We The People Panel Discussion Guide: Unite, Inform, Act

 

Plan Like a Patriot

Give yourself at least a month to organize your panel. This gives you time to rally top-tier speakers, spread the word to your community, elected officials, and local media, and, if in-person, secure a venue that screams “We The People.” Plan early to ensure your event has maximum impact.

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Assemble Your Truth-Tellers

Pick no more than two speakers who can fire up the crowd with bold, unique perspectives. They should know the issue—whether it’s plastic pollution or another fight—inside and out. Lock them in early with calendar invites and confirm they’re committed. Mix local and non-local voices if virtual, but keep it tight to give each speaker time to shine.

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Gather Speaker Cred

Request short bios and high-quality headshots from your speakers to fuel your promos. If they’re on social media, grab their handles to amplify the event. Follow up relentlessly if they’re slow to deliver.

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Choose a Fearless Moderator

Your moderator is your rally captain—pick someone who commands the stage, speaks concisely, and knows the issue cold. Whether it’s a local activist or a We The People team member, ensure they’re ready to steer the discussion with grit and clarity.

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Rally RSVPs Online

Set up an online RSVP system—Action Network, Facebook, or Zoom—to track attendance and build your patriot email list. For virtual events, let folks submit questions for speakers in advance to kickstart the conversation. Curate these questions to ensure they’re sharp and relevant.

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Prep Your Moderator for Battle

Share speaker bios and pre-submitted questions with your moderator. Review them together and have them draft opening remarks to share with you beforehand. Ensure they’re ready to keep the discussion on point and inspiring.

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Craft Bold Visuals

Use Canva to create a patriotic flier (8” x 11”) and social media graphics (1200 x 628 for X/Twitter, 1080 x 1080 for Instagram). Make them eye-catching, with bold colors and a clear call to action that screams “We The People.”

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Spread the Word Like Wildfire

Blast your event on local event calendars, in newspapers, and across social media. Invite local elected officials and ask allied groups to share with their networks. Post repeatedly on X, Instagram, and Facebook, and create a Facebook event to rally the troops. Don’t hold back—promote like the future depends on it.

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Invite the People’s Representatives

Reach out to local elected officials—they might send staff or even join as a speaker. If you invite one as a panelist, hustle to get a big turnout. A small crowd sends the wrong message, so aim high.

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Map Out the Battle Plan

Create a “run of show” with plenty of time for Q&A. Assign a moderator and, for virtual events, a tech wrangler. Have speakers and the moderator prepare their key points in advance. Add an interactive element like a poll for virtual events. Here’s a sample:

• 6:00 PM: Moderator and tech team arrive, test setup.

• 6:15 PM: Moderator welcomes patriots, sets the stage.

• 6:20–6:35 PM: Speaker 1 delivers.

• 6:35–6:50 PM: Speaker 2 delivers.

• 6:50–7:15 PM: Q&A with audience.

• 7:15–7:20 PM: Moderator wraps up, calls to action.

• 7:20 PM: Event ends.

 

Rehearse for Victory

Schedule a practice run a few days before with your moderator, speakers, and tech team (if virtual). For in-person events, visit the venue to check WiFi, parking, and access. Have speakers share any slides in advance to avoid tech hiccups.

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Call in the Press

Send a media advisory to local reporters a few days out—search online for templates. Make your event a must-cover story for the people’s media.

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Send Relentless Reminders

People are busy, so hit them with reminders: one week before, one day before, and the day of. For in-person events, include clear directions and a map link (e.g., Google Maps).

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Bring Visual Firepower

For in-person panels, deck out the space with signs, banners, or props that scream “We The People.” Host a sign-making party with volunteers or create downloadable designs for attendees. If you host often, invest in a reusable banner (look for WTP -centric options and share any finds with us!).

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Record the Fight

Record your panel—virtual or in-person—for those who can’t attend. Use Zoom’s record button for virtual events or assign someone to film in-person with a smartphone or camera. Livestream via X, Facebook, or Instagram if possible. Test WiFi in advance and pick a spot near an outlet for your camera person. Let attendees know you’re recording.

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Make It Accessible

For virtual panels on Zoom, enable Live Transcription for free captioning to include hearing-impaired patriots. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. If your audience needs more, assign a fast-typing volunteer to transcribe, though keeping up is tough without a pro.

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Follow Up with Fervor

After the panel, email attendees and panelists to thank them, share the recording link, and list ways to stay in the fight. Search online for follow-up email templates you can tweak.

 

Get Feedback from the People

Include a short survey in your follow-up email to hear what worked, what didn’t, and what your audience cares about. Find sample surveys online to adapt.

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Regroup and Plan the Next Battle

Meet with your team within 2–3 days (ideally the next day) to debrief. Discuss wins, losses, and survey feedback. Take notes and review them before your next event to keep building a stronger movement.