How to become involved

All of us as citizens of the United States, residents of the State of Arizona and residents of the City of Mesa have agreed to the respective Social Contract that defines each level of government over the geographical jurisdiction in which we live.  Since our form of government is a Republic with balanced control between the governed and the governors, we need to understand how we can become involved in our Republic and make a difference.

You can stage protests on the steps of the Capital or go on long marches, but I really doubt these make any difference on public policy.  So what do we do?

There are different levels of involvement.

CIVIC DUTY:  It is our 'Civic Duty' to be governed by the laws ie obey the laws of the land.  This is the lowest level of involvement which if not done will ultimately land you in jail.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY;

• Vote:  Become a registered voter and vote in every election.  Those who do not register to vote or do not vote are not exercises their simplest of Civic Responsibilities and Liberties.  It demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the freedoms that we enjoy in America and how fragile they can be.  We are a Democracy on voting day. 
• Educate yourself on the issues and candidates and vote intelligently
• Sign petitions for those candidates or issues important to you.  Help pass petitions around
• Participate in election campaigns to ensure good people are elected

CIVIC AUTHORITY:

I used to be the type of citizen who exercised his Civic Duty and Responsibility and passionately expressed my opinion as we sat around and pounded the kitchen table.  But exercising Civic Duty and Responsibility does not do much to make a difference.  I learning now how to make a difference because of two things.  1.  The Republican party nominated Donald Trump as their Republican candidate for President.  I dislike Trump so much and Hillary even more that I wondered how is it possible that two people who are hated by nearly every one be the only candidates for President--- surely there is more I can do.  2.  I started taking the Constitution classes from the Center for Self Governance which I highly recommend.  From the Center for Self Governance I learned Civic Authority includes.

1. Recognize the boundaries within the 'system' (government)
2. We the people of the responsibility to enforce the boundaries.
3. Build relationships with people; the governed as well as the governors
4. Harness political power with others to identify where boundaries are blurred or breached
5. Harness political power with others through gaming and planning to enforce and maintain boundaries and implementing those plans on a daily basis.

GAME PLAN:

Where Civic Authority is pretty much limited to election years, Civic Authority to truly make a difference must involve a game plan exercising political power every day of the year.  The following are some ideas stolen from the powerful lobbyist who are in fact exercising their 'Civic Authority' for selfish purposes usually to get gain.  You can exercise the same power on an individual basis to protect your freedoms.

Prepare yourself:

1. Learn about the Constitution.  Listen to the videos offered by the National Center for Constitutional Studies and read some of their books.  Take the course offered by the Center for Self Governance.
2. Decide which level of government you can impact the most.  The Federal Government is so far away, complex and out of control it is almost a hopeless case.  Your local municipality, County, or School Board is more practical because you might even know some of these people personally.
3. Study the Legislative process for the level of government you selected.  Become familiar with how the elected officials are organized and governed (legislative, executive, judicial); terms of office, district maps, etc.
4. Create a list of who's who for your selected branch of government.
5. Build a relationship with the public officials in your branch of government

Join a team of like minded people:

Getting the change you want in public policy will occur most readily when you join with other people in coalition who are interested in many of the same things as you.  The Center for Self Governance is particularly keen on developing a Team pledged to each other to understand the Constitution, identify breeches in the Constitution and develop gaming plans to rectify those breeches.

1. Identify a group who understands the Constitution.  This requires visiting other organizations, listening to people and feeling out where their interests are.
2. Invite people to be part of a team.

Identify a Project

If you or a team are going to have an impact, you have to identify a specific issue or concern to work on.

1. Review council or board agendas.  Identify an issue or person who is advocating causes you oppose.
2. Look for allies.  Research the interests of your elected officials to find out if they have professional or personal ties to your interest or cause.
3. Research everything you can find out about the person or issue and discuss with the Team.

Become of Voice for your Cause

1. Identify other groups working on the same issue if possible and build a coalition.
2. Become a source of reliable information.  Must be accurate.  Create a packet of information on your public policy agenda item.  Building credibility is vital to the long-term strength of your public policy efforts.  If you are not sure of your facts about the issue, don't fudge.  Get it right!
3. Build a relationship with your elected officials or a key staff person.  Inform them of your game plan and work cooperatively with them if they are like minded, and work openly with those who do not agree with you.  Remember, most decisions are made well before council or board meetings!

Increase or sustain your advocacy

1. Know the staff.  Often the staff of a legislator may be the most knowledgeable person in the legislator's office about your issue.  Find out staff or committee people who are working on your issue and get to know them.  Send them an information packet that you prepared.  Meet with them as appropriate.  Invite them to speak to your group.
2. Use the Telephone.  Make telephone calls to your elected officials about pending legislation, regulations, or other priority public policy matters to describe how it will impact your issue.  
3. Send a letter.  Each member of your team can send a letter at critical times.  You may have friends outside your Team that would be willing to send a letter.  (Be sure to thank them)  Recent surveys show that a well-written letter from a constituent is one of the most influential ways of communicating with an elected official.
4. emails are not necessarily effective.
5. Initiate grassroots support.  Write an action alert to your Team, neighbors, friends, etc urging them to a specific action.
6. Seek for speaking opportunities with other political action groups in your area
7. Testify at committees.  Remember, most decisions are made before an issue ever goes to the council, board or polls.  Find out when the appropriate committees in your political body meet on subjects related to your issue and give personal testimony.  Pick a member of your Team who is well informed and articulate!.  You better have your facts right or your opinion can be denigrated.
8. Become a member of an appointed committee which deals with your issue.
9. Meet with elected officials.  Convene a small meeting of key Team members with one of your elected officials to explain your goals.  Cover all the bases and work with all elected officials you can.  Get support on a one-on-one basis before they meet the public eye.
10. Inform and Educate the public.  When you have success, document it!  Success brings credibility.  Write articles for public media or private distribution to let them know of your success.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO KEEP THE REPUBLIC WE HAVE, YOUR EFFORTS WILL NEED TO BE FAIRLY CONSTANT ALL YEAR LONG!!