• Be a United States Citizen;
  
• Be 18 years of age on or before the day of the election;
  
• Be a resident of the state in which you vote; and,
  
• Not be a convicted felon or found mentally incompetent.
  

Grassroots Women example
Ruth Fox, Houston and Austin, Texas
In the early '70s, we did go door to door. We made a practice of not asking if people were Republican or Democrat. I can remember years afterwards people coming up to me and saying, "I remember you coming to my door and registering me. I said, 'Well, I'm a Democrat,' and you said, 'Well, I don't really care, I just want to register you to vote.'" That changed their minds. Several people said that to me.

Become an informed voter

Study historical documents-Declaration of Independence,
Constitution, Federalist Papers

The historical documents of the United States provide the foundation for our government. In order to participate in the political process, you need to understand the creation and structure of governmental institutions. The Federalist Papers provide insight into the logic of the framers of the Constitution.

Study the philosophies of political parties

Political parties have track records. Some parties have stated philosophies and all parties have a platform. They can be found on the Internet or are available from party headquarters. Study them and determine which party most closely matches your personal philosophy and viewpoints. Most political parties have extensive websites, which spell out their priorities and current initiatives.

Determine your own personal philosophy

Personal philosophies develop in many different ways. Life experience, influential people (mentors, public figures, friends, and family), religious beliefs, knowledge of our country's history, understanding of the political parties--all contribute to an individual's personal philosophy. Your personal philosophy provides the basis from which to measure issues in the public arena.

Grassroots Women example
Billijo Porter, El Paso, Texas
I got involved in Republican politics because I am a conservative and because every vote that any politician does affects my life. I thought it was very important to get people who had integrity and whose political philosophy agreed with mine elected.

Know the positions of elected officials and candidates

Once you develop a personal philosophy and know what issues are important to you, follow the votes your representatives make. If your views are not represented by the votes made in Congress or the state legislature, get involved to elect a representative that better matches your stand on the issues.

Many sources inform citizens of the positions and voting records of elected officials. Excellent nonpartisan resources available on the Internet include Grassroots.com, SpeakOut.com, Vote-smart.org, and FreedomChannel.com. Thomas' Roll Call Report, at Roll-call-votes.com, is an excellent source of nonpartisan information with links to websites that represent the ideologies of both the right and the left, conservative and liberal. When researching voting records, keep in mind that not all votes can be confirmed. Recorded votes are roll call votes. Voice votes are not officially on the record.

Grassroots Women example
Carolyn Palmer, San Antonio, Texas
I finally realized that the people in politics make everything go. If you care about something and don't like the way it is, you need to know who they are and what they stand for. What you read in the paper is not enough. The only way to really find out is to get involved with who is running and learn why they are running and what their background is.

Join an organization that represents your views

Once you understand what issues are important to you, join a local, regional, or national group that organizes and mobilizes citizens to advocate those issues. A wide variety of organizations involved in issues from the economy to education, from civil rights to international policy exist to involve you in working for both good government and the betterment of your community. Grassroots.com is a one-stop, nonpartisan website that lists many of these groups.

Attend precinct conventions

Precinct conventions are the building blocks of political parties. Precinct conventions:

• Elect delegates to the county convention; and
  
• Pass resolutions, which may become part of the party platform, a statement of the party's philosophy.
  

Any citizen who votes in a party's primary is eligible to participate in the party's precinct convention. You need not be a party activist to attend and vote. Most precinct conventions are held in the polling place the day of the primary election after the polls close. Rules governing precinct conventions vary from state to state, but generally the precinct conventions have two purposes (above). Precinct conventions usually last a few hours.

Volunteer to attend your county convention

Volunteer to be a delegate to the county convention. Delegates to county conventions:

• Elect delegates to the state convention;
  
• Vote on resolutions forwarded from the precinct conventions. Those that pass are sent to the state convention.

Laws vary from state to state, but most county conventions are held several weeks following the primary election. In many cases, the delegates hear speeches from candidates for office. The delegates commit a day or less of their time. Delegates to the state convention perform similar duties, electing representatives to the national convention and members of the state committee. State delegates also approve the state party platform. Those attending the state convention usually commit a weekend of their time.

