Volunteer as a press representative

There are lots of ways that you can help keep positive stories about vegetarianism in the press, such as writing letters to the editor, or commenting on blogs and social media. However, there are also two very specific ways that you can help with the Vegetarian Society’s press work: by volunteering as a vegetarian case study, or by becoming one of our local press representatives.

Our press office works with the media all over the country, but we can’t be in all places all of the time so we need local representatives to help us have more impact across the media.  We’re looking for people who will:

• Talk to the local press in their area and get them interested in veggie issues. This might mean sending letters to the editor, responding to stories in the press, or encouraging local radio stations to cover vegetarian events and activities in your area.

• Keep their ears to the ground, finding out if any local celebrities or high profile people are vegetarian. Anyone with influence or a public image can help spread the word about vegetarianism, but we need to know who they are.

• Be interviewed about topical or local veggie issues. For example, when the Guardian recently ran a story about the rise in gourmet vegetarian restaurants, BBC Radio Newcastle wanted to talk to a local veggie about what it’s like to eat out as a veggie in Newcastle. They’re not looking for a technical expert, just a vegetarian who can give a personal view.

• Build a bit of local profile for themselves as a friendly veggie expert.

To become a Vegetarian Society Local Press Representative you need:

• To be an experienced and committed vegetarian.

• To enjoy spotting opportunities and making the most of them.

• To feel confident speaking and writing about vegetarian issues.

• To feel comfortable holding back some of your own personal views in order to get the best result for vegetarians as a whole. For example, if you are a vegan you might need to avoid criticising the milk industry in a radio interview for National Vegetarian Week.

• To be contactable by phone and email most days.

• To have a flexible enough day-to-day schedule to fit in an interview at short notice. Journalists are usually as accommodating as they can be, but they work to tight schedules and often want radio interviews to take place live.

As a Vegetarian Society Local Press Representative you will gain:

• Valuable experience working with the media.

• Contacts within your own local media and experience of working with a professional charity Communications team.

• A chance to represent vegetarians in a positive way.

• A surprising amount of recognition from friends and family, who may well start to take your vegetarian lifestyle that bit more seriously.

Vegetarian Society Local Press Representatives are volunteers and do not receive any payment for their time or published articles.  However, we can sometimes cover out of pocket expenses.  If you would like to discuss getting involved in this way, please contact the press office to find out more, press@vegsoc.org or calling 0161 925 2012.