TABLING
Tabling is an effective way to make Team Sebelius more visible in your community. We can publicize our current work, announce upcoming events and recruit new members. Tabling can also provide members of the public an opportunity to take action. Possible venues include community festivals, art shows, special events, ethnic festivals, and local coffeehouses and bookstores. In schools venues also include outside of dining halls or the cafeteria, the student union, school library or any place many students pass by.
WHERE AND WHEN TO TABLE
 | Make sure that its not too crowded. You want the table to get noticed and you want people to have the time to stop and talk. | | | Table in a variety of places and times so as to get a good mix of people. | | | Make sure you table where you are allowed to tablefind out how to get the proper permission. |
WHAT GOES ON A TABLE?
| | banners | | | posters | | | fact sheets | | | buttons | | | calendar of events | | | sign-in sheets |
SAMPLE TABLING RAP
Below is our tabling presentation, or rap. A basic tabling rap includes an intro question to get attention, a description of the organization, a quick version of our message, what youre doing about it, and how the person can help. It should end with a request for them to make a commitment (i.e., fill out an interest card, agree to come to an event).
Sample Rap
Hi! Will you sign a action pledge to help re-elect Governor Kathleen Sebelius? Im a volunteer with Team Sebelius, the community action campaign, and were campaigning to get people involved locally.
Our state is headed in the right direction. The Kansas economy is growing and creating jobs, our state has made the largest commitment to its children and their schools in history, and we are continuing to push for expanded health care for children and small businesses. So Team Sebelius is working to help re-elect Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Will you fill out a action pledge?
Thanks! We will be doing many events locally, including having debate watch parties, and walking in parades. Would you be interested in being a Sebelius Teammate?
Just fill out this card and well call you to give you more info on how to get involved.
TIPS ON TABLING
1. Make sure the table looks attractive and professionalmake a good impression. Materials on the table and a large poster or sign help project your presence into a flow of people and help get peoples attention, but it is up to the tablers to actually do the outreach.
2. Use the table as a base, not as a wall to hide behind. Get the more confident tablers to float out into the traffic flow to reach more people. Dont be afraid to go up to people.
3. Tabling is a great first activity for a new Teammate. The best way to train them is to have them learn by doing. Have the person watch you table for a few minutes, then alternate and give feedback. Then table near each other so you can give lots of feedback.
4. Make your table fun and high-energy and it will attract more people.
Tip: Dont leave a table unattended, ever. An empty table suggests disorganization or inactivity. If you have a schedule of tablers for the morning, dont leave the table up all afternoon thinking, People will at least see our materials.
Tabling Goals Worksheet
Goal for interest cards from tabling: ______
On average, you can expect each person to get about six names of people interested in your group in an hour.
Goal for interest cards from tabling / 6 = # volunteer hours: ______
To get that number of volunteer hours, youll need to make sure you have your table set up for enough hours, and have enough volunteers for each hour of tabling.
# volunteer hours / # table hours = # volunteers per hour: ______
Remember, students have hectic lives, so for planning purposes, you should schedule twice as many volunteers as needed because only half will show up.
# volunteers per hour x 2 = # volunteers to schedule per hour: ______ |
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