Welcome, Volunteers.

Let’s Collect Signatures!

This page is only for volunteers who have signed up.
If you haven’t yet, please do that here.

The basics -

  1. Read and sign this training sheet. Then email it to savedowntownmenlo@gmail.com or put it in the green envelope in the 2nd floor conference room at Draeger’s. Once you’ve done that, pick up your own petition from the box next to the green envelope and write your name on the bottom margin.

  2. Print this cheat sheet with key things to know and sample script.

  3. Choose your time slots to collect signatures in front of Draeger’s. We need to staff it 7 days a week, 9am-6pm. Please schedule yourself on this calendar. Each time slot is one hour - but if you can, please schedule shifts of at least 2 hours by selecting multiple time slots in a row - then repeat for each day. If you can’t make it, please cancel. Prioritize time slots that have 2 spots available.

  4. Once you fill up your petition (or come close), fill out the disclaimer in the bottom box on the last page, and return it to the green folder in Draeger’s conference room and grab a new blank petition from the box.

Key things to know:

  1. Signers must be registered to vote in Menlo Park - ask them first.

  2. You must witness the petition being filled out directly by the signer.

  3. Writing must be legible. Signature must be done with care - it will need to match their signature on record.

  4. Signers may NOT use a P.O. Box for their address

  5. You can’t say anything misleading or false about the initiative, so if you are not sure, say you’re not sure and recommend they see the website for more info. SaveDowntownMenlo.org

  6. You may give your opinions, but do not pressure or debate. We are getting signatures from supporters, not trying to convert opponents.

  7. If someone wants to read the initiative first, you must let them.

  8. If someone asks you if you are a volunteer, tell them.

  9. If someone asks whose funding the campaign, say the campaign is raising money from a range of residents and businesses. Encourage them to donate on our web site.

  10. If someone is uncertain as to whether they are registered to vote, let them sign, and encourage to check their registration status right away.

  11. People are allowed to film you. Politely ask them to stand back if they are too close.

  12. Never leave your petitions unattended or lying around. Take them home until you are finished, and then return to to the green envelope.

Sample Script

Hi! Do you live in Menlo Park?

If No: “Okay, thanks, have a nice day.”

If Yes:

Do you know about the plan to put high density housing into the downtown parking lots?

If No:

The City is currently planning to declare 3 of the parking lots as surplus land so that developers can put high-density housing. The businesses hate this idea, and residents have been overwhelmingly opposed to it. And yet the City Council keeps moving forward with it. The latest step was to issue Requests for Proposals from developers.

If Yes:

We’re trying to get a measure onto the ballot which would require that any change in use of the parking lots be first approved by a vote of the people of Menlo Park. This way residents can decide rather than the City Council.

We need signatures from 10% of Menlo Park’s residents to get it on the ballot.

If supportive:

Great! Please print your name and address legibly and sign here. Please spread the word.

If not supportive:

Thanks, have a nice day.  (It’s okay to give your opinion politely, but if you get into a discussion, it will distract you from getting signatures from other people.)