The Steps To Take
It may be helpful to make a timeline, so you don’t get stuck in one step.

1. Get a group together.
This could be a group of friends, or put flyers up, or send out something over the Internet. Keep in mind that your group my shrink over time, be constantly recruiting. Have meetings and try to make them fun. It's best to work with students from different academic years and professors so administrators won’t be waiting for the group to graduate.

2. Find your target.
Find out who decides what type of paper the school buys. This could be the school purchaser, a company that is contracted out, the head of each department, a branch of the student government, etc. Make phone calls or visit offices and ask this question, “Who buys the paper?” If you don’t get a straight answer, keep asking. If it is a separate company, find out who at the school deals with that company. There has to be somebody.

3. Do some research.
Be especially careful not to get caught up in this stage. What type of paper does your school currently buy? Find out if that company offers 100% recycled non-chlorine bleached paper. Contact other local paper companies ask for samples. Visit www.ran.org to get the facts about forest destruction and the paper industry. Get all the info you’ll need for a good argument. If you can’t find some info that’s o.k.

4. Set up a meeting with the target.
Before the meeting, make sure you know what you want to get out of it (your goals). Ask for what you want. Give your reasons. Be clear and concise. Have it in writing and try to get them to sign it. Make sure you ask for something that can’t be reversed i.e. ask for a school policy of buying recycled paper as opposed to just buying recycled paper this year. Encourage them to find the answers to their own questions, especially if they are questions you can’t answer. Use students who have already won paper campaigns at other schools as a resource. Before you leave the meeting, ask yourself if you accomplished your goals (or at least moved closer toward them). If you haven’t completely accomplished your goals, make sure both you and your target know exactly what the next step is. Don’t give up. Set up a second meeting. Give yourself and your target “homework” to be completed for the second meeting (for example extra research that needs to be done, or a specific person that needs to be talked to).

5. Follow up.
Contact your target again a week or two after the meeting to “see how things are going.” If necessary, contact them frequently, especially if they are not responding to you. Have different members of your group contact the target and use different methods like phone call, email, personal visit, or a letter. If necessary contact your target’s supervisor and tell him/her that the person is not responding to you.

6. Don’t let them tell you that buying recycled paper not possible.
Have a rebuttal for all their excuses. If they tell you its too expensive, tell them to look into a different company or distributor. Keep following up and having meetings. Make sure you are taking the appropriate steps to get your policy in place. Always make it clear with your target when things will get done. Make a timeline. Decide beforehand if you will make compromises. If so, what type, will you accept 80% pcw? Will you accept elemental chlorine free paper? If things start taking too long move to step 7.

7. Make noise.
Make it publicly known that you are not getting what you want. Have an info table in the dining hall. Write messages with chalk on the ground. Have a teach-in to educate other students. Hold a demonstration in a place where everyone can see. Hang a banner. Do a visible action on prospective students day (colleges hate it when prospectives get a negative image of the school). Contact the local newspaper or radio. Do some street theater on campus. Petitions are really time consuming, but if you think it will help, do it. Get the professors on your side. Brainstorm other crazy ideas.

8. Keep going until you get your policy.

9. Once you win, thank your school and make your win public.
Do something like the actions mentioned in step 7, but this time makes it positive and tell everyone how great recycled paper is!!

REMEMBER:
Establish your goals and make sure you are always working towards them. Be careful not to get caught up in little issues along the way. Always ask yourself “Does this help me reach one of my goals?” If the answer is “no” come up with a new approach.