READ/FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE – INFORMATION IS POWER
Make a plan for incorporating daily reading periods into your routines if your schedule allows. Staying on top of current events is critical now. Identify favorite political writers and news sources and read them on a regular basis. Read about what Congress is doing every day by visiting Countable.us (there is also an app). Check out Ballotpedia, the “Encyclopedia for American Politics” and the Progressive Pulse, a blog by NC Policy Watch.
Read and study the Indivisible Guide, written by former congressional staffers who witnessed the impact of the Tea Party first hand and share their valuable lessons learned. Download it or print it for future reference and inspiration!
Follow Stronger NC OBX on Facebook. Make a habit of checking the group page daily for calls to action and important news. Follow other online groups like RISE TOGETHER NC and Damsels in Defiance. Share information you find there with our group and with other like-minded people. Follow North Carolina’s own Jeff Jackson and his “Gameplan” and Graig Meyer and his “OurShot” video series. Follow bloggers who write about progressive issues like Linda Kinne and her “Two Cents of Sense” blog. Robert Reich, Van Jones, Rachel Maddow, and Cory Booker are great progressive voices you can follow online. There are many emerging and established voices – find them and follow them.
Subscribe to various reliable news sources like the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and Mother Jones. Many of them have email updates you can subscribe to on a daily or weekly basis.
Subscribe to Jennifer Hofmann’s weekly calls to action. She has very valuable information about specific issues and what to do.
LEARN – KNOW WHO IS REPRESENTING YOU AND HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT WORKS
Learn about your local government by googling your town name and finding the information on the town website. If you don’t know who your state or national representatives are, find out by visiting whoismyrepresentative.com. Visit their websites and learn all about them. Consider printing all their contact information for future reference. Spend some time on the North Carolina General Assembly website. There is lots of good information there.
LISTEN – GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK FROM ALL THAT READING
Listen to NPR. It can be educational and soothing all at the same time! Listen to the audio feed from the North Carolina General Assembly when they are in session. It is very interesting but not so soothing! NC General Assembly Audio
JOIN JOIN JOIN – WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER
Join one of our committees. Join progressive movements and groups at the local, state and national levels. Join the Democratic Party at all levels. The list of groups that need our support now is extensive.
GIVE GIVE GIVE – MONEY TALKS
Donate money to organizations who are fighting the Trump agenda and working to protect civil rights, the environment and other causes that will be threatened under the Trump administration. To name a few: NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, the ACLU, Natural Resource Defense Council, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood. There are many more that need our financial support now. Give whatever amount you are able to give.
WRITE WRITE WRITE – YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Many of the ongoing calls for action involve writing letters or emails to various politicians and also to newspapers. Stock up on stamps and envelopes. Sign up for a service that will help you figure out what to write and when, like “We Shall Not Perish.” Don’t just send form letters. Use them as a guide if you need to but also add a personal element so the recipient knows you are not a robot.
CALL CALL CALL – USE YOUR VOICE FOR CHANGE
Many calls for action involve making phone calls to various politicians. Make time to do so. Scripts are often available to follow if you don’t know exactly what to say. Consider printing the phone numbers of all of your representatives and posting the list where you can easily find it.
MARCH MARCH MARCH – THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO SEE THE RESISTANCE IN ACTION
Consider joining public rallies and demonstrations. Make sure safety is always your primary concern. Know your rights before attending public events in case there is police interference. Decide in advance whether you are willing to be arrested. One opportunity to get involved in marches is with the NAACP of NC and the Moral Monday movement. Our group page will post information about those and other opportunities.
VISIT – MEET YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN PERSON
Visit your representatives when they are in their offices and tell them about your concerns. Watch for opportunities to meet them at public events. Approach them and ask questions. Consider going to Raleigh and attending a General Assembly session.
REST – AMERICA NEEDS ALL THE ENERGY YOU CAN MUSTER NOW!