Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social change, political change, economic justice, or environmental well being. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument. You can make a change within the political system.

Political Activism

1. Find your path. Take what matters most to you, know how the government can help you, and what action you plan to take. Create a new law, fix an existing law, or find a spokesperson, such as an elected official for your cause.
2. Choose your jurisdiction. Should you work in your town? state? or nationally? Locally you have better access to your elected officials and that can help create a model for change that applies to bigger areas.
3. Become your own expert. Know your facts. You want to be able to talk about the subject in full detail, and to be a trusted source, so that your opinion is that much more credible.
4. Build a coalition. Have people on your side when you approach elected officials. You want different people rallying around your cause and letting officials know that it’s important.
5. Write your own bill. There are plenty of people whose job it is to create official legal language for an issue. Don’t be afraid to write your own bill so that you have something specific that others can gather support around.
6. Know how to communicate your issue. A large part of this is how you present your issue, like presenting facts that will make a big impact on your audience.
7. Build relationships with staff. Often times, it’s the staffers who help influence decision making about specific issues. Don’t brush them off. Instead work on relationships with the specific staff who work on your issue.
8. Acquire a meeting. It can be difficult to schedule a meeting. It’s important to get in contact with the staff of the office, and show confidence when you call to set up a meeting.
9. Know who you’re meeting with. Know the representative’s record, his/her district, and organize your presentation into five clear minutes. Present an action plan and request specific actions from those who you are meeting.
10. Know the system and its limitations. Working with elected officials is often one of the most effective ways to create change, but you need to know what they can and cannot do to help you. Learn the right process to push your policy.
11. Use different methods. These different methods with provide you with different information on how to approach elected officials as well as the whole lobbying process. This includes fax, and voting scorecards.