Enewsletter

Enewsletter • October 3, 2012

Notes from Vegan Outreach

Activist Profile: Lisa Drapkin

Continuing our series of activist profiles, we head to New York and talk with Lisa. Here are some excerpts:

What made you decide to start leafleting?

[L]eafleting is a much better use of my time than taking part in demos. I like leafleting because it’s something anyone can do with only time and motivation. I like the fact that leafleting is really educating people about pertinent information that they otherwise may have never known or thought about.

What would you say to individuals hesitant about leafleting?

I’d say that if I could do it, anyone could do it. I used to be the shyest person in the world. Leafleting has actually helped me overcome this. I need to leaflet because otherwise I’ll feel like I’m not contributing to this massive mind shift we have to create in the world. I had to overcome my feelings of social anxiety and fear because the cause is so enormous. I still get scared before I leaflet, but the period also gets shorter and shorter with each time. Once you hand out the first booklet, you get in the zone and it feels natural.

Full interview here.

From “Your Daily Dose of Vegan Outreach!” & Jack Norris RD Blogs

Product of the Week

Lisa: “Field Roast smoked apple sage sausages – I only tried them for the first time recently and now I wish I could eat them every day!”

Please submit your nominees for product of the week via this page; previous entries here.

Notes from Our Members


	Nathan Shin makes the animals’ case in NYC.

Take rate of 80–90% at Western New England University! I was amazed at how nice the students were. Students came over to get a booklet saying, “I love animals” and “I want to help animals.” One girl said, “This is going to make me cry,” but took the Even If You Like Meat anyway! Met a student at the end who chatted a bit about factory farming and the horrible cruelty forced upon the animals. He wanted to change his eating habits, so he got a Guide. He gave me his email because he also wants guidance on how to help get better food choices in his cafeteria, and get a group going on campus.
A farmers’ market had been set up by some of the food staff, so I gave them booklets. When I was leaving, the chief of campus police approached me. He had gotten booklets from the farmers’ market, looked them over, and wanted a set of each for himself and his wife!
At Springfield College, I got seven people’s info who wanted to start a veg group on campus. I also met a student who had been thinking of going vegan, but felt “stuck.” I went through a Guide with her. She was very happy to see all the information, and said she would start right away!
—Karen James, 9/20/12

Reached over 1,250 students at the University of Idaho. A girl told me she received a booklet in the past and didn’t eat meat for a long time but has since gone back. I gave her a Guide and she seemed willing to give it another go. Another older professor-looking woman was so thankful that I was out there and said she was so glad that “you young people are taking charge,” to which I said, “Thanks for paving the way!” I also had my first ever unicycle handoff. Finally, Peter asked for a booklet and stood next to a tree near me reading it cover-to-cover for nearly 20 minutes [right]. He walked back over to me and we discussed the issue for a while. He explained that he now wants to stop supporting factory farms because the way that animals are treated is sickening.
—John Oberg, 9/21/12

Today was my leafleting debut, at Hamilton’s Open Streets festival. I was surprised how many people stopped to talk – approximately 20–25, ranging from 2 minutes to 10 minutes in length. In addition to a group of four students, I also talked with two former dairy farmers! I was a little nervous during that conversation but managed to maintain a friendly and open dialogue with them about how the industry has changed. And finally, I had a great conversation with a (not yet veg) sixth-grade teacher who told me several students in her class had become vegetarians after doing a project on factory farming. I thanked her for being open and supporting her students in this way; she took a booklet.
—Lee Aiken (above), 9/23/12

I did a half-hour presentation of my art work and animal rights at my class (at Laney College). Handed out 15 VO booklets. The students were quite receptive and at least half said they rarely ate meat. The teachers said they wanted to help me get the message out to other community college classes and that I could present it to the Sustainability Committee – which is a group of teachers concerned about environmental and social issues. I will do that soon.
—Leslie Goldberg, 9/19/12

Lots of vegetarians at LaGuardia Community College, and good conversations. Spoke with a former vegetarian who is now coming back. After a while, he took booklets and started handing them out!
—Casey, 9/20/12

At Southern Maine Community College, a young man [right] walked by and said, “You changed my life.” He stopped to explain that he got a booklet from me two years ago and has been vegan ever since! His girlfriend went vegan as well!
I had a good conversation with a man in a suit who was carrying a Bible. He said he goes to campuses to preach to students. His brother is a vegetarian. He asked some thoughtful questions and seemed to like my answers. He accepted a Would Jesus Eat Meat Today?
A different young man said, “I hate you.” I said, “Excuse me?” He said, “I hate you. I won’t want to eat meat after reading this.” He sighed, smiled, and thanked me for the info.
—Lana Smithson, 9/20/12

It was great to have Kat and Andrew helping out at the University of Mary Washington. Kat had interned for MFA this summer, so was already an experienced leafleter. Andrew, who made his leafleting debut, said about Kat, “I can see why she’s so into this!” We smashed the school record – reaching over 1,100 students.
—Jon Camp, 9/21/12

Macie, Jasmine, and I set a new record at Cabrillo College, reaching nearly 1,000 new students! Lots of conversations. I talked to at least four people who will probably move towards veg / vegan now.
Kitty did a great job today at Los Medanos College, where we reached 881 students. I remember doing this school in 2009 and meeting no vegetarians or vegans. We met about 10 today, and many students mentioned Food, Inc., learning about it in a class, being aware already, etc. Love to see measurable progress like this.
Today, Jack and I [right] busted the old record at Cosumnes River College, reaching over 1,500 new students! Met a good number of veg and veg-curious folk. One woman told me she read the booklet and is giving up meat!
—Brian Grupe, 9/24/12


	At Hostos Community College, Katie Pryor watched these students read their booklets from cover to cover.

From a recent batch of Guide requests:

A girl at the farmers’ market makes these fabulous vegan cookies, and had rows of Vegan Outreach booklets lined up next to her cookies. I had noticed I was subconsciously eating less meat than usual when I came across these booklets, and knew it was a good choice for me. Being a foodie already familiar with the pleasures of fruits and veggies, I am excited by the challenge of excluding animal products from my diet. Thank you for making the beautifully designed message that changed my life. It feels good knowing I am a part of a movement bigger than just considering where our food comes from.
—KG, 9/6/12

A girl was passing out booklets at the Made in America Jay Z festival in Philly two weeks ago. I appreciated her efforts to spread awareness. I’ve been a vegetarian for 6 months, and it’s a struggle sometimes, so I found your booklet motivating.
—JJ, 9/11/12

A young man outside North Dakota State was handing out booklets, so I had to check it out and immediately supported what I read.
—BH, 9/11/12

At Black Hills State, there was a guy handing out booklets; I took one and read it. It broke my heart and was the final straw – I’ve always questioned the ways we gather our food and I just can’t ignore it any more! Sooo THANK YOU!!!!
—NS, 9/14/12

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