Resistance Summer: Neighborhood Listening Project

Online and in the media, it may seem that we are all hopelessly divided (or that we all agree).

But on the doorsteps, face to face, people are nuanced. They’re conflicted and have the same concerns about our shared country. And often the best way to persuade or motivate someone is to just show up and listen.

That's why this July, as Washington debates radical cuts to our health care system, progressives in all 50 states are taking to the doors to have thousands of conversations about healthcare and other issues in our country—and the solutions we need to fix it. 

Will you join us and host a Neighborhood Listening Project canvass?

Your event might be just a few friends out talking to neighbors, or 100 local activists canvassing an entire community. We will provide you with all the training and materials you need to be successful, and learn how to organize and launch future canvass events in your area. 

Instructions for hosts:  

  • The Neighborhood Listening Project will begin on Tuesday, July 18, and continue through Sunday, July 30. 

  • Plan for your event to last roughly 3.5 hours (one hour for training and arrival, two hours for canvassing, 30 minutes for debrief). Start times no earlier than 10:00 a.m. and end times no later than 8:30 p.m. 

  • We are not using targeted voter lists for these canvasses, so feel free to pick any neighborhood you chose for your event, though it's often simplest and most rewarding to canvass the neighborhood you live in. Just make sure it's easily walkable. 

  • If you chose to make your event 'public' MoveOn will email nearby members to invite them to your event. If you make your event 'private' you can still invite your friends or family, but MoveOn won't recruit other members to attend.

  • You can also limit the maximum number of sign ups to your event. Remember that not every RSVP will show up, so we suggest setting this roughly 2x larger than your actual max. 

  • The "Venue" field is visible to the public and should indicate the general area where the event will be or the name of the park, facility, or home (e.g., "Sam and Jan's house"). Do not use the street address or last name in the "Venue" field. 

  • A 'listening canvass' is an approach to traditional canvassing that builds on exciting new research into 'deep canvassing' as a way to persuade and motivate voters. You can read more about deep canvassing here and here. 

By creating an event, you agree to the following statements:

  • I agree that neither MoveOn.org Civic Action nor MoveOn.org Political Action, other partners, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, or consultants (the “Releasees”) shall be responsible for any injury to my person or property occurring during or in connection with this event.

  • I hereby and forever release and discharge the Releasees from and against any and all costs, damages, and liability for death, injury to person, injury or damage to property, or other damages, costs, losses, or expenses of whatsoever nature, caused during or by reason of my participation in this event. I am 18 years of age or older. If I am a parent or guardian of an individual under 18 years of age, I make this agreement on behalf of myself and that individual.

If you have questions, please email us: summer-help@moveon.org.

    Your contact information
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      U.S. and U.S. territories only
      Event information

      Must be in MM/DD/YYYY format. Event must start on or after 07/17/2017. Event must end on or before 08/14/2017.

      at
      This means that MoveOn will not recruit other MoveOn members near you to attend your event.
      Event location
      Event description

      If your event is public, people will see this description before signing up for your event.

      Attendees will only see this once they've chosen to sign up for your event.

      Event rules

      Here are the basic requirements for event hosts:

      Whether you've hosted an action before or not, we will provide you with all the information you need to hold a successful event! Hosting an action is simple and fun. You’ll be provided with easy-to-follow host materials, support to invite attendees to your event, and the opportunity to join an online community of thousands of volunteer leaders across the country taking part in the resistance.

      By creating an event, you are agreeing to serve as the host of the event. Your responsibilities as host include:

      • Arranging that all the necessary materials are brought to the event (you can ask other participants for help).
      • Contacting and communicating with the people who participate in your event. We will encourage attendees not to attend an event where the host has not confirmed their participation.
      • Filing a quick post-meeting report.

      By creating an event, you agree to the following statements:

      • I agree that neither MoveOn.org Civic Action nor MoveOn.org Political Action, other partners, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, or consultants (the “Releasees”) shall be responsible for any injury to my person or property occurring during or in connection with this event.

      • I hereby and forever release and discharge the Releasees from and against any and all costs, damages, and liability for death, injury to person, injury or damage to property, or other damages, costs, losses, or expenses of whatsoever nature, caused during or by reason of my participation in this event. I am 18 years of age or older. If I am a parent or guardian of an individual under 18 years of age, I make this agreement on behalf of myself and that individual.

      Here are the rules for hosting events:

      Thank you for agreeing to organize a local event for a national campaign sponsored by MoveOn.org Civic Action (“MoveOn”). By agreeing to organize a local event (the “Event”) and by logging into this website (the “Site”) and using the application accessible through this Site (the “Event Tool”), and in consideration of being allowed to use the name of MoveOn in connection with the Event, you agree to

      (1) follow MoveOn’s written directions regarding the organization and timetable for the Event;

      (2) use all scripts and materials provided by MoveOn for the Event;

      (3) refer to and use the name and mark “MoveOn” in connection with the Event as authorized and directed by MoveOn; and otherwise to name, characterize or describe the Event, as directed by MoveOn

      (4) in all emails sent to recruit participants, in all press releases and announcements and other communications regarding the Event, include the following language:

      “Everyone participating in this Event will be required to abide by all applicable laws and lawful orders of authorities. This Event will be nonviolent and will not involve any civil disobedience or other violation of law.”

      (5) obtain all permits and licenses necessary to hold the Event;

      (6) communicate and coordinate with local law enforcement authorities to make them aware of the Event and offer to coordinate and cooperate with them in arranging for security of Event participants and the public, to the extent applicable and necessary

      (7) not request or direct, or knowingly permit anyone acting on his/her or its behalf to request or direct, any participant in the Event to engage in any unlawful activity, including unlawful nonviolent direct action; and

      You are authorized to distribute all materials MoveOn provides to, including through his Site, you for use in organizing and putting on your Event. MoveOn retains all rights to the computer applications, web applications, database programs and web content files incorporated into or utilized in the Site and no one may modify, copy, publish or transmit those applications, programs or files without the express prior permission of MoveOn.

      Next, we'll email you a link to confirm your event.