Don't Blame the Audience

When I am presenting my "Train the Trainer" session with peer educators, RA's, and administrators, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "How do we get men involved? When we handout brochures in the Student Union, rarely do men take anything." My response is simple. Why do you have such a lame brochure that no guy wants to pick up? If you want to draw the average male into your efforts, create materials that relate to the average male.

Materials that say, "Join Men Against Rape" are built on a negative. It is men "Against . . ." Instead, create an organization that shows what men are fighting FOR!! Most people want to join positive organizations. What could you title the organization that would be a positive title? For example, "Men Making a Difference!!" Produce materials that say, "How Strong Are You? Strong Enough to be a Real Man? Real Men Speak Out!! Join us on Tuesday at 7:00 PM." It is a powerful message.

If you want to be more controversial, you could be thought-provoking with issues that spark a fire inside a certain group of men such as for males in the Greek system on campus, "Do You Hate How Greek Members Are Assumed to Be Rapists? Do something about it by showing up on Tuesday at 7:00 PM!" In this example, you are speaking to men about something that they feel directly effects them. Best of all, you can then show those men how they can change that image of Greek Life by each of them getting personally involved in awareness education and efforts on campus. Thus, you are giving them a proactive approach to a major campus issue. To avoid further upsetting any group, you should only place this type of an Ad in the Greek Life houses / housing (where only they would see it). Better yet, ask their leadership to put the signs up. Many Greek members on campus constantly tell me how they hate the negative image and want to change it. Create a forum for those individuals to get involved.

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