On the Road: Reflections from a Field Coordinator at Ground Zero Don't Have Time?(pro-life movement, forming chapters)(Brief Article)

"All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." So goes the famous warning by the British statesman Edmund Burke. But my guess is that you good men and women out there may be asking, "When? Where can I find the time to do something?"

As I talk and meet with coordinators of newly forming and already existing chapters, lack of time is the biggest deterrent keeping people from getting actively involved in the pro-life movement. Indeed, most of you have families, jobs, and other responsibilities that keep you busy for more hours than you thought were possible in a week. When you have successfully negotiated through the daily grind, holding or attending yet another meeting at the end of the day may be the last thing you want to do.

That is understandable, but then again, girls in our communities are still getting pregnant and making the wrong choice. People in our hometowns are still misinformed and our elected officials may not be making decisions that extend legal protection to the most vulnerable members of our society.

So, what is that secret something that will keep evil from triumphing and fit into your schedule between car pools and soccer practices, Bible studies, and even an occasional party?

I don't pretend to know the magic recipe that'll give you enough hours in a day to do everything you have been meaning to do. But if we acknowledge the consistent concern that our grassroots and our staff share - - lack of time - - maybe we can find some remedies. I'll start by making some recommendations.

First, be realistic. Building a chapter will take time and energy, but not all of your time or all of your energy. Recruiting members and keeping people involved will not happen overnight, nor will your community recognize you without a regular presence.

So, plan on several annual activities that your members and your community will begin to count on. There's no substitute for this and no better way to both raise your visibility and improve the public's view of your organization.