We recommend holding a local event to plan your travel to Camp Democracy, promote your efforts to the media, and raise funds. The funds can be used to cover your travel or to contribute to Camp Democracy, or some of each. If you raise funds for Camp Democracy, we may be able to send you a speaker. Please ask.

Some of our member groups are organizing impeachment vigils on September 1. You can combine your Camp Democracy event with one of those vigils HERE.

Many bars are slow on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights and are often willing to be the site of a special event for a cause.

Our member groups have worked with several bars/restaurants in the DC area to host fund raisers for anti-war activities. At these events we have made between $500 and $1500 for the evening.

1 - find a bar owner or manager in a section of town that your members/ supporters/ network either live in or work near who is sympathetic to your cause.

2 - arrange for several hours dedicated to your activity - say 5-8 perhaps - where you can charge a voluntary admission (usually 5-10 dollars)

3 - negotiate to see if you can get a percentage of the bar tab during that time - we have done it several ways - either getting a percentage over a certain amount, getting a flat percentage, or getting a percentage of the tab generated by drinks bought with coupons given to those who paid admission at the door (this was complicated and didn't work terribly well when we did it, but we think it could be made to work)

4 - provide some entertainment if possible - some poetry, a song or two, a short performance of anti-war songs as part of the attraction of the event.

5. Advertise the event through your listserves, public announcements, flyers - let people know they can have a good time and raise money for a great cause as well

6. - make sure you have enough people to cover the door and be available to coordinate with the manager as well

7 - keep the speeches short - basically just let people know what you are raising money for and pass out flyers - bars are noisy, people are socializing, and the purpose is to raise money - so you might want to pass the hat again after the entertainment - and give a little to the performers as well

8 - Be sure to thank the bar owner/manager publically and encourage people to return again - the owner will love the publicity and want you to come back again for another event if it helps their business

9 - Consider buying a supply of Camp Democracy T-shirts to sell at your event

10 - have a good time