Consider running for office

Qualified candidates are needed for local offices, such as school board member, city council member, and county commissioner, and for state offices, such as state representative, state senator, judge, and elected executive branch offices.

• What kinds of experiences are valuable in your career or your volunteer activities?
  
• Have you been involved in politics or are you able to gain the support of your political party and influential people within the community?
  
• Do you have a network of family and friends that will help you run a campaign?
  
• Are you willing to make speeches, which will engender public support?
  
• Do you have ideas for improving the quality of life in your community?
  

You may have just the knowledge, skills, and political viability to serve your community. Check out your community's elected offices so you will know what is available and appealing to you. Determine the requirements to put your name on the ballot. Your state's Secretary of State's website is a good place to begin your research.

Grassroots Women example
Nancy Canion Davis, Galveston County, Texas
We look for people that want the job, number one. Number two, people that have some kind of base in the local community and have a natural constituency that they can appeal to, whether it is the business community or the farming community. Bringing some stranger in doesn't work, especially in the more rural areas. We looked at philosophy. Did we think they would do what we thought they would do once they got in office? The other very controversial thing we did was we agreed as a district candidate recruitment committee that, even as county chairmen who were to be neutral, we would endorse in the primary if there was any opposition. We wanted to recruit really good candidates. We felt, as Party leaders, if we went to these people and had them put their necks on the line in traditional Democratic areas the least we could do as a Party would be to stand up for them in the primary. We caught a lot of flack for it, but it worked.

Volunteer in campaigns

Successful political campaigns run on volunteer power. Opportunities exist in voter identification, telephone banks, polling and research, logistics, public relations, fundraising, and administration. Would you enjoy:

• Talking with people about a candidate;
  
• Scheduling the candidate's time;
  
• Conducting research on important current issues;
  
• Writing press releases and contacting media outlets; or,
  
• Helping hold events to raise money for the campaign?
  

Assess your talents and offer your time to your favorite candidate. Keep in mind that campaigns rely upon volunteers for important positions. If you commit yourself to a job, show up on time and earn the trust of the candidate and campaign management.

Grassroots Women example
Cindy Brockwell, Boerne, Texas
The basics never changed no matter the size of the campaign. With bigger campaigns, the candidates have more money, but your local candidates don't have the budget to pay a mail house to send out their direct mail pieces. Volunteers do it. It saves the candidate money so they can spend their money on things that you can't do with volunteers, like newspaper ads.

Shadow an elected official for a day

Students have unique opportunities to learn more about public service. Research your local government and find a position you would like to know about. You may have questions about:

• Responsibilities of the position;
  
• Activities of a typical day; or,
  
• Training or experience required for the job.
  

Seeing the person who currently holds the position in action could answer these questions. Write a letter explaining your educational background, your future interests, and why you want to learn more about the office he or she currently holds. Respectfully ask to shadow him or her for a day and propose a few dates that you are available to do so.

Pursue an internship with an elected official

Most federal (or national) level offices in the legislative and executive branches offer fulltime internships. Some interns may be paid while others are volunteers. Many schools award credit for an internship. Research the parts of government that affect the subject in which you are interested. Prepare a resume, which summarizes your interests and qualifications. Pay special attention to your writing, research, communication, and computer skills. You may be interviewed for the internship; be sure to present yourself in a professional manner. Once you have been hired, learn as much as you can about the area and office in which you work and about other public and private groups that affect the policies and issues you are concerned about. By holding an internship you will gain valuable insight and experience.

Attend the meetings of local boards and commissions

The first step toward political activism is informing yourself about the current activities of your local, state, and national governments. State laws differ, but generally local governmental bodies are required to meet and vote in public. Meetings are held on a regular basis usually at least once a month. For example, if you are interested in education, attend the local school board meeting. Become familiar with the issues and concerns of the school district and the ways decisions of other governmental bodies affect schools. The interrelationships between governmental bodies may be an eye-opener. Most citizens do not take this step to understand the challenges of governing on any level. Your knowledge will help you identify better candidates and evaluate their qualifications. You may decide to run for office yourself.

