Take Civic Action

You know what you want changed. Now figure out who can change it.

Government can feel complicated because different decisions are controlled by different people.

You don't need to understand the entire system.

You only need to answer three questions:

What do I want changed?

Who has the authority to change it?

What am I asking them to do?

Then take one step.

STEP 1 — Define the Change

Try to finish this sentence:

"I want my community to __________________."

For example:

  • Build safer pedestrian crossings

  • Create a community garden

  • Expand transportation access

  • Fund school gardens

  • Protect more tree canopy

  • Change a zoning rule

  • Expand recreation programs

  • Study a community problem

  • Fund a public resource

  • Change an existing policy

You don't need legal language.

Start with the outcome.

STEP 2 — Find Who Controls It

Different levels of government control different things.

🏫 SCHOOL DISTRICT / SCHOOL BOARD

Start here for issues involving:

Curriculum • school gardens • cafeterias • school facilities • student programs • district transportation • outdoor learning • school policies

Possible people to contact:

School board members • superintendent • district department leaders • principals • facilities • curriculum • nutrition services

🏙️ CITY

Start here for many issues involving:

Local streets • sidewalks • zoning • development • parks • recreation • community spaces • local businesses • trees • local land use • some housing policies

Possible people to contact:

City council • mayor • city manager • planning department • parks department • transportation/public works • sustainability staff

🏘️ COUNTY

Start here for issues involving:

County services • public health • transportation • parks • social services • land use in some areas • regional infrastructure • county facilities

Possible people to contact:

County commissioners • county manager • relevant county departments

🏛️ STATE

Start here for many issues involving:

State law • statewide education policy • major funding programs • utilities • transportation systems • environmental regulation • statewide housing rules • healthcare systems

Possible people to contact:

State representative • state senator • legislative committees • state agencies • governor's office

🇺🇸 FEDERAL

Start here for issues involving:

Federal law • national programs • federal funding • taxation • interstate issues • major infrastructure • federal agencies

Possible people to contact:

U.S. representative • U.S. senators • congressional committees • federal agencies

Not Sure?

Ask:

"Who actually has the legal or administrative authority to make this decision?"

Sometimes the answer isn't an elected official.

It might be a:

Planning commission • transit authority • utility regulator • school administrator • parks department • state agency • zoning board • public authority • government department

Finding the correct decision-maker can save months of contacting the wrong people.

→ Find Your Elected Officials

STEP 3 — See What's Already Happening

Before asking government to create something new, search for what already exists.

Look for:

Existing laws

Local ordinances

Current programs

Proposed legislation

Government plans

Budgets

Committee agendas

Pilot programs

Previous studies

Public meeting minutes

Organizations already working on the issue

You may discover that the solution already exists but needs funding, expansion, implementation, or awareness.

STEP 4 — Turn Your Concern Into a Specific Ask

Avoid stopping at:

"Please do something about this."

Give the decision-maker something they can respond to.

Your request might be:

RESEARCH IT

"Would you support studying this issue?"

MEET ABOUT IT

"Would your office meet with residents and organizations working on this?"

FUND IT

"Would you consider funding or expanding this program?"

PILOT IT

"Would the city consider testing this approach in one neighborhood?"

CHANGE A POLICY

"Would you consider reviewing this existing policy?"

INTRODUCE SOMETHING

"Would you consider introducing an ordinance, resolution, or legislation addressing this issue?"

SUPPORT EXISTING LEGISLATION

"Would you consider supporting or co-sponsoring [bill/resolution]?"

HOLD A HEARING OR DISCUSSION

"Could the appropriate committee hold a public discussion about this issue?"

CONNECT US

"Could you connect us with the department or staff member responsible for this?"

A specific request makes it much easier for someone to give you a specific answer.

STEP 5 — Make Your Case Simply

You don't need a 40-page report.

Start with five things.

1. THE PROBLEM

What is happening?

2. WHO IT AFFECTS

Who experiences the consequences?

3. THE EVIDENCE

What credible information shows the problem exists?

4. A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

What could reasonably improve it?

5. THE ASK

What specifically would you like this person or institution to consider doing?

That's your basic policy pitch.

STEP 6 — Choose Your Action

⏱️ HAVE 2 MINUTES?

Send an email.

☎️ HAVE 5 MINUTES?

Call the appropriate office.

✍️ HAVE 10 MINUTES?

Submit written public comment.

🏛️ HAVE AN HOUR?

Attend a public meeting.

🤝 READY TO GO FURTHER?

Request a meeting.

🌱 WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING?

