What can I do?

You're inspired! Wondering what political actions you can take?

• Figuring out what to do is doing something!!  Don't be discouraged if you don't figure it out right away, or if the first thing you do doesn't pan out.
• Learn about issues that are important to you.
• Find a friend who's already doing something you value, and join them.
• Visit the office of a local legislator and ask them what they are doing that's important to you.
• Be patient.  We are on a long road, and we are building the road as we go.  Existing organizations are just learning how to take advantage of newly energized people, and some are doing it better than others.  New organizations are forming and discovering that organizing takes smarts and persistence. Stick with the groups that inspire you, and knows how to connect and direct action.

Here are some resources that may help you.

Weekly emails (or at least they intend to be):

Jen Hoffman's blog of actions you can take on a variety of justice issues.  Subscribe here.

Small Deeds Done, a blog with suggestions for small deeds you can do each week and inspirational stories of activists making a difference.  Subscribe here.

Small Victories by Alison and Stephanie at Peaceisloud.org.  Subscribe here.

More Ideas:

Friends Committee for National Legislation - subscribe here.
A national lobbying organization created by the Friends (Quakers).  They emphasize peacebuilding, and economic and environmental justice.  If you want to learn about issues in depth with great clarity, about how to lobby elected officials effectively, and when congressional lobbying on which topic is timely, consult their website and/or sign up for their weekly updates.  Their goal is to have lobbying teams in every congressional district-- and you need not be a Quaker to join your local team.  The Friends were the single group most responsible for abolition, and they're still at it.
Here are some posts of interest (updated 9/17):
The Budget Control Act: FAQ
Get the Facts: Pentagon Spending

Indivisible - former Democratic Congressional staffers who know how the system works, providing tools for the movement. Read their wonderful guide to get a jump-dart on how to be politically effective.  Find (or start) a local group.

Citizen's Climate Lobby - Making a difference with local groups around the nation.


League of Women Voters
The League is non-partisan in that it does not select candidates.  It does take positions on a variety of justice issues, especially those related to voting but others as well.  Your local League may be one of the best-informed volunteer organizations about local politics, and can probably use your help with voter registration, observing public meetings of elected officials, gathering information about voter participation, and more. And yes, they take men.