Recruiting Clean Energy Businesses to the Clean Energy Jobs Day

 

On May 28th, all over the country, we're organizing a Clean Energy Jobs Day -- a national day of action to turn up the heat on Congress by showing the promise of the clean energy economy to our senators and representatives, the media, and the public. We'll highlight the clean energy jobs and businesses that already exist in our communities, and we'll showcase the ways in which they could expand. During the Jobs Day, each MoveOn Council will organize a press conference at a clean energy business, and then lead a tour of a few other clean energy sites. They'll call on their senator or representative to support President Obama's plan for a new energy economy.

In order to run Clean Energy Jobs Days-- we need to recruit clean energy business leaders! Here's an outline for your conversations with clean energy business leaders in your community to invite them to join with the Council for the Clean Energy Jobs Days.

Here's a general guide to recruiting clean energy business leaders:

Goals for your conversation:

• Recruit local clean energy businesses to participate in Clean Energy Jobs Day at the end of May.
• Build long-term relationship with key clean energy businesses that will last for the duration of this campaign!
  

How is this different from the outreach we did to get small businesses to sign the petition?

This is much more targeted. Before we were casting a wide net, looking for any and all small businesses to sign on to a petition to demonstrate broad support. Now we want to specifically highlight businesses that are on the cutting edge of the new energy economy – businesses that could really take off and create more jobs in your local area, if the right investments are made. We’re approaching fewer businesses, but we’re asking more from them. The businesses we’ll be approaching will have a lot at stake in the Waxman/Markey bill, so we anticipate a lot of enthusiasm!

Where do we start? Which businesses should we approach first?

• Start by building upon outreach from the petition drive. Did you get any businesses to sign on that are part of transitioning to a clean energy economy? Businesses that are building or installing wind or solar power? Or businesses that are retro-fitting homes and businesses to be energy efficient?
• Talk with your regional coordinator or your organizer about the lists that were built through the online petition!
• There may also be other great lists of clean energy businesses in your area. Other local or state advocacy organizations may already be working with or profiling local clean energy businesses.
• Ask around, and check on local websites. Businesses that have already signed onto other initiatives may be more likely to also get involved with the Clean Energy Jobs Day.
  

Tips:

• This is an opportunity for the businesses you’re approaching. Approach them with this in mind. You’re not asking them for a favor, but you’re providing a way for them to take grassroots action in their own interest, and in the common interest. They’re also likely to get free advertising out of this!
• You already know that you share something with the businesses you’re approaching: a desire for a sustainable energy policy that rebuilds the economy. These businesses are likely to have a lot to say on the topic. Connect with them on this, and invite them to share their expertise!
• If you have a member of your council who owns or is employed by a clean energy business, see if they’ll make the recruitment calls. They are well-positioned to really make a connection with other business leaders.

 

The Script:

Hello, may I speak with the owner or manager?

Hi, my name is [your name]. I’m volunteering with others in the [your city] area with Power Up America. We’re putting together a Clean Energy Jobs Day to profile businesses like yours – businesses that are on the cutting edge of the new energy economy. Do you have a minute?

If not, ask when is a good time to call back.

If yes, continue…

The purpose of the Clean Energy Jobs Day is to show the promise of the clean energy economy – how we can stimulate the economy, become energy independent, and confront climate change. We want to highlight businesses like yours, and showcase the ways in which this sector of [your state]’s economy could expand. We want to make sure [name of target senator/representative] knows how important this issue is for the future of [your state]’s economy.

What do you think?

*Get a sense of their enthusiasm here before going too far into details. This is where they’re likely to ask what the Clean Energy Jobs Day will look like, or what specifically you’re asking of them.

We want to do a tour of area clean energy economy businesses, like yours, and to hold a press conference to draw attention to this important issue. If we succeed in getting the media here, your business will get some free publicity! And you’ll be helping to advocate for a broader shift to a new energy economy for [your state] and for the country.

Can we count you in?

Next Steps with Committed Clean Energy Business Leaders:

If you haven't had your organizing meeting: ask them to attend the organizing meeting! Send them the online link to register for the organizing meeting.

If you've already had the meeting:

• Invite them to your upcoming check-in call with your team
• Make a plan for when to talk with them again about their role in the event
• And, make sure they register as either a host or attendee for the Clean Energy Jobs Day.

If they request a letter about what hosting entails, here's an outline you can adapt.