Frequently asked questions: short answers

How do we connect with people outside of our activist/leftist circles?

Upstream

Realize the unconscious bias that causes us to "favor people who share the same interests, backgrounds and experiences as we do. We are generally more comfortable with people who are similar to us." 

Connecting with...

-A new person

Do booths and talk to people who are not in our circles - don't look like us (counteract the affinity/favoritism bias within group/end group of naturally going to people who look like us).

-A new group

Find out about the group's activities so you understand who you want to talk to.

Offer to come to a meeting to present your group and a campaign or project that the group you are meeting with might be interested in.

Different types of relationships are possible. We don't force things. A group may want to start by collaborating minimally, having doubts about the intentions of the group approaching them (e.g., Tokenism, social capital).

Keep in mind the importance of making collaboration enjoyable (and desirable). Groups will be more likely to want to work with a group whose members are aware of the issues they are advocating for.