting in fierce and sustained opposition outside the confines of politics as usual.
If they say something along the lines of “protests haven’t worked”…
[[YOU]] We are not talking “protest as usual” where people go back to their normal life the next day even as as immigrant children are put in cages, the courts are remade, etc, etc. Picture tens of thousands in several major cities coming back day after day after day, growing to hundreds of thousands and eventually millions – and there are millions who hate this regime – raising the demand that the whole regime must go! This would inspire people all over the world and could create the kind of political crisis among those in the ruling structures of society that those who do not like what the Trump/Pence Regime is doing but who currently are under attack and going along could be compelled to remove the regime from power. [You could also tell them about the way this was done in South Korea, Armenia and elsewhere.]
If they say something like “But people will never do that in America”…
[[YOU]] Millions have already taken to the streets over and over – the problem is that they have not set their sights on driving out the regime and they have gone back to their lives after a day. This shows the potential, but it also shows there is work to do – which is exactly why we are calling YOU!
Most of the millions who will be part of driving out the regime will not be active in this movement at first. It is more likely to really take hold once we get a critical mass of tens of thousands. Then those tens of thousands – repeatedly taking to the streets and raising the single, unifying demand: This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go! – will inspire and challenge the millions who see them to have to decide what they will do. Can you help us reach and activate this critical mass by making a donation today?
If they say something like, “We survived the first two years. Only two more! We need to focus on 2020”
[[YOU]]: That’s not true! As we speak, the number of immigrant children held in concentration camps continues to climb, now at 14,000! Asylum seekers living in squalor in Tijuana are facing U.S. troops authorized to use lethal force. Jewish people have been massacred as white supremacy surges. The appointment of Kavanaugh created a fascist majority on the Supreme Court and Trump continues to appoint judges at every level. Many aren’t surviving and many more won’t if this continues. This regime has already done shocking damage here and around the world. They are hammering into place a fascist America. Fascism is a qualitative change in how society is governed. Once consolidated it eliminates traditional democratic and civil rights. This is why we aren’t waiting, but organizing people now to drive out this regime before it is too late. Can you donate today to support this?
If they say something like, “Then who or what would replace this regime?”
[[YOU]] No one looks back at Nazi Germany and thinks: “The people could have ousted Hitler, but then what would have come after?” While it is not possible to predict absolutely what will come after driving out the regime, it can be said with a high degree of certainty that allowing this regime to remain in power and to fully implement its program will mean catastrophe for humanity, potentially even the end of human civilization.
Who exactly would replace them? We can’t say. But, we can say that if their removal was compelled by millions in the street in fierce opposition to a fascist America and acting in the name of humanity, whoever came after would be confronted by this aroused and politically motivated, organized, and determined populace. This could compel a reversal of the direction in society – at least for a time.
Optional Explanation: The powerful protest movements of the 1960s and early 1970s created a political situation where, even before he resigned, Nixon was granting major concessions like withdrawing from Vietnam, enacting Affirmative Action, establishing the EPA, and more. He was compelled to do these things from the combination of mass demand from below and larger world events. Today, if faced with a massive demand from below, there are sections of those in power who could be compelled to act to remove the regime. Just like the concessions wrenched from Nixon, this wouldn’t be caused by a “change of heart” on the part of those in power, but because they would fear the upheaval and risks to their system if they do not grant this concession.