A petition is a way to inform the authorities about an issue which is widely protested or opposed in a very effective and non-violent manner. It is also one of the simplest and economical modes of expressing your argument against the unavailability of any basic facilities or grievances about any changes that took place in the School.

  1. Do a Proper Study about the Issue

The first step before initiating a petition is that you have to identify and perceive the issue to its core. You should be aware of minute details, effects, boons, and banes of the cause you are petitioning for and also the reason to why the authorities haven’t addressed the issue yet.

  • The one who is taking up the initiative to start the petition is the one answerable to all the doubts, queries, and suggestions, etc. Make sure that the authorities have the power to actually solve the complaint you are petitioning.
  • You can form a committee and do analyzations, research and collect opinions.
  • A petition without a specific and accurate description of the issue will encounter only a few signers. Hence, start only when you possess a concrete idea, strategy, and clarity.

  1. Consult a Teacher/Official and be Aware of the Regulations 

It is advisable that you talk about the petition to a teacher with whom you are on good terms.

  • This might help in identifying the controversial elements in your argument and also whether this might lead the organizers into obtaining a suspension or expulsion. Always be professional and ethical in formulating the petition.
  • You must be sure that the petition is not paper full of negative statements and that you aren’t offending anybody. Also support from the side of faculties can turn out as a bonus for you and make your petition stronger and chances of its consideration also increase.

  1. Draft the Petition

First, create a sample of the petition. Read other successful petitions or utilize the Internet to search for getting a hang of the right mode of drafting one. The primary thing you have to take into notice is that the petition is drafted in a concise manner including the crucial details and also in a standardized language.

  • Make sure to avoid spelling or grammar mistakes, typos, and dragged sentences.
  • Don’t include emotional elements or threats in the petition which might prove to be a problem for you later. Let other opinions help you with this.
  • Also, don’t give out long essays in the name of petitions, people are busy and they might skip something significant or get disinterested in joining you.
  • Try to come up with a brief, catchy and persuasive description about the complaint you are petitioning against. The short-term goal is chiefly to gather as many signatures as possible so work your draft accordingly.

  1. Spread the Word

Once you come up with the final draft of the petition, determine the mode through which you want to gather the signatures, either online or in-person. Anyways, if not properly carried out, the petition would turn out to be ineffective.

  • While doing it online, send the link to everyone, put it up on School online groups, community or club platforms, etc. In-person, one effective way is to conduct meetings of student representatives or others and deliver the motive and goal of the petition and also how it is going to be beneficial for the students and why they should sign it. Do not fail to make it clear about the seriousness and importance of the issue/petition.
  • Pass it on to your friends and their friends and gradually expand the reach. Once you gain considerable support, then more people are likely to join you.
  • Furthermore, it is advisable to focus on collecting signatures from the people who come under the effect of the petition. Support and signatures from random students are also of great help but do not contribute much in portraying the overall strength of the petition. Pass on the petition to classrooms, generally crowded places.

  1. Hand it Over to the Authorities

After you have collected signatures from all the potential supporters, arrange and coordinate it and turn it up to the officials. Do not forget to take copies of the petitions before handing it over. You might want to approach the vice principal or straight to the principal; this depends on the seriousness of the issue or the way which each of them is likely to handle it.

  • Wait for the response from the official to whom you approached and then if it is a negative one, then move on to more distinguished authorities.
  • If your petition gets denied then gather more student support, draft a stronger and more influencing petition and give a retry.
  • Ensure the trying until you receive a favorable response from the authorities, if it gets denied from one level, go up to higher ones like boards or councils.

TIPS

One suggestion is that you talk about the petition with the principal or any other officials so that they are aware of it and hence might consider this issue and conduct a discussion over it rather than rejecting it at once. This depends entirely upon your choice but makes sure that the entire process and signatures do not turn up to be futile.

How do you write a petition example?

There is also an example paper petition below.
  1. State clearly what change you want to make.
  2. Direct the demand to the right people.
  3. Include accurate information and evidence.
  4. Make sure it is a clear record of people’s opinion.
  5. Write clearly.
  6. Get your timing right.
  7. Get your petition to the right place.

How many signatures does a petition need?

Create or sign a petition that asks for a change to the law or to government policy. After 10,000 signatures, petitions get a response from the government. After 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in Parliament.

Can you start a petition anonymously?

Unlike most political action committees, which often operate clandestinely, most people list their names, though readers can be anonymous and use John and Jane Doe to start petitions. The petition idea fit perfectly into what the Internet can do, since an individual can begin a petition online and circulate it online.