The first step in Adopting a Dealer is to schedule a meeting with the
owner of the dealership you have adopted. This first meeting should be simply a discussion between community members and the dealer regarding the vehicles that the community would prefer to see available. The goal of the meeting is to get the dealer to sign a letter that will be sent to automakers' headquarters. This letter is an opportunity for the dealer to use his or her unique influence to participate in the growing movement to break our oil addiction. The demands are simply that automakers dramatically increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles.

Give it some time. Offer the dealer two weeks to make a decision whether to sign the letter. Make clear that you expect a response and that you will be back to learn their decision. If the dealer decides to sign the letter and support the demands, you’ve scored a victory!

If the dealer decides not to sign the letter, further actions are in order. Although the dealer is not actually working for automakers, the dealership is enabling them to continue America’s oil addiction by selling the company’s vehicles. Since the dealership has decided not to join the effort for a more safe and secure future, it’s your job to hold the dealership accountable for its decisions and take the campaign to the next level. Check out these Action Ideas to see what you should do next.

The Adopt-a-Dealer Pack (pdf) gives you everything you need to start organizing in your own community – talking points, action ideas, and sample letters. Get yours now and start organizing!  Download the Action Pack here.