I’ve seen so much advice lately about the most effective way to advocate for your favorite issues. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I decided to boil it all down into a few easy steps.
Basically, what all advocacy advisers (Indivisible Guide, MoveOn to name a couple) tell you is to get off social media and into the real world, where your voice can be better heard.
You see, most Congresspeople are focused on one major thing – reelection. So if their constituents are telling them how they feel, they listen. But you need to tell them in the most effective way – this means talking directly to their staffers on the phone.
If you can’t get a person, the next best thing is to leave a message, and then after that, the next best thing is to leave a comment on their website. You can also write a letter or postcard to their office. Just commenting on social media doesn’t get the job done.
So, to take action, you must pick up your phone, and then put on your comfortable shoes. Let’s break it down into three steps. Ready? Here we go…
Pick up your phone DAILY:
This one is so easy, it’s really a no-brainer. It’s a bit intimidating at first, but I promise you’ll get used to it and soon your opinions will be rolling off your tongue with the eloquence of Elizabeth Warren. Even if your representatives and senators are voting the way you’d like them to, the way mine usually do, call anyway! Thank them for their votes, thank them for staying on top of the issues, and urge them to do more.
Bernie Sanders told my mom recently that he values and needs the input from everyone. Even if people agree with him, he wants to hear from them because he keeps records of each call and can then back up his votes and his speeches on the Senate floor with data about what his constituents want.
Find your Senators’ and Representatives’ phone numbers by calling 202-225-3121, downloading 5calls, using ResistBot, or going to https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. Then put them on speed dial, and try to call at least a few times a week if not daily. Always try to speak to someone directly, and if you have a personal connection to the issue, share it. Always give your name, town and zip code so you can be counted for your district. Not sure what issue to talk about? Check my twitter feed where I share topics for calls regularly.
Put on your comfy shoes and get out t
here:
Town halls, marches and congressional office visits – these are the visible actions that are getting attention. There are places all over the country where you can get out and join people who are advocating – you just have to find them. Great places to enter your zip code and search for these gatherings include:
Sierra Club – sign up for text alerts about actions in your area
MoveOn – sign up for text alerts for actions in your area
Most important of all, join us at the March for Science on April 22, and at the People’s Climate March on April 29. These are can’t-miss events if you care about the issue of Climate Change!
Join an advocacy group:
The Sierra Club has a great local chapter that you can join and volunteer for. Sign up to receive legislative news, advocacy alerts and to join in your local group’s events. From here, you can branch out and learn about other groups in the area, but I think your local Sierra Club chapter is the best place to start:
Please share your experiences with me and let me know what kind of advocacy you’ve done. If you know of great climate advocacy groups in the DC area, or events we need to participate in – please share them as well!
Now let’s get out there and fight!!
For some basic facts and an overview of the science behind climate change, read my post Basic Climate Change Math and What you Can Do About It. Also, check out my post about ways you can help fight climate change in your daily life.