Find residents, organizations, researchers, businesses, schools, nonprofits, or other community partners who care about the same issue.

You don't have to do everything.

Choose the action you can realistically take.

STEP 7 — Use This Simple Message

Keep your first communication short.

WHO I AM

"My name is ______ and I live/work/study in ______."

WHY I'M CONTACTING YOU

"I'm reaching out about ______."

WHAT'S HAPPENING

"Our community is experiencing ______."

WHAT I'M ASKING

"I'd like you/your office to consider ______."

THE NEXT STEP

"Would someone from your office be willing to discuss this?"

That's enough to begin.

STEP 8 — Contact the Office

For elected officials, start with the official government website.

Look for:

Contact

Staff

District Office

Legislative Office

Committees

Public Comment

Meeting Request

For legislative offices, you can also ask:

"Which staff member handles ______ policy?"

You may be connected with the person who works directly on that subject.

STEP 9 — Follow Up

Didn't receive a response?

That doesn't automatically mean the answer is no.

Wait a reasonable amount of time and follow up.

You can say:

"I'm following up on my message regarding ______. Could you let me know who in your office would be the appropriate person to speak with?"

If you're still getting nowhere, try another legitimate pathway:

  • Relevant government department

  • Committee staff

  • Another representative for the jurisdiction

  • Public meeting

  • Public comment

  • Advisory board

  • Community organization

  • Neighborhood association

  • Local institution working on the issue

The goal isn't to overwhelm someone's inbox.

The goal is to find the correct pathway for the issue.

STEP 10 — Show Up Where Decisions Happen

Emails are only one form of civic participation.

Look for:

City council meetings

County commission meetings

School board meetings

Legislative committee hearings

Planning commission meetings

Budget hearings

Public workshops

Agency hearings

Community planning meetings

Read the agenda before attending.

If your issue appears on it, check the rules and deadline for public participation.

Giving Public Comment?

Keep it simple.

WHO ARE YOU?

"My name is ______ and I live in ______."

WHAT ISSUE ARE YOU ADDRESSING?

"I'm speaking today about ______."

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

"In our community, ______."

WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO CONSIDER?

"I'm asking the board/council/committee to consider ______."

CLOSE

"Thank you for your time."

You don't need to be an expert to describe what you are experiencing.

When making factual claims, use credible sources whenever possible.

Meeting With Someone?

Bring a one-page brief, not a giant binder.

Your page should answer:

Problem

Evidence

Possible solution

Existing examples

Community support

Specific request

Contact information

Then spend most of the meeting having a conversation.

→ Prepare for a Government Meeting

Ask Questions, Too

A productive meeting doesn't have to end with:

"Yes, we'll do it."

Useful questions include:

"What would need to happen for something like this to move forward?"

"Who else should we speak with?"

"Is there an existing program related to this?"

"Which department controls this?"

"Are there legal or funding barriers?"

"Is there an upcoming budget or planning process relevant to this?"

"Would a pilot be possible?"

"What information would your office need from us?"

"Is there a committee that should hear this?"

"What should our next step be?"

These answers can tell you where to go next.

Build Support Without Creating an Echo Chamber

Before claiming that a community supports something, actually talk to the community.

Listen to:

Residents

People directly affected

Community organizations

Schools

Researchers

Local businesses

Service providers

People who disagree

Questions and criticism can expose problems in a proposal before it becomes policy.

A stronger solution can come from understanding those concerns rather than ignoring them.

Track What Happens

Keep a simple record.

Issue

Government level

Decision-maker

What you requested

Date contacted

Response

Next step

Upcoming meeting or deadline

Outcome

This prevents community work from disappearing when one person gets busy.

Remember: Policy Isn't Always the Answer

During your research, you might discover that the fastest or most effective solution is:

A community project.

An existing nonprofit.

A school partnership.

A business partnership.

A university.

A grant.

A government program that already exists.

A change in administrative practice.

Or simply connecting people to a resource they didn't know existed.

The goal isn't to create more policy.

The goal is to solve the underlying community need.

Ready for the Next Step?

❤️ Need an issue?

→ Find a Policy to Support

🏘️ Have a problem but don't know the solution?

→ Bring Us a Community Problem

🏛️ Have a meeting scheduled?

→ Prepare for a Government Meeting

📄 Need something to bring?

→ Download the Policy Brief Template

Community participation doesn't have to begin with expertise.

Learn who has authority.

Understand the problem.

Find what already exists.

Make a specific request.

Listen.

Follow up.

Keep going.

Community over separation.