Start a Vegetarian Group

Are you interested in starting a vegetarian organization? We asked Traci Thomas, director of the Black Vegetarian Society of Georgia and creator of the “How to Start and Promote a Vegetarian Group” tool kit, to share her suggestions and we added a few of our own. These tips will help you get started on a group in your area.

Meet with other interested people:

• Send out an email that says a group in your area is forming and asks interested people to contact you. The email can be sent to info@blackvegetarians.org for posting on the email alert, and to blackveggies@yahoogroups.com (you’ll need to subscribe to blackveggies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com).

• Find out who wants to be on the organizational committee and schedule your first meeting. Consider holding meetings at a local library, school, health food store or cultural center.

• Discuss the purpose of the group, select a name, and begin drafting a mission statement and membership application.

Get these organization essentials right away:

• Post office box

• Tax ID or Tax E.I.N. # (if you want to have a membership organization)

• 501(c)3 application (if you want nonprofit status)

• Voice mail service

• Email account

• Bank account

Spread the word:

• Distribute flyers with organization name and contact information at natural foods stores, vegetarian restaurants, wellness centers, bookstores, natural hair salons and other community places.

• Send email with new contact information to info@blackvegetarians.org and blackveggies@yahoogroups.com.

• Send press releases, public service announcements and calendar announcements to local magazines, and lifestyle and food editors at local newspapers.

• Give radio and television interviews, and submit articles about the group to print media.

• Create a newsletter and web site.

• Table at community venues, including health fairs and cultural and vegetarian events. While there, ask about possible speaking engagements for your organization. Be sure to have membership applications and sign up sheets on hand.

Offer great membership benefits:

• Ask area businesses to extend discounts to your members and compile a list to include in your membership package. Membership packages can also include coupons, recipes, and vegetarian-related quotes or poems.

Host creative events:

• These can include monthly lectures, restaurant visits, potlucks, food prep and cooking classes, book clubs and rap sessions. Events can also coincide with national health awareness months. Check http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp for dates.

   For a copy of the “How to Start and Promote a Vegetarian Group” tool kit, contact Traci Thomas at

   bvsga@yahoo.com.

   Read about local vegetarian groups.