What You Can Do

The following content was excerpted from an article contributed by Dr. Christopher D. Hekimian.

Become familiar with Political Processes, and political activities in your area

Learn when government proceedings are to take place. Make make a point of attending and speaking your views. Activate your friends for these purposes too. Remember that you have a voice inside and outside those proceedings, including various forms of media.

Build and maintain a political contact list including e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and mailing addresses. Identify and organize your sources of information so you will be able to act on the information that you obtain and let your voice be heard in the offices of your political representatives.

Learn where you can find the voting records of your representatives at all levels of your government. Learn which politicians are friendly to your values and share this information with your friends.

Become active in your community

Attend community activities. Encourage your friends to participate.

Demonstrate your positions openly through visual signs of support (e.g. bumper stickers, clothing ), open discussion, and active demonstration of your constitutional rights (e.g. demonstrations, engaging the press, organizing, etc.)

Identify the organizations in your community that share your views

Engage with one or more of these groups. Keep apprised of their events and activities. Volunteer! Specify how many hours per month you will set aside for “feet on the ground” grassroots political activities.

Promote worthy grassroots organizations through letters to the editor columns, submitted articles (electronic or print), blogs or press releases.

Identify the Media venues that are available to you to reinforce your message

These include blogs, Letters to the Editor, and radio and call-in shows. Use them to convey your message.

Know how to contact the media that you rely on most. Communicate your advice, opinions and statements of support and appreciation to them.

Identify ways to engage with your local schools to issue a message directly to young people

Become apprised of the public meetings of your local school board and PTAs. Attend meetings with friends and remain involved.

Maintain awareness regarding policies and political activities at schools you have attended and use your status as a community member, potential or current student or benefactor, or alum to register your support or complaints.