Politics Is More Than a Spectator Sport

Are you ready to expand your civic activity beyond Facebook memes and snappy tweets? Consider becoming part of the political process. If you have the interest, you can find many opportunities to become engaged beyond voting.

Start Local

Democracy doesn’t just happen in Washington, D.C. Leaders in your local community make policies that impact your town, your business, and your family. From public utility commissioners to mayors, there are many offices that need quality leaders. Do you have a passion for education? Consider taking a seat on your local school board.

Maybe you aren’t quite ready to run for an office. You can still become an active participant in the process. If you own a local business, consider upping your visibility. Support a local youth organization by sponsoring a sports team. Attend a city council meeting and speak up about an agenda item that impacts you. Take advantage of town hall meetings held by your elected officials to hear what they have to say. If you aren’t quite ready for politics, consider seasonal positions that may be available at your county auditor’s office during primary and general elections.

You may be part of a union or a trade association that lobbies elected officials about policies and proposals that affect your livelihood. Find out how to become an active part of those efforts. From getting other members to participate to testifying at a committee hearing, you can make a positive difference to the issues that matter most to you.

Donate Time

Consider becoming a volunteer or an intern to gain experience in legislation and policy making. Local, state and federal elected officials often have internship opportunities available in both their local and capital offices. The work may not be glamorous. You may be answering a lot of constituent phone calls. By becoming a firsthand participant, however, you can get a great idea of what the legislative process is all about.

Perhaps you’re at a point in your career where donating your time to a political party, an issue advocacy organization or a specific candidate is more practical. Consider the issues that are crucial to you and find an opportunity that fits.

Get Prepped

There are many paths to holding elected office. Some people have focused on elected office as a career goal. Others have entered politics after pursuing other jobs and vocations. For federal offices, the U.S. Constitution has specific age and residency requirements spelled out for presidents and representatives. There is no education requirement listed. That being said, pursuing a degree can be a beneficial step to becoming an elected official, whether at the local or federal level. Many candidates for office have studied for a law degree. But what if you don’t want to be a lawyer? Don’t be discouraged. Candidates with a variety of degrees from many different schools have successfully been elected.

You don’t need to attend class in person to earn a degree. Online education opportunities can let you pursue your dreams while meeting your current job obligations and can prepare you for a better career, including a future in government leadership. Keep both short and long range goals in mind as you consider areas of study. Successful politicians learn from a variety of career and life experiences

Act Now

Don’t let the thought of so many options keep you from participating in politics at all. If running for office or becoming an intern don’t sound good now, start small. Take a trip to your state capital building. Visit your town hall building and become familiar with where your mayor’s office is. If you are one of the thousands of people who are eligible to vote but haven’t registered, get signed up.

Would you rather face an IRS audit than speak in public? You are not alone. Public speaking is one of the most commonly feared experiences by adults. While there are some people that love being in front of a crowd, for most it is a skill acquired through practice. Start volunteering to make presentations at work. Not only will you impress your boss, you’ll get better speaking in front of groups.

It’s easy to complain about politics. To create change, you must do more than talk. With so many different ways to participate, take your time a try a few to get the best fit. Get involved, you can make a positive difference.