You've done your research, you know what question you're going to ask the candidate, and you've found the perfect event to attend. But what do you do when you get to the event? Here are the 10 most important tips for making an effective ask at a campaign event.

1. Be Confident

This is an important issue and the candidate will treat the question in that manner. The candidate wants to earn your support and will thus address your question with the seriousness it deserves.

2. Go With Other People

Always plan on going to events with other people who will ask Darfur related questions. Some people can attend in orange Darfur gear, and others can go "undercover," just in case a candidate isn't excited about calling on the "Darfur person" in the orange shirt. While you're at the event, stay in pairs that way one person can ask the question, and the other can person record the candidate's response. Pairs are especially important if you are in a situation where you can't write something down as the person is talking (i.e. one on one with the candidate, diner/rope line/crowd).

3. Write Down Your Question

It is always a good idea to have a question written out before you get there, and you should not be afraid to read from your notes. Reading your question will ensure that you state all of your most important points clearly and concisely. Try to give your question to the candidate or a staffer after the event so that he or she can do any necessary follow up. You may want to bring a few copies for the media as well.

4. Personalize Your Question

Contextualize your question. Make the candidate understand that this is a matter of importance to you and other citizens. i.e. "Mr. Congressman, my church/temple/mosque is concerned about the genocide in Darfur and has worked to raise awareness of it ..." If you can frame the question in a context important to the candidate, you are likely to have a bigger impact on the campaign and the candidate.

5. Have a Plan

Talk with your friends about which question you will ask. If two people from your group get called on, what will the second question be? Arrive early and scope out the setting. If it is a town hall meeting, are there microphones set up? If not, the staff will probably be walking around with mics to give to the person called on by the candidate. Choose a seat where the candidate will be able to see that you have your hand in the air, and where the staff can easily reach you with the microphone. If you have an orange shirt on, sit where the television cameras will capture you on TV. Is the candidate not taking questions? Position yourself near where the candidate will be arriving and/or departing, or where the candidate will be shaking hands and/or talking to people before or after the event. If you are in these areas, you can ask the candidate a Yes/No question while you are shaking his hand.

6. Get Identified As a Supporter

Make the candidate want to call on you. Regardless of if you support the candidate or not, laugh at their jokes, clap and cheer loudly.

7. Let Them Know That You Have a Question

If you are at an event, raise your hand first, fast and high. Sometimes people wait for that first question and then once the ice is broken everyone has a question. Plus, if the candidate knows you have been putting your hand up each time, s/he is more likely to call on you before the end of the questions. If you are at a town-hall meeting, get in line for a microphone early. Make sure that the event organizers know who you are and that you want to ask their candidate a question.

8. Thank the Candidate for Taking Your Question

9. Follow Up

Do not accept a run-around answer. If the candidate did not answer your specific question, ask a follow-up question. "I appreciate your concern and you answer has some good points about the peace process and peacekeepers which are both important, but my question was with punishing those responsible..." If you do not have an opportunity to ask a follow-up question during the event, approach the candidate or a staff member afterwards. Respectfully tell them that they should consider an alternative or give them an extra piece of information. At this point, it is helpful to give your written question as well as your contact information to the staffer so that they can get back to you with a satisfactory answer. Ask if you can email them further information to consider and share with the staff members who help determine policy.

10. Report Back

Make sure other citizens know where this candidate stands on Darfur. Use our website to share your experience and help build our record of candidate responses on Darfur.