Were thrilled to share that the Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFA) has a fresh new look and a wealth of new resources for community organizers EFF can’t be everywhere and in every fight which is why back in 2016 we committed to building a network with grassroots organizations and made the EFA a critical part of our work Local organizers from within the community are better situated to build support and change in the long term So when civil liberties and digital rights are under threat in your neck of the woods we hope you find or become a local EFA member

After eight very eventful years for local organizing the EFA is going strong with over 70 active groups across the United States To renew our support of the network EFF revamped the look of the EFA and made a number of improvements to our online hub for all things EFA https//efaefforg

But the network is bigger than EFF EFA is composed of its members and relies on dedicated local advocates educators and hackers to help drive the work forward If you’re part of a notforprofit community group we encourage you to apply

JOIN EFA

Defend Digital Rights Locally

What is the EFA

The Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFA) is an informationsharing network of grassroots groups across the United States administered by EFF’s team of organizers All groups are totally independentmeaning no one is obliged to follow EFF’s lead to be supported The result is a network with incredibly diverse beliefs focuses and tactics from hacker spaces developing opensource software tools to community ISPs to student groups hosting surveillance selfdefense workshopsA few things do unify alliance members though All groups must be tied to a local community meaning their work is based in a specific region or institution with meaningful ways for other community members to get involved Groups must also be notforprofit either unincorporated or registered as a nonprofit Finally all member organizations publicly endorse EFA’s five core principles

Free expression People should be able to speak their minds to whomever will listen

Security Technology should be trustworthy and answer to its users

Privacy Technology should allow private and anonymous speech and let users set their own parameters about what to share with whom

Creativity Technology should promote progress by allowing people to build on the ideas creations and inventions of others

Access to knowledge Curiosity should be rewarded not stifled

How EFF supports EFA members

EFF is committed to building and strengthening the EFA network EFF doesn’t bottleneck ontheground activists or parachute into local communities with marching orders Instead we aim to build the network in autonomous and decentralized ways helping build local power through basebuilding and fostering more connections between aligned groups

That’s not to say we stay on the sidelines EFF’s organizers respond to requests from community groups with handson support This includes helping to create an effective local campaign host successful events write a local oped or tackle the administrative headaches faced by new and growing groups We also lend EFF’s platform by promoting local work In short membership comes with an EFF supportline which pending capacity can help make local work more impactful

EFF’s organizing team also brings groups together with a number of memberonly convenings Exclusive EFA videoconferences are hosted every month with talks and workshops from digital rights and organizing experts as well as an opportunity to brainstorm or workshop work with other organizers in the network Organizers also regularly host inperson EFA meetups and socials and will leverage EFF’s network to assist with local networking necessary for coalition work EFF also hosts multiple socials and inperson EFA meetups exclusive to members across the country throughout the year

As an added bonus EFA groups also get discounts on EFF annual memberships unlocking additional exclusive events mailings and member giftsnbsp

New Look Site and Resources

Bringing a new look to the EFA site (and new swag) was the perfect excuse to also extend and update our resources for organizers

Allies Directory

EFF staff meet an endless stream of people frustrated with constant infringements of our rights especially when these intrusions start hitting us at home There are sometimes clear ways to take action when congress or big tech are making bad decisions But what about when it’s in your own backyard

That’s where the EFA allies directory (https//efaefforg/allies) comes in Finding a local group can turn that pent up frustration into action Even if your nearest group has a different focus they’ll be likeminded digital right defenders familiar with other local resources and organizations Our site offers an easy way to filter by state and get a quick introduction to each group and how to best contact them

Organizer Toolkits

While EFF’s organizing team is always eager to help groups grow many groups run into the same hurdles That’s why we’ve prepared several organizer toolkits with evergreen advice for starting and growing a group These include

Organizing events Every event from a regular meeting to hosting a conference requires clear planning and many logistical considerationsSocial media advocacy It can be challenging to make an impact online but with some consistency and helpful tips it can be an effective tool for rallying supportBuilding coalitions with signon letters Approaching decisionmakers with a host of groups supporting or opposing a policy in a signon letter is a powerful advocacy tool If approached carefully it can also serve as a starting point for continued coalition work and support across issuesTraditional media tips Talking to a reporter about your work can be stressful but with the right preparation it helps spread your message and raise your group’s prestigeStudent organizing Students have to navigate a lot of unique and difficult dynamics starting a group maintaining a group and even protesting on campusCommunity agreements Local groups benefit from consensus from event expectations to community guidelines making it clear what behavior is encouraged and what is offlimits This helps groups grow and keep everyone safe

These toolkits are designed to be easily printed and shared and are available at launch in both English and Spanish

Building a Movement Together

The relaunch of the EFA is not just a cosmetic change it represents our renewed commitment to supporting grassroots digital rights advocacy The strength of the EFA network lies in its diversity and the dedication of its members In an era where civil liberties and digital rights are under constant threat a coordinated and wellsupported grassroots movement is essential for addressing the digital rights challenges of today and tomorrow

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So EFF calls on you to get involved Find a local group discuss joining the EFA with your group or even get some friends together to start a new group We need people from all walks of life with a range of experience and expertise to be a part of the work which will shape the future

JOIN EFA

Defend Digital Rights Locally

For more information on how the EFA works and to join the fight please check out our FAQ page or reach out to EFF’s organizing team at organizing[at]efforg Join us in building a future where digital rights are upheld and respected