Organizing Students and Young People

around TransitDanny Katz – Director of CoPIRG, former Field Director for CALPIRG’s Prop 1A High Speed Rail

Campaign

Statewide, non-partisan public interest advocacy group

Started by college students in 1974 – still have vibrant college student organizing program

Across country – 26 State PIRG’s make up a Federation or USPIRG

Forefront of many local transportation ballot initiatives and statewide rail work

CoPIRG – Colorado Public Interest Research Group

Why organize students?What resources can they bring?

Best ways to mobilize themChallenges

Agenda

Young people leading the trend away from driving according to CoPIRG report – Transportation and the New Generation◦ Between 2000-2010 we’ve seen VMT peak in

America and begin to decline. In last five years, average American drove 6% fewer miles than in 2004

◦ In 2009, young people (16-34) drove 20% fewer miles than 2001.

◦ Between 2001-2009, young people rode public transit 40% more, travelled via bike 24% more and walked 16% more to destination.

Why Organize Students?

Gas prices and cost ◦ Though less than you think

Changes in driving laws Technology

◦ Social networking replaces car trip◦ Transit aps on smart phones make accessing

transit easier◦ Rise of car share/bike share programs◦ Rather be on computer/phone than driving

Transportation for a New Generation – Why?

According to research firm Gartner, 46% of drivers between 18-24 would choose internet access over owning a car

In a survey by MTV of 3,000 “millennials” – born 1981-2000, about preferred brands, no carmaker made it into the top 10. Replaced by Google and Nike.

Beyond our report

Two Basic Groupings◦ College Students◦ Non-College Students

College students tend to be a lot easier to organize and bring more resources so CoPIRG has mainly focused efforts on organizing them.

Organizing Young People

Volunteer pool/People power Time/Energy - (despite misconception) Idealism/Forefront of social change Money – 20,000 small donors adds up Access to university resources – faculty

expertise, rooms, technology (video cameras and editing rooms), free printing

Centralized voting bloc – steady increase in youth vote since 2000 – but they need a reason

College Student Resources

Youth are hip and cool and attract VIPs Social media leaders (don’t overrate this). College students often have free/discounted

bus passes and use transit so have stories/good spokespeople

College students come from everywhere◦ Many commute to school or commute home so

have friends/family in other places of the city/state/country

College Student Resources (contd)

Peer to peer Be visionary

◦ Don’t underestimate the power of a map Cast a wide net

◦ Go to campus – table, poster, use social media, present in classes

◦ Don’t forget community colleges Provide real leadership opportunities Don’t forget the social in “social change”

◦ Work through existing friend networks first◦ 9pm-11pm is the new 9to5◦ Tactics can be fun with a little creativity

Mobilizing Young People

November of 2008 vote $9 billion bond to pay for start of $45 billion

project to connect California with high speed rail

30+ years to build Grasstops support but no campaign money

– “distractions” = Obama/McCain, Prop 8 gay rights initiative

No paid media Economy begins to tank

Case Study CALPIRG – Prop 1A – California High Speed Rail - 2008

Campaign’s Best Tool

50 students travelled the state by car and bike stopping at the proposed stations along the way

Raised awareness for HSR – message = I’d Rather Be Riding High Speed Rail

Press events at each stop = 11 in total generating 43 stories

VIPs came and spoke at events – Congressmembers, mayors, legislators, Governor’s staff

Totally fun – Giant train costume, camping

Alternative Spring Break Tour

Day 1

Day 2-3

Day 3-4

October 28th – Social Network Day of Action Play off Six Degrees of Separation and Kevin

Bacon game◦ If we can get to Kevin Bacon, then we’ll wind up

educating millions of people on the way there so forward this until Kevin Bacon gets it

Use all forms of social networking – spread the simple message to your friends and family.◦ Facebook◦ Email◦ Text/call◦ Events on campus

Tell Kevin Bacon to Vote Yes

500 College students on 15 campuses sent initial message via their networks

First Degree◦ 166,014 emailed◦ 47,384 contacted via Facebook◦ 5,871 text messages◦ 3,529 conversations at table or over phone

Failed to track Second, Third, Fourth degree BUT◦ Generated more media◦ Anecdotally know that lots of people outside the

network got the messages that had been forwarded.

Results from Kevin Bacon Action

Reward comes with risk◦ For every student who comes through, some will bag

Money has begun to outweigh grassroots – devalues students’ strength

Students on the move◦ Need to constantly register them to vote, replace with

new volunteers Social media is still unproven as vote tools Volunteer-driven can get “messy” Cost of higher education = students can’t vol. Campus red tape

Challenges