United States Government: Democracy in ActionUnit 8: State and Local GovernmentBig Idea Activity
Assignment: Grassroots Reform Implement a grassroots campaign for a local or state issue. Assignment Task ListStep 1: Brainstorm ideas for a change in your community or state. Organize into small groups to form ideas about issues to promote in a grassroots organization. What do you feel strongly about? The issue may be statewide or localized. Here are some examples:
Step 3: Clearly state the issue and its solution(s). Describe what you want to change regarding this issue and the people who would benefit from the change. Gather and summarize online and print information relevant to your issue/problem and solution. In order to effectively promote your issue to local or state legislatures, the public, and the media, you must be clear on your goal and ways to meet it. Step 4: Decide the tactics you will use to promote your issue. Publicity is a must. Will you attend local council meetings and/or e-mail local officials? Will you prepare leaflets highlighting the issue/solutions and distribute them door-to-door? Will you post information online? Will you write editorials for the local newspaper? Check online and in the phone book to see whether other grassroots organizations with a similar goal exist in your area, and how you can work together or get ideas from them. Keep in mind that an organized demonstration requires a local permit. Step 5: Discuss correct behavior to follow when implementing your tactics. A successful grassroots organization is run on skills similar to business skills even though the goal is not personal gain. These skills include effective communication, following through on responsibilities, staying informed, sticking to facts instead of opinions, and keeping your ego in check. Grassroots organizations are not about one person—they are successful because everyone works together professionally even when the issue is emotional. Step 6: Organize into subgroups to implement the tactics you decided upon in Step 4. Successful grassroots organizations are extremely well organized in terms of who will do what, when, and where. Identify who will be responsible for various actions, and keep track of everyone's responsibilities on a chart or Excel sheet. Include details such as who called or e-mailed which officials and when, or who prepared and distributed leaflets to which neighborhoods and when. Do not duplicate efforts, and be prepared to expand efforts if the people you contact also want to become actively involved.
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