Do you know about Civic Engagement Beyond Voting? It's a great way to get info and advocate on issues in AZ

[Attilatheblond]

If you are in AZ, THIS is a great place to start when looking for ways to dig in: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting https://www.cebv.us/]

Why State Politics?
Virtually all the experiences in your daily life are affected by local government - from roads and local services to criminal justice, bodily autonomy, individual privacy, funding public institutions and schools, and so much more. 95% of the nation's legal action occurs in state courts. You think "I don't do politics?" Think again: politics is simply the business of everyday life in our communities.

Civic Engagement Beyond Voting is nonpartisan, but not neutral. We support progressive values and seek democratic change. From school boards to city council, all the way up to the state legislature, it's up to all of us to make sure our government reflects our needs and values. Don't stay on the sidelines - join us!

Learn about using 'Request to Speak' methods and opportunities to let elected officials know how you feel on specific issues. You don't even have to actually speak. In most instances, written comments can be sent electronically and read into the record of most AZ legislative bodies during the public comments portion of public proceedings, like the state legislature and your local county supervisor meetings. Make your voice heard! Might be scary at first, but dip your toe into the pool of public participation. You will probably find 'the water is fine'. Many public meetings of government bodies can be attended remotely thru apps like Zoom Meetings. Check your local county government for links & how-to information. If your schedule prevents you from attending meetings in real time, some counties have video replays available. Check your city and county government sites.

Learn about advocacy. Become an advocate. It can be short and sweet actions, or you can find ways to make impact thru deeper methods of engagement in some policy decisions.

If you are in Arizona, THIS is probably the best place to start on your adventure to learn and influence on issues that matter to you and yours.

If anybody knows of such groups or clearing house sites for issue information in other states, PLEASE post links to such sites in General Discussion and state forums. Perhaps we can compile an index of such groups by state.

[pat_k]

1. Wonderful book on the power of Citizen Lobbyists

Lobbying for Change: Find Your Voice to Create a Better Society
Alberto Alemanno

https://www.amazon.com/Lobbying-Change-Create-Better-Society/dp/1785782851

[Attilatheblond]

2. Excellent recommendation and link!

Thank you, pat_k!

Let's keep piling on resource links, friends.

Those of us in AZ know there is still a lot of GOP players who aren't as ethical as the GOP people who came out for Harris/Walz, We need to make sure they hear us, and that other voters hear how the GOP legislature here makes so many bad choices against the greater good.

[pat_k]

3. AZ is one of the 8 states allvotingislocal.org efforts are focused

At this juncture, election protection efforts are as critical as GOTV and reaching voters. For example:

https://allvotingislocal.org/
Efforts focused in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

A couple other election protection orgs here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19325356

And the mobilize.us site is a bit of a one stop shop to search for various types of people-power driven activities. The drop-down of organizations is a good place to scan for a variety of groups (warning: very long). Activities are generally election focused now, but many of these organizations spearhead other types of community organizing year round.

And https://citizensclimatelobby.org/ has local chapters across the country and provides great DIY materials for citizen lobbyists on climate change.

And of course, right now there are phone banks, letter writing, social media training, and other activities to be found on the Harris/Walz site. More on that here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219320017

[Attilatheblond]

4. GREAT links! Keep 'em coming folks

Bookmark these things, folks! Share the links, but one or two in your social media signature lines!

And, pat_k , please consider putting this info in an OP in General Discussion so we get the info out to friends in other states!

[pat_k]

5. Have done before and will do periodically.

Perhaps nostalgia is coloring my memory, but it seems to me that "back in the day" (early to late 2000's), there were more efforts to organize, encourage specific actions, and generally connect to mobilize on DU. For example, people posting letters they wrote to editors that prompted others to do the same, email and faxes to elected officials, and so on, with a peak being the effort to lobby for an objection to the Ohio electors. It was wonderful to meet so many DU'ers in DC before 01/06/05

[Attilatheblond]

6. It's good to remind people. Things have been SO harrowing in the past several years we can all lose track of links

Your nostalgia serves a great purpose now. Everything old is new again (except Trump lol)

Good idea for us all to dust off the old toolkits, update links that have changed. Share Share Share!

Working together, online or in real life, goes a long way to lessen the feelings of isolation and helplessness that hit many good people. It's so easy to let the mountain of work overwhelm any of us into depression and lethargy. It is what the GOP and the Big Money behind them are counting on. They want us to just STFU, give up, and take it. NO! We won't let that happen.

WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN. We will keep each other going and then we will celebrate the teams we have built.

And we each must practice self care to stay useful. Years ago, I read a comment comparing a choir to efforts to get hard things done, while knowing we each need to rest a bit from time to time. The commenter pointed out that sometimes a piece of music requires a choir to hold a note for a long time. But people do need to take a breath too. It's OK, take a breath, you're in a choir and others will hold the note while you grab some air. And you will help hold the note when others need to breathe too.

That musical reference to the mechanics of getting the tough things done has been a help to my personal well being and efforts for years now. Hope others see the wisdom of being in a group that will have your back when you need to take a breath. Plus, we meet great people and that restores us too. Teammates are good to have. Many teammates become friends in life. Nothing beats that!