Roles in, before, and after an action

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Every action requires a range of different tasks - some very visible (i.e. the people blocking a street, the press spokesperson), other less visible, and more in the background. It is the role of the Coordinator/Organizer, or the facilitator at meetings, to identify what roles are needed and how they can be filled. Each of these tasks are equally important, as all together make an action possible. Some of these tasks, like outreach and organizing, may be shared by several people. And those people may take on other tasks, such as scouting the site. Consider rotating tasks where possible, such as meeting facilitation. It's important that the people responsible for various tasks during an action work together as a team, which takes preparation before the action. You can find more details on some of these tasks in this handbook, especially in Nonviolent Campaigns, Role of Media, Working in Groups, Legal Support, and Jail Support.

Before action

• Coordinator/Organizer

• Nonviolence Trainer

• Fundraisers

• Research

• Scouting the site or route

• Outreach and organizing

• Logistics and support

• Meeting facilitator

• Prop, sign and banner making, Painters, Graphic artists, etc.

• Media outreach: Send out media advisory and media release

• Media kits

• Writers

During action

• People risking arrest (committing civil disobedience)

• Support People

• Police Liaison

• Peacekeepers/monitors

• Deployment Team/ Diversion

• Media spokesperson

• Communication team

• Demonstrators/Sign-holders/Chanters/Singers/ Hand out literature etc.

• Videographer

• Still photographer

• Medic/EMT/Medical Team

• Legal Observer(s)

• Jail Support Contact person

After action

• Legal Support

• Lawyer

• Meeting facilitator for evaluation

• Documentarian/Historian/Archivist

• Fundraisers

• Public speakers

• Letter writers to decision-makers and newspaper editorial boards

Adapted from www.rantcollective.net