Engage Your Community Reps

Have your children write letters to their Senators and Representatives. It doesn’t have to be long. It can just be a statement of what their concern is, what policy they want the rep to address about it, and an appreciation for representing them. And parents can call the reps, local on up and tell them where you stand on an issue and why you care. Ask them how they’ll vote on the issue. Ask about expanding parks and rec classes. Ask about their votes to support community funding vs. votes for billionaire tax cuts.

Rep Your Engaging Community

Those 3rd spaces (outside home or work/school) are great avenues for organizing learning and action outings. Get with your church, school/PTA, neighborhood, social groups, clubs, etc. to go to a city council meeting or a school board meeting. See real debates and decision-making in action. Review the agenda in advance to understand the key issues, perhaps petition to speak on one.

Put the UNITY in Community

This one is for us and them. Community knowledge breeds community action, so get in the know and talk about what’s going on with your friends and social groups! Tell the stories of victories. Party with a cause. Determine how to use your economic power and what businesses and organizations you’ll support that align with your values. Use your money and time wisely. In organizing action, there are economic resources and moral resources. Economic resources deplete with use, but moral resources grow. Grow!

What We Need from our Leaders

Blitz us with that good legislative language prepared for use in different jurisdictions that addresses our common interests and the common good. A breakdown of which offices need a candidate to get specific outcomes. Strategies on how to combine our collective power. I’d love a vetted list of corporations who advocate for good, so we can support and build together