Real change requires more than rallies and marches. Here, we aim to inspire and empower you with knowledge and tools to make Good Trouble in your community.
TOOLS FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy (full course)
*currently offered as a free audit course through Harvard X
Why Civic Engagement Matters
A strong democracy depends on active participation by its citizens. This participation leads to a more responsive and effective government, elected officials that are held accountable for their actions, and policies that more closely reflect the needs and values of the community. Engaged citizens will exchange ideas and invest in solutions to address the issues facing their communities. This engagement creates personal empowerment by giving people a voice in what goes on in their communities.
Thomas Ehrlich, author of Civic Responsibility and Higher Education, offers the following definition:
“Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes….
A morally and civically responsible individual recognizes himself or herself as a member of a larger social fabric and therefore considers social problems to be at least partly his or her own; such an individual is willing to see the moral and civic dimensions of issues, to make and justify informed moral and civic judgments, and to take action when appropriate.”
See below for numerous ways that you can increase your civic engagement:
Brush up on your civics education
Let’s face it. It has been a number of years since many of us took a civics class. There are some great self-paced online courses that will strengthen your knowledge base and better prepare you to engage meaningfully in discussions and decisions about governmental policy. For the serious learners, Harvard is currently offering many of their online courses in this space at no charge, including the video linked above. See also: American Government: Constitutional Foundations. Browse their course catalogue for more!
Call or write your representatives
Check out Common Cause to quickly access all of your representatives with contact information: https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
Use the 5 calls app to quickly find relevant legislation and suggested talking points. Contact information is provided: https://5calls.org
Join the League of Women Voters Unite & Rise 8.5 Campaign, which aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration.
Drop by the Olmsted DFL office on Tuesday afternoons for 1:1 help with talking points on key issues: Letter Writing & Issues Training
Get involved Indivisible 507, and get help to coordinate calling and writing campaigns on various local issues
Encourage voter registration and turnout
There are many groups working to ensure that eligible voters are registered and know when and where to vote. Get involved with one or more of these groups to ensure a high turnout at the polls. Especially work to lend a hand with historically disenfranchised populations.
Key voting information from MN Secretary of State: https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/get-involved/voter-registration-drives/
The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy: https://www.lwv.org/voting-rights
When We All Vote, created by Michelle Obama, is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap: https://whenweallvote.org/takeaction/volunteer/resources/
Rock the Vote is the most trusted and effective nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people: https://www.rockthevote.org/get-involved/
Black Voters Matter works to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities: https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/
Native American Voting Rights Coalition works to protect the voting rights of Native Americans: https://vote.narf.org/
Asian Americans Advancing Justice works to eliminate discriminatory barriers to voting for Asian Americans: https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/
Voto Latino is a civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters: https://votolatino.org/
Get involved in local politics. Attend meetings and stay engaged. Volunteer for a board/commission, or run for office!
Check out the public meeting calendars and agendas for the city of Rochester: https://www.rochestermn.gov/meetings
Check out the public meeting calendars and agendas for Olmsted County: https://olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal
See open positions on boards and commissions for the city of Rochester: https://www.rochestermn.gov/government/boards-commissions
See open positions on boards and commissions for Olmsted County: https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/volunteer-opportunities/view-available-volunteer-board/commission-positions
Considering a run for office?? Check out Run For Something. This organization exists to help new progressive leaders — at all stages of their journey — helping them run efficient, strategic, grassroots, driven campaigns while feeling supported throughout the process. https://runforsomething.net/