How to be an Engaged Citizen

How do you make time to participate in local, state, and federal government policy when you’re shuffling between work, school, family, and everything else? Over the next five weeks we will share tips on “How to be an Engaged Citizen.”  

Participation doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. There are many simple things you can do to uplift your community and the people in it, some of which require little to no effort. 

• Stay up to date on (local) politics: Do you know who is making decisions in your city and state? Stay informed by reading the local paper, following key officials on social media, and talking to your neighbors about what you want to see in your community.

• Don’t Hesitate to Ask: If you have questions for your elected officials, reach out to them! They are elected to represent you and its important they share information. They expect accountability after their election. Don’t be afraid to be an active part of their tenure year-round, just as you expect them to play an active part in your community every day they serve.

• Small acts go a long way: Volunteer with  organizations doing work you care about, including charities and with people doing important work in your community.   Whether you walk shelter dogs every weekend, sign online petitions, or pick up trash you see polluting your street, every little bit makes a big difference.

• Vote! Every few years we have the chance to make our voices heard. It may not feel impactful when your candidate of choice loses but as we have seen in close elections all over the country, some decided by as little as a single vote, every single vote counts. You never know when you will be the difference maker that shifts your entire community in a more positive direction.

• Watch your Environmental Footprint: No one wants to live in a dirty community. Keeping a place clean and healthy is everyone’s responsibility. Do your part by reducing plastic waste, buying recyclable products, shopping with re-usable grocery bags, using more energy efficient appliances in your home, and never littering.

• Pursue the issues you care about: If you are passionate about a problem, whether it is political, personal, or somewhere in-between, start making the world a better place by spending your time addressing it. You will be amazed at how powerful you can be by focusing on a problem and working to address it in your free time with other people who feel the same way.

• Attend City Council meetings: Many government meetings are sparsely attended and ignored by constituents. By showing up, your voice and the issues you care about are amplified and will get the attention they need to be resolved.

• Join a Campaign: If you find a local politician who represents the change you want to see in your community, help them win re-election! Campaigns are always looking for volunteers and community members who are excited and eager to talk to their neighbors about the stakes of upcoming elections. Contact their office to figure out how you can get involved! These are just some things you can do to be more active politically.

• Use your voice: Writing an email or a letter goes a long way in making your voice heard. Putting your concerns or advice in written format and virtually, makes it more powerful and will likely prompt a response from your elected officials.

• Get Social: Follow some of your community leaders and elected officials on social media. They use these platforms to share updates and important information residents should know about.  Following them will help you stay informed.

Como ser un Ciudadano Involucrado.

¿Cómo hacer tiempo para participar en la política de los gobiernos local, estatal y federal cuando se está entre el trabajo, los estudios, la familia y todo lo demás? Durante las próximas cinco semanas compartiremos consejos sobre “Cómo ser un ciudadano comprometido”.  Participar no tiene por qué ser difícil ni llevar mucho tiempo. Hay muchas cosas sencillas que puedes hacer para mejorar tu comunidad y las personas que viven en ella, algunas de las cuales requieren poco o ningún esfuerzo.

• Al dia con tu legislador ~ Manténte al día con los acontecimientos en el ámbito político local.¿Sabes quién toma las decisiones en tu comunidad y municipio? Infórmate leyendo los boletines municipales, sigue los perfiles o cuentas en redes sociales de los funcionarios políticos de tu distrito y comparte impresiones con tus vecinos sobre la comunidad a la cual pertenecen.
• No dude en preguntar: !Los funcionarios políticos electos en tu distrito te representan a tí y están para servirte. Tienes todo el derecho de cuestionar y preguntar sobre las decisiones que pueden afectar tu comunidad. Ponte en contacto con ellos.
• Las pequeñas acciones hacen mucho: Participa como voluntario en organizaciones que realicen un trabajo que te importe, como organizaciones caritativas o personas que lleven a cabo una labor importante en tu comunidad. Ya sea sacando a pasear a los perros de los refugios cada fin de semana, firmando peticiones en Internet o recogiendo la basura que veas que contamina tu calle, cada pequeño gesto es importante.

• Votar: Cada pocos años tenemos la oportunidad de hacer oír nuestra voz. Puede que no se sienta impactante cuando pierde el candidato de su elección, pero como hemos visto en elecciones reñidas en todo el país, algunas se han decidido por pocos votos. Cada voto cuenta. Nunca se sabe cuándo marcará la diferencia y cambiará a toda su comunidad en una dirección más positiva.

• Vigile su huella ambiental: Nadie quiere vivir en una comunidad sucia. Mantener un lugar limpio y saludable es responsabilidad de todos. Haga su parte reduciendo los desechos plásticos, comprando productos reciclables, comprando con bolsas de supermercado reutilizables, usando electrodomésticos más eficientes en energía en su hogar y nunca tirando basura.

• Persiga los temas que le interesen: Si le apasiona un problema, sea político, personal o algo intermedio, comience a hacer del mundo un lugar mejor dedicando su tiempo a solucionarlo. Se sorprenderá de lo poderoso que puede ser si se enfoca en un problema y trabaja para abordarlo en su tiempo libre con otras personas que sienten lo mismo.

  #7

  Asista a las reuniones del Ayuntamiento:

  A muchas reuniones de la administración pública asiste poca gente y los electores las ignoran.

  Al presentarse, su voz y los problemas que le preocupan se amplificarán y recibirán la atención que necesitan para resolverse.

Source: citizenslab.com