Start a Group

Local Groups generally meet once a month or twice a month. The meetings may focus on reporting recent activities, group business, event planning, letter writing, or it may feature a discussion/speaker/video, group dinner, or some combination of these. Groups also raise money to support the overall work of the Section as well as their local efforts.

Each new group participates in a training period that lasts approximately six months. During this time, members carry out a limited action program while they concentrate on learning about AI and building the group's resources and membership.

Your first step is to contact the Campaigns Officer in the Dublin office at (01) 86 38 300. The rest is laid out for you below:

How to Start a New Local Group
The process of establishing and developing an effective Amnesty International Local Group can be separated into three broad developmental phases.

Developmental Phases:

• Phase One: Form a core group >
  
• Phase Two: Expand the group >
  
• Phase Three: Develop a long-term group strategy >

Resources for Groups > (to page)

(Estimated time periods are suggested as guidelines. The actual “growth rate” of your group will be largely dependent on the number of members and frequency of your meetings.)