Many of the MCN’s services are designed for MOs that have a good quality project already in the works, and need assistance in implementation or making it more successful. However, there are other member organizations within the network that are looking for something new to take on.
To address this need, the MCN will offer one or more major campaigns throughout the year. To date, these campaigns have been on legislative advocacy.
In 2009, the MCN organized a campaign to show Senator John Kerry (D-MA), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that there is grassroots support for his efforts to reform U.S Foreign Assistance Policy. MCN MOs collected over 250 handwritten letters, and 2,000 signed postcards to Senator Kerry. The event culminated a rally attended by 700 Boston-area students, which raised $5,000 for the Student Action Grants program.
In 2010, the MCN is planning a much larger campaign to rally students around the MDGs Summit at the United Nations in September, 2010. The campaign, called Commit in September, will include an online petition to President Obama, legislative actions targeted at key lawmakers, and engaging, viral multimedia.
Though the MCN will never mandate that member organization participate in a national campaign, these campaigns will offer proven, centrally-organized options to MOs if they choose to be a part of one.