Bell Tower 101

Many people have wondered what happens at Meet Me @ the Bell Tower’s anti-violence rallies. We will share with you the short and simple steps of running your very own Community Building event!!

1. Identify the Issue together

• Bring together a group of allies who will understand the issue
  
• Make sure that you have a clear understanding of the issue
  
• Write out your  Vision together (a statement to share with the community so they know what the cause or issue is)
  

2. Pick a Meeting Place

• Choose a place that is accessible for people to travel to
  
• Make sure the location is in a visible public place
  
• Make sure that it is safe for children (appoint child minders, post guards on streets etc.)
  

3. Ask for help

• Ask local businesses and groups to help advertise or attend
  
• Ask individuals, groups and businesses if they would attend your rally to support
  
• OTHER: invite people to help in any way they feel they can (posters, social media, cooking, organizing, performing etc)
  

4. Tell the World

• Share the message on social media (facebooke vents, twitter hashtags, etc)
  
• Ask bloggers, media outlets and schools to put up posters and spread the word (creatively)
  
• Create some really fun, clever, cool and cheeky advertisement strategy – everyone is on the same page, using the same messages
  

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Tips: 
- Make sure that people can hear each other -
(like a megaphone, microphone, or indoor space)
- People like food -
- Stay positive -
- Encourage honesty, but respect  -
- Create group ground rules together about 
speaking times and conflict management -
- Encourage networking -
- Provide entertainment if possible -
- LISTEN TO EACH OTHER -

The Rally
Once you gather at the meeting place you must conduct a rally. This is a chance to introduce the topic, allow community members to be heard, share ideas. This is where people build relationships with one another, feel validated and share their own words.

1. Set-Up

• Get as many people involved in setting up as possible, make a game out of it if you can, celebrate the contributions of time and positive role models
  

2. Welcome & introduction

• Someone must welcome the attendees and summarize why we are here
  
• Stay positive. Make sure you emphasize we are here to talk about solutions and not wallow in sadness
  

3. Speaker’s Corner

• Now we allow people a chance to share their thoughts on the topic
  
• Encourage people to be brief in their comment (4 minute MAX)
  
• Enforce a “respectful listening by example” policy (and shush with love)
  

4. RING THE BELL!

• At our rallies we ring the bell and give people the opportunity to ring it for a reason, personal or public.
  
• Also a time to let the community know what we are doing
  
• Allow all who are interested to participate
  

5. Make a Plan

• Take advantage of having a motivated group together.
  
• Ask them what we can do as individuals to make things better.
  

6. Next Meeting?

• Always plan the next gathering before you leave so everyone knows.
  
• Also discuss the theme or topic or focus of the next meeting
  
• Share roles in the promotion, planning, organizing of the next event among