INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT
The
Woodstock Preservation Alliance was an internet-based
organization, and our website was the dominant factor and most
powerful tool in increasing public awareness.
It
was our voice to the world. Visitors to the WPA website were
provided with the most current, comprehensive information
regarding the issues and efforts that were underway, and were
also invited to become active members/supporters of our cause.
Linked with other websites, we were able to draw the interest
and attention of a world-wide audience. On a smaller scale, WPA
members set out to do their part by bringing these issues to
their localities. Whether it was letter writing, placing a
telephone call, circulating the petition, or talking to
neighbors - all efforts helped in this endeavor.
Save the Woodstock Site
was our signature logo. Thousands of prints on flyers, business
cards, stickers, and t-shirts were widely distributed. Flyer
availability at the Woodstock Site, stickers placed on all
pieces of mail, and business cards handed out liberally - helped
to aid in the promotion of the website and the preservation
cause.
In addition
to our team of petition circulators soliciting signatures on a
personal level, the WPA website served as an international
access to this document, and was supplemented by public petition
outlets such as petitions.com. Other avenues included more local
forums, such as e.thePeople, which hosted our petition and
submitted the signatures to the Governor.
The
"Increase Public Support"
letter was, in effect, a “chain
letter”. Mass e-mailing was decided against, with caution used
to avoid the perception of spam. The WPA membership and
supporters were encouraged to circulate this information via
e-mail to names in their address books.
In 1969, "underground" radio played
their part in promoting the Woodstock Festival, and 34 years
later we called upon them to "do it again". Letters were sent to
many non-commercial radio stations requesting their help in
providing information to the public regarding the development of
the historic land where Woodstock happened, and to the ongoing
efforts to preserve it.
With the use
of state funds in the Bethel Woods project, the
"Remember Woodstock?"
flyer was directed primarily at New York State residents. Using
a good old fashioned stamp, this flyer accompanied by our
press release of 6 Feb 2003,
was mailed to hundreds of media outlets and college newspapers
across New York State.
Information updates were summarized in
newsletters and e-mails, which were forwarded to all members and
supporters, and also available on the website.
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