Apply for appointment to local, state, or national boards or commissions

Many important public servants are not elected to office. They are political appointees. These appointees serve on boards and commissions, which exist at local, state, and national levels. The President of the United States appoints the most familiar of these, such as the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the other Cabinet-level positions. There are thousands of appointed positions at all levels of government, both paid and volunteer, which need qualified applicants. A good way to start looking for these positions is to explore the issues you are concerned about. Find out:

• Who are the decision-makers related to that particular issue?
  
• Are they boards or commissions?
  
• Most of these boards or commissions have directors or trustees who set policy. How are they appointed?
  

Another avenue is to contact your local, state, or national elected officials regarding your willingness to serve. Many vacancies develop each year for positions. These openings may not on the surface look like a job for you, but when examined more carefully they may require someone with your special qualifications.

Grassroots Women example
Ruth Schiermeyer, Lubbock, Texas
We had sixty-some appointees from Lubbock County under Governor Clements. It doesn't just happen. You have to be very proactive. As county chairman, I worked very closely with the chamber of commerce. Every time I had someone that we wanted to have or wanted an appointment, I would call the chamber and get their support and contact our senator and both of our state reps. The chamber organized a committee on political affairs with an appointments subcommittee. They met regularly and looked at all of the appointments that were coming out, and I served on that committee. That helps the governor and the senators or state reps if people are out there actively looking for people that represent the views of the Governor. You know then that his philosophy is being carried through those boards and commissions. If the people being appointed do not represent that philosophy, then the governor is simply a figurehead and has no strength.

Write elected officials

What do you want to accomplish in writing a letter to an elected official? Do you want to:

• Gain their support for or opposition to a law or regulation?
  
• Get help obtaining services from a governmental agency?
  
• Learn their position on a particular issue?
  

Once you have identified the purpose of your communication, you must determine the proper official to write or call. Sites on the Internet explain the executive, legislative, and the judicial branches of government and have contact information. If your concern is a local or state one, learn who is responsible. Your local library is a good place to begin. Information may also be available on the Internet.

Tips for your letter:

• Be informed about the issue and the position of the official. When writing about legislation, use the correct bill numbers if possible;
  
• Be specific and provide as much information as possible about the problem you need a solution for and the way the official can be of help;
  
• Be to the point; officials have many demands on them and want to serve all constituents as quickly and efficiently as possible;
  
• Be sure to thank the official when your request has been filled.

Grassroots Women example
Debbie Francis, Dallas, Texas
Both elected officials and citizens have a responsibility. I have the responsibility to pick up the phone and call their office and ask the legislative aide who deals with the issue. I have done some of that. They have a responsibility to have a staff that is going to cover all areas of government and be knowledgeable. I will tell you, if there was a book put out that had nothing but one page that said, "You won't believe, if you will take the time to write or call, the difference you will make" . . . Most of us never write, and most of us never call. We never give any input other than to vote if we vote. Because I'm close to certain legislators or certain other government officials, I know the impact. Officials will tell me they received a letter, and they didn't know anything about the issue. It may have been one person who wrote, called, or went by the office. They are more moved by that than a lobbyist. It's just that lobbyists are mostly who they hear from. When an individual does do it, they are very moved because not that many individuals give sincere input on issues.

Attend a public forum
Many elected officials hold public meetings. These provide an opportunity to:

• Listen to constituents' concerns;
  
• Inform constituents of positions held on current issues; and,
  
• Discuss laws under consideration.
  

Elected officials from president to county sheriff participate in these types of events. Outside organizations such as the Republican Women or the League of Women Voters who are interested in educating the public about candidates and issues may also sponsor forums. This is your chance to ask questions or express an opinion. Listening carefully to the statements and all the answers will help you decide which candidates to support on election day.

Get others involved
Your interest is contagious. Get your family, friends, and neighbors involved in the political process. Invite them to join you when you:

• Attend forums and campaign rallies;
  
• Raise money for candidates or organizations that represent your views;
  
• Go to vote on election day;
  
• Volunteer to work in campaigns.

Grassroots Women example
Caroline Pierce, Houston, Texas
My main pitch is to just be involved. Our greatest problem in the country today is apathy. Become a better-informed citizen. I have never had a problem getting people to volunteer.

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