The Virtual Activist 2.0

A Training Course
developed by Audrie Krause, Michael Stein,
Judi Clark, Theresa Chen, Jasmine Li,
Josh Dimon, Jennifer Kanouse, and Jill Herschman

New! Download NetAction's Virtual Activist Training Reader

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• Part 1: Introduction
  • The big picture
  • Active and passive tools
  • Maximum impact
• Part 2: Using Email for Outreach, Organizing, and Advocacy
  • Part 2A: The Fundamentals
  • Elements of email advocacy
  • Preparing an email action alert
  • Distributing an email action alert
  • Do's and Don'ts
  • Cyberspace Networking
  • Intranets and electronic networks
  • Collaborative Discussion Tools
  • Chat and IRC
  • Instant Messaging
  • Part 2B: Mailing Lists
  • Creating your email list
  • Using your regular email software
  • Other email list software options
  • Techniques for using email lists
  • Part 2C: Tips for Effective Online Media
  • Tips for Effective Online Media
  • How to Create An Email Media List: A NetAction Guide
  • Using Your Email Address Book
  • Using the "Bcc" Field
  • Online Media Advocacy Resources
  • Media Advocacy Guides and Tool Kits
  • Online Media and News Services
  • Directories
  • Online Public Relations: Bibliography
• Part 3: Web-based Advocacy and Outreach Tools
  • Part 3A: Basic Strategies
    • Integration of email and Web tools
    • Web outreach
    • Web-based services for non-profits
  • Part 3B: Web Site Mini-Trainer
  • How to find a server for your organization's Web site
  • HTML
  • Javascript
  • Web content and accessibility
  • Web promotion
  • Additional tips
• Part 4: Membership and Fundraising
  • Your membership
  • Fundraising

• Part 5: Privacy, Security, Copyright, and Censorship
  • Privacy
  • Security
    • NetAction's Cyber Security Checklist
  • Copyright
  • Censorship

• Part 6: Technology Planning
  • What Is Technology Planning?
  • Assessing Technology Resources
  • Leadership
  • The Planning Team
  • Technology Assessment Tools
  • Identifying and Prioritizing Technology Needs
  • Vision Statement
  • Budgeting
  • Timeline for Implementation
  • Writing the Plan
  • Funding for Technology

• The Virtual Activist Reader
• Section I: General Resources for Activists
• Section II: Additional Resources on Web Page Development
• Section III: Articles on Internet Activism
• Section IV: Additional Resources for Online Activism
• Section V: Non-Profit Technology Planning and Assistance
• Section VI: NetAction Notes Articles on Internet Activism

This guide is also available to be downloaded in the following formats: ASCII (text only), and the entire guide as one file (about 160k). This document last modified .

NetAction's Quick Reference Checklists

Download and print these checklists for quick reference or distribution as workshop handouts.

• Is Your Action Alert Ready to Circulate in Cyberspace? (also in Word and PDF)
• How To Create A "Bcc" Email List (also in Word and PDF)
• Tips for Effective Online Media (also in Word and PDF)

A Note About Using This Site

This training course includes links to many other sites, which we are using to provide you with examples of how the Internet is being used for activism. We recommend that you BOOKMARK THIS PAGE now so that you can return to it easily as you make your way through the curriculum. Or, if you prefer, you can use the BACK button to return to the site after leaving it to view one of the examples we have linked to it.

We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to contact us at .

Copyright Notice

Copyright 1996-2006 by NetAction under Creative Commons "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license." This means you are free to share and remix the material on this site, provided the derivative work is attributed to NetAction, it is non-commercial, and the resulting work is distributed or used subject to the same license.

NetAction is a project of The Tides Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Many thanks go to Michael Stein, Judi Clark, Theresa Chen, Jasmine Li, Josh Dimon, Jennifer Kanouse, and Jill Herschman for their help compiling this information.

Next: Part 1: Introduction