Stencil it out there - make a mark
Many people, if they think about the AIDS epidemic at all, think of it as a health crisis they can do little or nothing about. The stencils in the campaign packs are designed to help you to get people looking at the issue in a different light - as an issue where action and political action is urgently needed and where such action can make a real difference.
Stencils can go almost anywhere and are brilliant at grabbing people’s attention, making them the perfect campaign tool. Stencils can be used to get the message out that the AIDS crisis is POLITICAL and that therefore we can do something about it.
How to use your stencil
- Lay the material/paper on a flat surface.
- Cover the area around the stencil to protect it.
- Brush paint/spray paint over the stencil.
- Remove stencil carefully and leave to dry.
- Use chalk if you want to create a temporary stencil outside which will wash off in the rain.
- Send us your photos of how you have used your stencil
Each campaign pack contains an ‘AIDS is POLITICAL’ stencil. You can use this to make T-shirts which can be worn at events, and posters to advertise events and actions, and show others around you what you are doing and why it is important. A stencilled T-shirt or stencil display also creates a good starting point for a conversation on why we should take political action on the AIDS crisis.
Get the message out there! The mind boggles at the possibilities of stencils.
Get creative and send us pictures of your stencil art and we will put them on the website.
WAD 2007 Caroline Fielding of Leicester P&P wearing an AIDS is POLITICAL stencilled t.shirt
2007 Liverpool University. Dr Karl Kennedy signs a prescription for universal access to HIV treatment by 2010.
Have you got a good opening line?
How will you communicate the campaign and persuade people to take action? How will you explain that the AIDS crisis is POLITICAL and consequently that we can and should do something about it? Anyone who has ever spent a couple of hours behind a campaign stall, or has tried to engage with the public about an issue, knows that it takes a while to get your ‘spiel’ right.
Your ‘spiel’ is what you say to someone to hook them into listening to you and to get them to do something. This might be signing an action card or leaving a video message. Practise makes perfect and there are lots of things you can do to make sure your spiel is at its utmost effectiveness:
- You could practise your spiel in your P&P group before your action by dividing into pairs and taking turns to say your spiel and get feedback. Compare ideas about what worked and what didn’t.
- Think about the three main points you want to get across.
- Practise reducing the time you take to complete your spiel; you want to get people interested before they have the chance to run away! You can expand on your points if they would like to hear more.
- Everyone has their own style and people feel comfortable with different approaches, so see what works for you.
- Do remember not everyone you speak to will be interested, so do not get disheartened. Some people may just be looking for a good argument! Be careful of getting drawn too deep into debate and consequently losing the chance to speak to more sympathetic individuals.
- Don’t forget to tell them about the action they can take!