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Let's get it passed
Let's get it passed
After introducing the resolution to your county or town council member, it is important to engage the community to help ensure that the resolution moves forward. There are a few key areas you can focus on to really help get your resolution across the finish line: getting other council members on board, educating the public, and activating your community leaders and members.
Get other Council Members on Board
Get other Council Members on Board
Now that you have a council member willing to champion your resolution, it's important to show them your support. Work on getting other council members on board. Hold meetings, make calls, and talk to other council members to get them on board.
You can also meet with the council president to make sure the resolution comes up for a vote. Knowing when that will happen will be important for organizing down the road.
Educate the Public
Educate the Public
Write a letter to the editor
Write a letter to the editor
Letters to the editor are another great advocacy tool. Many elected officials will read LTEs in their local paper, it’s a great way to reach your local community, and can often give a more personal, emotional view point than a news article.
We’ve created an easy click to share tool for you to send a letter to the editor to your local paper. Make sure to make it your own!
See an example: draft letter to the editor
Never written a letter to the editor? Here's an example!
To the Editor,
January 6th, 2021 was a violent and deadly attack against all Americans – against our country, our democracy, and our freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us so that we have a government of, by, and for the people.
The rioters who attacked the Capitol broke the law and should be held accountable. But the riot itself was only one piece of the plot. If there is one thing that’s become crystal clear, it’s that this attempted coup was a crime that was plotted, organized and led at the highest levels, for months. That’s terrifying.
In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. Our elected leaders must pass urgent voting rights legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.
( YOUR CITY COUNCIL ) will be voting on a resolution that calls for accountability for the Jan 6th attack and sends a message that voters decide the outcome of elections.
Join us on (DATE, TIME, LOCATION OF VOTE ) so we can prevent another attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
We almost lost everything this country stands for, just months ago. We’re all responsible for making sure it can never happen again.
Sincerely,
Your name
Use your social media networks
Use your social media networks
Social media can be a great tool to educate and organize your community. Past about your resolution, and encourage others to do the same!
You can also host a social media event, like a Facebook or Instagram Live or a Twitter Space, to talk about the resolution and answer questions. Here are some tips for making the best of your social media outreach.
Be clear and concise. Your social posts should explain what the resolution is and why we need to pass it in easy to understand language. Remember: not everyone knows what a local resolution is. So start from the beginning, and be prepared to explain!
Speak to the values of your community. Get to the heart of the matter! This is bigger than all of us - it's about protecting our democracy for this generation and generations to come. Talk about why passing this resolution is important to you, and why you feel called to do this work.
Engage your friends and family. Use those networks! Create simple graphics and posts your friends and family can share to help spread the message.
Invite your community leaders into the conversation. When we think about "influencers," we tend to think about people with millions of followers. But get more local: who are the influential voices in your community? Reach out and ask them if they'll support your resolution on social. Make sure you share the sample posts you created!
Create opportunities to engage. Hosting social media events can give people in your digital community a chance to ask their questions and talk about why this resolution matters to them. Organize these events, and invite people to participate with you! It's important that people hear from a wide range of voices about why your resolution matters.
activate your community leaders and members
activate your community leaders and members
Now is a great time to broaden the support in your community for your resolution. Identify who the influential voices in your community are - people like elected officials, faith leaders, and local newscasters. Talk with them about your resolution, and ask if they'll help you spread the word to their communities.
This is also a great time to do some one on one outreach. Think about how you can gather the signatures of your neighbors and community members in favor of the resolution. Is there a popular community event you can talk to people at, like a farmer's market? Is there a popular coffee shop or restaurant that would let you hang flyers? Now's the time!
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