1.
How to Be A Citizen Activist
Cliff’s Notes from “Becoming a Citizen Activist” by Nick Lacata

2.
A step-by-step guide to
becoming
politically
active

3.
#1
Vote
and help increase voter turnout

4.
4 ways
to increase voter turn out

5.
Same-day registration
Way #1 to increase voter turn out

6.
Mail-in Ballots
Way #2 to increase voter turn out

7.
More Choices in
Candidates With Public
Funding of Campaigns
Way #3 to increase voter turn out

8.
Put Public Spending on
the Ballot
Way #4 to increase voter turn out

9.
#2
Get informed

10.
4 methods
for getting good information

11.
Seek reports, data and other
information from organizations in other
areas that have been successful in your
cause.
Method #1 for getting good information

12.
National or International Organizations.
Method #2 for getting good information
Find out if there is a national or
international organization that supports
the cause.
Seek information and data from the
organization.
Ask staff at the organization for advice
for gathering data and information.

13.
Gather data for your area.
Method #3 for getting good information
Search online.
Get public records from
government agencies.
Go to the library to get help in
gathering data and information.

14.
Conduct an opinion poll.
Method #4 for getting good information
Use a pollster.
Ask one question.
Gather a random sample.
(Cost for one question is often reasonable)
If using convenience sample, compare to
similar data gathered by a random sample.

15.
#3
Win A Politician
To Champion
Your Cause

16.
5 steps
winning a politician champion

17.
Have a clear message &
plan, and broadcast it.
Step #1 to winning a politician champion

18.
Go to public
hearings and
speak about
your issue.
Step #2 to winning a politician champion

19.
Volunteer & donate to
their campaign – and
only theirs (focus your
efforts).
Step #3 to winning a politician champion

20.
Organize with
other citizen
activists.
Step #4 to winning a politician champion

21.
Push other politicians to
join your champion in
support, especially when
they are running for
office.
Step #5 to winning a politician champion

22.
Once you win your champion:
1. Offer them a leadership role
2. Give them credit for wins (as long as
they are committed to the cause)
Caveat on winning a politician champion

23.
1. Always get a specific commitment each time you meet.
2. Bring the draft legislation with you (in addition to
providing in advance of your meeting).
3. If they need time to review, review the legislation with
them or ask to another appointment to review together.
4. Do not settle for a statement of support. Ask them to
sponsor, second, or co-sponsor.
5. If they refuse to meet with you or to negotiate, picket or
protest them to get their attention.
Trouble shooting for winning a politician champion

24.
#4
Great Media

25.
7 aspects
of media for citizen action

26.
Develop a short but broad mission
Statement that clearly identifies what
needs to be done.
Media aspect #1 for citizen action

27.
Have a great slogan.
Media aspect #2 for citizen action

28.
Have a clear plan of what should be
done, including draft legislation, ready to
go.
Media aspect #3 for citizen action

29.
Publish widely.
Media aspect #4 for citizen action
website
blog
you tube
twitter
infographics
newsletters
facebook (create a group)
hand outs...

30.
Get published widely.
Media aspect #5 for citizen action
Write & publish a book
Write journal articles
Write newspaper opinion pieces
Radio & TV interviews
Newspaper interviews
Magazine interviews

31.
Speak
Media aspect #6 for citizen action
Create speaking events – invite a
keynote speaker
Ask to speak at events
Go to public hearings
Get invited to speak at events

32.
Spread the word.
Media aspect #7 for citizen action
Ensure the media is about your cause,
not personality or ego.
Make is easy for allies to advocate for
the cause.

33.
What to do with bad press:
Media troubleshooting
1. Fully understand opponent’s position,
interests & values.
2. Reply or write letter to the editor (or similar
body) framing your cause.
3. Ask allies to respond as well.

34.
Never lecture.
Media caution
Listen carefully for other’s interests.
Frame the cause to their interests.

35.
The magic recipe to overcoming
government inertia:
Media caveat
Opposing parties agreeing to
a common course of action.

36.
#4
Create a
Citizen
Commission

37.
8 steps
to creating a citizen commission

38.
Step #1 creating a citizen commission
Have a clear plan of what should be
done, including draft legislation, ready to
go.

39.
Step #2 creating a citizen commission
Learn from similar efforts.
Get and share the reports, data
and other information from other
areas that have accomplished the
goal of your cause.

40.
Step #3 creating a citizen commission
Band with the other individual advocates
(like you) who are advocating for the
cause.

41.
Step #4 creating a citizen commission
Create a group and give your group a
name. (“Ad-hoc citizen commission on ___”)

42.
Step #5 creating a citizen commission
Invite
organizations
that are natural
allies to join.

43.
Step #6 creating a citizen commission
Issue advisory statements to legislators
and the media.

44.
Step #7 creating a citizen commission
Hold public forums.

45.
Step #8 creating a citizen commission
Ask a politician to recognize the citizen
commission and officially ask for
recommendations on programs, policies,
appointments etc.

46.
Caution creating a citizen commission
Keep the commission open to people and
organization working for the cause to
ensure it is working on behalf of the
people, and does not get derailed or
become an exclusive club(not democratic).

47.
Caveat on a citizen commission
If a citizen commission or task force will
not listen or is off-course, point to its
shortcomings through the media or use
the threat of public criticism to get their
attention regarding your
recommendations.

48.
#5
Petition

49.
10 steps
for petitions & initiatives

50.
Step #1 for petitioning
Specific Language – Have Model
Legislation.

51.
Step #2 for petitioning
If you goal is to get on the ballot, have the
correct forms and follow the correct
procedure for signatures.

52.
Step #3 for petitioning
Hold regular (weekly) organizing
meetings open to all.

53.
Step #4 for petitioning
Continually gather community-based
support.
Faith-based organizations
Businesses
Schools
Nonprofits
Community Organizations
Authors, Artists, Others

54.
Step #5 for petitioning
Hold a rally (or many). Invite politicians
and other great speakers.
Ask all who attend for specifics:
1.Sign the petition
2.Come to the next demonstration
3.Organize their friends
4.Come to a community organizing meeting

55.
Step #6 for petitioning
Once you have media attention, invite
people to specific places to sign the
petition (online or on the ground).

56.
Step #7 for petitioning
March, Sit In & Demonstrate.
Find creative ways to exercise 1st
amendment
rights to assembly.

57.
Step #8 for petitioning
Have fun at the protests & rallies.
Marathon games
Dancing, singing
Poetry slams
Fun contests (get prizes from supporting businesses)

58.
Step #9 for petitioning
Hold a public hearing.
The citizen’s commission can request the cause’s
champion politician to spearhead the hearing.
Ensure the purpose, venue, time, process are clear and
that there is an experienced facilitator.

59.
Step #10 for petitioning
Introduce legislation to body of law.
Or get it on the ballot, and then continue to raise awareness and gain support.

60.
Once your legislation is adopted.
Advocate for an office or cabinet with full time paid
employees and a budget.
Advocate for advisory role in appointing officials
and determining program, policies and projects.

61.
And Celebrate successes!
little ones and big ones

62.
More tools for social change and a new
economic paradigm at
www.happycounts.org