How to Get Involved in a Grass Roots Campaign

American politics are full of competing interests and it's easy to feel that you don't have a say in how things are run. Whatever your passion, you too can find a voice and be active in politics. Grass roots campaigns are political movements started at a local level around a particular issue. Using the following steps, you can find ways to get involved in a grass roots campaign and make a difference in politics.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. If you have a particular passion or area of interest, do a web search on that topic. Chances are you'll find a group organized around that particular issue that you can join. You can volunteer on the campaign as a fundraiser, letter writer to whatever elected official is being targeted for policy change, recruitment, or other sorts of support.

2. If you can not find an already existing group, consider starting your own.

3. Build your team of fellow enthusiasts and recruit volunteers. Networking is key. Start with people you know, family, friends, or colleagues and ask them to spread the word.

4. Spread the word through fliers, staff a table at a local function like a festival, outside a grocery store or other public place. Educate people about the importance of your issues and get people involved! Create a web presence via blog, virtual meeting discussion group via the web (meetup, yahoo, or another servies).

5. Energize and involve people! Hold meetings for your volunteers and identify ways to advance your political issue. Give volunteers ways to immediately get involved or they might lose interest. Organize letter writing campaigns to elected officials urging change, send emails, pass out fliers, urge others to bring friends along to help and always give your volunteers opportunities to help!

6. Be respectful of all opinions and ideas. Remember, your volunteers are there because they believe in the importance of the issue. Be a leader, someone to inspire others to get involved and take action on this issue. Create a welcoming atmosphere and be enthusiastic.

7. Organize an outreach event. Have a table at a public event like a festival, farmer's market or other event to educate and encourage participation from others. March in a parade, pass out fliers, make signs and stand on street corners for cars to honk and wave when they go by, go meet elected officials, organize voter registration campaigns, write letters to newspaper editors, go door-to-door to talk to people. Whatever activities you do, always invite media to come along for coverage. It's a great way to get exposure for your issue!

8. Get elected officials involved and urge them to change policy in response to your issue. Present relevant data and convince them, via the masses and your campaign efforts, that change in necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Educate yourself on the law so that you are always on the right side of it. Make sure all of your activities are legal and encourage the same from others.

[Desula]

on 3/14/2009 Thanks for the ideas on supporting a grassroots political run. The time is right for independent candidates to step up, no matter how hard the government makes it.