Meeting Minutes from June 4, 2025
- indivisiblestjohns
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
Welcome
Susan Parker gave a short overview of the development and mission of Indivisible St Johnsbury and welcomed new people.
Reading
Brendan Hadash opened with an inspirational reading
Get to Know Each Other (in pairs)
We broke into pairs and each spent 2 ½ minutes introducing ourselves to our partners.
Susan Parker's Update on the National Indivisible meeting in Washington, DC
The opposition movement is big and joyful and growing.
That is what solidarity and commitment and courage looks like. Erica Chenoweth’s research shows that no regime has withstood sustained resistance actions from 3.5% of people. That’s a reachable number. Authoritarian regimes are not invincible.
What is happening in this moment.
We are in a time of authoritarian breakthrough. This is a short window in which a would be authoritarian regime attempts to rapidly consolidate power, eliminate checks on their power and operate with impunity.
Where we need to go — Overview
Over time we must rebuild that sense of belief in our collective power. When we unlock that we have won. This is a powerfully historical moment where we need to relearn that lesson.
Reversing the Momentum: a Strategic Imperative
Demonstrate mass, visible, and sustained defiance. Create uncertainty about the regime’s long-term viability. Strategically pressure key institutions.
Closing
Our number one mission is to build this 3.5% number. Our solitary goal is stopping authoritarianism. We can stop authoritarianism before it takes hold.
Poster-Making Tips from Graphic Comms Pro Keith Chamberlain
Providing full notes – great advice and we have a big demonstration on 6/14
Being at a rally with sign is 90% of the work. The gesture speaks for itself, and don’t want to step on anyone’s creativity. But... here are some thoughts on messages and techniques if you want to be seen and acted on.
Messages
Who is the audience?
Most signs are only readable by those at the rally.
Patriotic motifs are ideal: Red white and blue, stars and bars
Counters myth that progressives are not sufficiently patriotic
Try to be “positive.” Avoid off-putting language or messages -- some are really funny but off-color and provocative can alienate those we’re trying to reach
Keep in mind some causes have a more universal appeal
Economic messages: Social security, health care.
No coincidence that the turn out after “liberation” day was so strong.
Ultimately... do viewers see themselves affected by an issue?
Harder to get traction for issues like immigrant rights or due process
Shorter is better. 1-3 words is optimal, but hard!
Resist
No Kings
Hands Off
And how big should my lettering be?
As big as possible - 4-6"
Rhymes and alliterative slogans are stickier
"Trump lies, Democracy dies"
"Save Social Security"
Symbols can stand alone
An American flag is an ideal “sign”
The “No Kings” icon
No need to read!
Materials and Techniques
Two basic techniques:
Draw/write directly on a material
Glue stuff onto a material: cut outs, letters, photos, digital outputs
Have access to a printer? Very helpful!
Stuff to make signs on
Foamcore: Staples, Framing Format
Self-Adhesive Foamcore. Solves adhesive problem
Corrugated plastic. Scraps at sign shops such as Sign Depot (Used for lawn signs)
Corrugated cardboard
Other materials:
Adhesive letters: Staples, hardware store (for mailboxes)
Fat markers
Metal edge rulers
Exacto or sheet rock knives
Fat glue sticks, less messy than sprays
Ambitious? Output lawn signs
If you can make a PDF (Canva, MSWord, Google Docs) you can get outputs
18x24" is standard, other sizes available.
On corrugated plastic.
$7.85 each, 6-8 day turnaround; $2.50 if you order 50
More for two-sided or rush
Order with metal lawn stake and reuse
No Kings Signs
It is powerful to have common messages at themed marches (e.g., Hands Off)
We have tiled PDF of national graphic you can print
Makes a 14 x 16, you can make smaller
Cut inside corners, mount on board using glue stick, then trim out all
