Freedom Writer - October 1994 [ref001] Using computers to fight the right Scores of groups

Freedom Writer - October 1994

[ref001]

Using computers to fight the right

Scores of groups formed to oppose the hard right's political agenda 
are springing up across America. Some are small, sustained by one 
or two people; others consist of coalitions with hundreds, even thousands 
of members.

In time, the mobilization of these groups will mean the ultimate defeat 
of the radical Religious Right. While many concerned citizens are 
looking for a quick fix to defeat the hard right —  IRS investigations, 
congressional hearings, the courts, or negative national press — the 
truth is that the downfall of the Religious Right will come through 
grunt work at the local level. In other words, plain old-fashioned 
activism and organizing in local communities. 

Working hard, however, isn't always working smart. And while the use 
of technology is no substitute for hard work, when used wisely, the 
two can complement each another. With technology available to the 
general population, activist groups are discovering the effectiveness 
of computers.  

Today's activists employ computer technology in three primary areas 
— at home, in the field, and in communication with others. With a 
computer, printer, and the right software, organizations can greatly 
increase their effectiveness.

Nowadays, news spreads at the speed of light, literally. It is important 
for activists to keep up to date about important events and to be 
able to communicate with other groups and activists. Computers enable 
local groups to communicate with others across the country and around 
the world. This is accomplished through modems, e-mail, bulletin board 
services (BBS), and computer-generated faxes. 

A modem is a device in your computer or attached to it that sends 
and receives information over regular phone lines. E-mail (electronic 
mail) services are provided by companies such as MCI, and online services 
such as Compuserve or Delphi. With e-mail you can send an electronic 
letter to anyone who subscribes to an online service. If their computer 
is not on at the time you send a letter, it is stored in a centralized 
“mail box” until the intended recipient retrieves it. You can also 
receive mail in the same manner.

Modems are also used to send and receive fax transmissions and any 
file stored on your computer's hard disk. Any document in your computer 
can be faxed without having to print it out and feed it into a fax 
machine.

Bulletin board services (BBS), allow computer users to “talk” with 
one another, or to post information for the other members of the service.

Hundreds of BBSs, dealing with every subject and interest, exist. 
The hard right uses BBSs both to communicate among its adherents, 
and also to monitor groups they oppose. Of course, groups fighting 
the radical right can join and monitor the opposition's bulletin boards. 
The Internet, the so-called information superhighway, may be accessed 
through any one of numerous online services. 

Research is a key to successful activism. Local groups formed to challenge 
the radical right should know the opposition. One way to do this is 
to carefully monitor the letters to the editor in your local paper. 
Make a database file of letter writers who  support the religious 
right's agenda. (Of course, when you see letters in support of what 
your group stands for, contact these people to let them know of your 
existence, and invite them to join.) Each file in your database should 
note why the person is listed, and where to find a copy of their letter 
to the editor, or other information, in your vertical files.

Sometimes radical right groups announce their meetings in the newspaper. 
On the other hand, you can often find out about these meetings by 
visiting local Christian bookstores. Many Christian bookstores have 
bulletin boards for public notices. These interesting stores are a 
good place to find announcements about up-coming meetings for groups 
such as the Christian Coalition, Concerned Women for America, Citizens 
for Excellence in Education, etc. Note the groups and individuals 
you find listed on these bulletin boards, and then enter that information 
in your databank.

Some researchers visit conservative Christian churches in order to 
gather information. This is often an excellent, but overlooked source. 
Activist church foyers often display literature from local and national 
religious right organizations. Another way to gather information is 
by joining local and national religious right groups. Just by getting 
on their mailing lists, you will receive information about their activities 
on a regular basis.

Compile every article you can find on the radical religious right. 
Enter pertinent information from these articles into a database, and 
note where to find the original article at a later date. Maintain 
data on national figures as well as local activists.

You never know when the information in your files will save the day. 
Perhaps a minister in your community decides to run for public office. 
There is nothing wrong in itself about a minister running for office. 
However, you run his name on your computer and find that his letters 
to the editor have been published over the years. Next, you look in 
his vertical file for these letters and find that three years ago 
he advocated some extreme position. Now, you are equipped with information 
the public should know about this candidate. (How you use the information 
depends on how your group is organized. Non-profit organizations are 
not allowed to oppose or endorse candidates.)

Perhaps your group is involved in voter identification and mobilization 
— activities which are nearly impossible without computers. If you 
know who supports your interests, and if you can get them out on election 
day, you will win every battle. Remember, the war is going to be won 
on the local level, community by community. 

Generally, an organization's activities cover three broad areas: fundraising, 
membership, and activism. Without funds there is no organization. 
As income and expenditures must be carefully tracked, good bookkeeping 
is essential. Computers are ideal for this task. A number of inexpensive 
bookkeeping and accounting programs are well-suited for the small 
organization.
 
Information about donors and members is easily organized using a simple 
computerized database. The database should include basic information 
such as addresses, phone numbers (include fax numbers and e-mail addresses), 
member's interests, a record of donations, and a list of volunteers. 
The data base is invaluable when the need arises to contact members 
quickly. The program can print a list of mailing labels, or phone 
numbers — and even dial them automatically.

Computers are also useful in securing operating capital. Grant money 
for almost any cause is available on both the local and national level. 
Grant seekers can keep track of foundation guidelines, deadlines, 
and grant timelines with a computer. Time management programs are 
excellent for managing grant proposals. Calendars and built-in timers 
remind the user of upcoming deadlines, and pop-up notes are useful 
for keeping pertinent information on each potential funder.

Sometimes activists get so caught up in the work that they don't take 
time to raise the needed funds. 	 While this is often a problem, it 
should not be the norm. Using computers to stay on track in fundraising 
may mean the difference between success and failure.

If your group publishes a newsletter (an excellent way to keep members 
informed and interested), a computer is by far the best way to maintain 
a mailing list and print labels. A database program can also track 
membership and subscription expiration dates. If your group wants 
to publish a newsletter, there is no better way to publish an attractive 
newsletter than with a desktop-publishing program and a laser or inkjet 
printer.

Finally, if you don't set goals for your group you probably won't 
accomplish much. Time management programs, as mentioned above, can 
help keep your short-term and long-term goals on track. Of course, 
using a word processing program for all of your writing is much more 
efficient than an electric typewriter.

For more information on specific computers, printers, and software, 
check out computer magazines, catalogs, or visit your local computer 
store. Magazines such as _Home_Office_Computing_ review computers 
and programs, and list the current best-selling programs.

Computers may seem costly at first. But without them, no organization 
can compete. 

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The Freedom Writer / ifas@crocker.com

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