You may have seen this video before as it’s been doing the rounds on the internet. It’s a short clip put together by GetUp, the most powerful community advocacy group in Australia.

GetUp are a very influential and powerful group. They have a community of over 300 000 Australians. But the thing I love about them is they get real things done. Their approach to advocating for whatever cause is so creative, unique, and in the end effective, that they really see results. If ever you think Aussies are getting apathetic about social or political issues, just take a look at these guys and what they do.

This is the group that raised enough money to buy a surfing lesson with Tony Abbott on behalf of an Afghan refugee, which was being sold at a Canberra Press Gallery ball last month. In the space of less than a month they put out the call and got together $16 000, enough to outbid all the media wanting the one-on-one time and give Riz Waakil the chance to tell Abbott his story.

The thing about GetUp is that they don’t ask for your money and then promise to do something worthwhile with it, like lots of NGOs do. They find a cause, a reason, and then put out the call for the money to get it done. It’s proactive, and it unites everyone who donates with a feeling of really having contributed, having got something achieved.

They get their ads, like the one above, into prime time spots on TV. They get writing in the sky and thousands onto the steps of Parliament house. They prompt mountains of letters sent to politicians. Just this week they organised supporters to organise simultaneous, nation-wide ‘get togethers’ in people’s homes where they discuss issues and plan election strategies.

They don’t back any particular party, they just advocate for what is right. They back involvement.

Above all, they’re finding ways to get people thinking and get people active. It’s a great new way of looking at advocacy, and of getting people involved in the democratic process they live within. And it’s usually pretty funny too.

I know this election hasn’t exactly been riveting so far, but it’s still a national election. Should you be getting more involved?

Comments  

 

0 #7 2010-09-04 09:50

I just don't like that most of their staff are ex-ALP staffers that they get lots of union funding and still claim to be independent. They go out of their way to go after Abbott in this way, but they don't do anything similar for Gillard, Brown or Fielding!

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0 #6 2010-08-31 15:20

Actual BigSean, I personally know that man and knew him when he was in detention. He is NOT a fake. Where on earth do you get your misinformation from? People like you do not want the facts, you only want to believe whatever fits your already formed opinions.

Quoting BigSean:

Wow, get up managed to get just 4 members to give them a wrap ? I also saw the add they plan to run about boat people, the guy in the add is a fake. Someone in the media check it out and you will find out the true story.

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-3 #5 2010-08-13 17:36

Wow, get up managed to get just 4 members to give them a wrap ? I also saw the add they plan to run about boat people, the guy in the add is a fake. Someone in the media check it out and you will find out the true story.

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+1 #4 2010-08-10 23:06

Yes, get more involved everyone! Through GetUp we have just held a very successful vigil for mental health in Blacktown. Fifty people attended a fantastically well-run event this evening (10 Aug), including several candidates for federal election in the Chifley & Greenway seats. Ordinary citizens take action!

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+1 #3 2010-08-08 12:16

Now this is how I like to see people using their influence. Good on ya Kochie...Get Up is fantastic.

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+1 #2 2010-08-07 21:22

I think get up are great its a pity that us decent independents that try to stand up don't get a fair go by the mainstream media. I have learnt allot since I have been running for a seat in SA for the senate. Well done get up keep keeping them honest.

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+9 #1 2010-07-30 08:42

I love Get Ups creative genius and wnat to know what happened to Riz Wakil's surfing lesson and Breakfast with Tony. Or is that Cabinet in confidence? Is Tony affected by his story and by Hazara persecution which drives good people to desperate means? Like getting on a too small stinking fishing boat when you can't swim and you have never seen the ocean before! That's desperate, that's courage, that's asylum seeking.

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