#take-action

SIGN THE PETITION!

It’s here!

Then tell everyone else you can to sign the petition as well!

TUMBLR!

The easiest, simplest way to start taking action is to reblog any of the NHL Double Standard posts and tag your friends on it. I suggest this post. The further the news spreads, the more chance of success the campaign has. 

Unfortunately, Tumblr isn’t the platform that the NHL will pay attention to. Please continue down this post to see how else you can make a difference. Twitter, Facebook, letter writing and phone calls are all going to have a large impact. 

To keep up to date on the campaign, make sure to look at and bookmark the timeline page. This page will talk about any and all events and dates linked to the NHL Double Standard such as letter writing parties, phone call banks, Twitter parties and other information. 

If you make your own posts about the NHL Double Standard on Tumblr or any other platform, make sure to tag the NHL Double Standard or let us know that you did and we’ll like/reblog/spread the message!

TWITTER!

Twitter has been shown to be one of the most impactful social media platforms for activism, and it’s definitely here that we can make an impact. 

To do so, tweet at the NHL, retweet what we post on the NHL Double Standard Twitter (@NHL2Standard), and create your own tweets to help your followers know what you’re doing and why. Let them know about the petition.

Make sure to tag the NHL Double Standard account so that we can retweet and like your tweets. 

If you don’t know what to say/tweet, skim this post to ensure your messaging and timing is on point. Included in the post are suggested tweets to help get your juices flowing and some graphics. 

If you have any suggestions or tweets you’d like to add to the post, please let us know!

FACEBOOK!

Facebook is a great way to get more people involved and reach even more people. 

Post on the NHL Facebook Page and let the NHL know that you are upset about the actions it took against Getzlaf. (Or lack thereof.) 

Also make sure to spread the word about the NHL Double Standard and the petition! While it’s encouraged you make your own posts, also share, like and invite friends to like the NHL Double Standard Facebook Page. 

The more people who get involved, the more chance we have of success!

Here is a small primer on Facebook comments and posts. It includes timing suggestions as well as graphics and post/comment examples. 

SEND A LETTER!

This letter writing campaign will target Colin Campbell, who spoke on behalf of the NHL about its choice to fine Ryan Getzlaf. (Campbell didn’t say anything about the change in disciplinary actions after the precedent was set last year with Andrew Shaw!) 

Letter writing campaigns are tradition in getting your voice heard, and while social media is great, showing the NHL that we’re willing to donate resources (printing paper, writing a lot, buying stamps, going to the post office...) to the cause goes a long way.

I encourage you to write your own letter. However, if you’re stumped on what to write or don’t have time to write a letter: here’s one already written up. 

If you have a picture of you/family/friends wearing anything NHL related, put that in the letter too. It shows the NHL that you are definitely a fan, a real person, who is upset about what’s happened. 

If you are just using the drafted letter, try and scrawl in one or two handwritten notes to make it more personal. 

Make sure to tag us in photos on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr of you and your letter before you send it.

CALL!

We don’t know for sure that the NHL is going to read our letter; we don’t know if the NHL is going to read our tweets, but the League definitely can’t not pick up a phone. By calling in and filing a complaint with the NHL, you are taking up their time and forcing them to listen. 

The NHL’s number that we found was: 800-559-2333

*ring-a-ding-ling*

Here’s a quick run through of talking points and other things to keep in mind when talking. Make sure to stay polite and calm. Shouting helps no one. 

When you call, let them know who you are (ex. John Smith, living in Kentucky, fan for a bazillion years) and that you want an explanation for the NHL not adhering to the disciplinary precedent previously set for players who use slurs on ice. 

Mention the NHL Double Standard as well, so that they know this is a group effort.

OTHER! Of course, if anything is missing/you want to add something/you want to get more involved with the NHL Double Standard, let us know! The more the merrier!! 

Please also let us know if you’re organizing your own letter writing/call-in events/tweetathons/whatevers. We’ll put them on the timeline so others can take part.

CONTACTING PLAYERS!

Number for the NHL: 

(800) 559-2333 

The number is technically for NHL.tv, but don’t worry, I’ve been told messages will get to the place they’re needed eventually. I pressed 5 for the billing people and explained my problem, which had nothing to do with billing. Kathryn was very nice and took note and said to email them at [email protected] so they can follow up. 

What to Mention On the Call: 

That you’re not calling about billing or whatever number you pressed, but you’d like to talk to them about the inconsistent disciplinary actions taken against players who use homophobic slurs. 

Your name, where you are from, how long you’ve been a fan for

Ask if you can speak to Colin Campbell or at least leave him a voicemail (You will probably be rejected.)

Say why you are calling: you want an explanation as to why Getzlaf wasn’t suspended with the precedent for him to be suspended was set last year with Shaw. 

If an explanation can’t be made, you want an apology from the NHL on its oversight and a promise from it to not let this happen again

You are reaching out as part of the campaign The NHL Double Standard 

Ask for an email so that you can send them more information about the campaign. 

Then make sure you follow up immediately and send them an email restating everything. We also have a formal letter here you can use.

What to Remember: 

Shouting doesn’t help 

Stay polite and kill them with kindness

You might be put on hold, so have something to do while you’re waiting

Take down the name of the person, so if you can again you can mention having talked to them