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If we’re going to protect Internet freedom for good, we’ll need a movement of millions to do it.

That’s why we at Free Press are organizing the Summer of Internet Freedom. We believe that support for the principles in the Declaration will help bring about more free expression, more innovation and truly open societies.

We all have a stake in this. So it’s essential for Internet users around the world to read the Declaration, remix it and make it their own.

But to create big and lasting change we need ... well ... change. As in the change clinking around in pockets and stuck under couch cushions.

That’s why we’d be grateful if you could “pass the hat” at your Internet freedom event to help raise money for Free Press. We don’t take a cent from business, government or political parties and rely on the generosity of individual donors to power our work. Please consider asking your event attendees to donate to the cause, and also feel free to toss a few coins of your own our way. And know that every amount counts — we’re not looking for you to raise millions (though we wouldn’t say no to that!).

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Share with your attendees — in real, tangible ways — why you care about the open Internet and why you’re standing alongside Free Press in support of Internet freedom. Here are a few ideas for conversation starters:

  “I know we’re all frustrated about the rising cost of broadband access and the lack of choice when it comes to cable companies ... ”

  or

  “If there were no Internet freedom, I never could have started my own business. But there are so many threats to the open Internet that I worry about my business’ future.”

  or

  “I worked hard to stop SOPA earlier this year, but it’s time to fight for something. Our generation lives online, and it’s our way of life, and it’s our way of expressing ourselves. We have to protect that.”

• Ask attendees to help support Free Press’ work to protect the open Internet. Try to be concise and motivating. For example:

  “Free Press is working for our Internet freedom. They rely on contributions from people like us to keep their work going and don’t take funds from business, government or political parties. Could you kick in $5 to help them out? I’m collecting donations today and will send them in first thing tomorrow — but you can also make a secure donation online if that’s more your thing.

  Go to freepress.actionkit.com/donate/freepress_donations/ using your phone now or your computer when you get home.”

• Prepare. Some people might say “no.” That’s perfectly fine! Expect people to want to contribute, but don’t take it personally if they don’t.

• Collect. You can pass a hat, basket or bowl around to collect donations or direct folks to freepress.actionkit.com/donate/freepress_donations/ so they can make a contribution on their phones.

• Return the donations to Free Press. If you collect cash donations, please mail a check payable to Free Press for the total amount to Free Press, 40 Main St., Suite 301, Florence, MA 01062. Include a note with your first and last name and mailing address and let us know that you participated in an Internet freedom event so we can be sure to thank you. And please tell us how the fundraising discussion went. How did people respond to your ask for a donation? Any other ideas for how we can do it better next time around? You can also email your reflections to declaration@freepress.net.

  THANK YOU!