How To Be Politically Active

How To Be Politically Active - An Arab-American's Checklist

  1. Register to vote and get involved in the political process during an election year.
  2. Gather information on all the candidates and then choose a candidate.
  3. Volunteer in your candidate‘s political campaign.
  4. Affect change from the inside by working as staff for a local, state and federal official.
  5. Communicate with elected officials. Real letters from real people count.
  6. Run for office. Don‘t let a school board, city council or legislative seat go uncontested.
  7. Inform candidates of special holidays for Arab-Americans in order to send out a message wishing the Arab-American community a happy celebration.
  8. Invite a candidate to an Iftar-the breaking of the fast during Ramadan.
  9. Find out what openings there are on local boards and commissions and encourage Arab-Americans to apply.
  10. Go to a convention or become a Delegate for the National Conventions.
  11. Know your elected official. By monitoring public statements, speeches, votes, and press releases, the information gathered will be very useful to you and your vote. 
  12. Choose an issue that is important to you: Education, civil rights, media, etc. and get involved with advocacy groups, campaigns, or start a group.
  13. Recruit volunteers for campaigns. Arab-American volunteers give Arab-Americans value in an election campaign.
  14. Find your niche in the political process that suits your unique talent by talking to people, giving speeches, graphic design, computer skills, music, etc.
  15. Write monthly letters to the editor. The more press the Arab-American community can receive, the greater awareness of the government to the rights and issues of Arab-Americans.
  16. Hold an open “town-hall meeting” to solicit ideas feedback and generate broader involvement. Diversity is important in successfully mobilizing a large community.
  17. Maintain a master calendar containing all local, state, and national election dates, voter registration cutoff dates, early vote and vote-by-mail dates.
  18. Host a special event to attract members of the Arab-American community. By hosting a variety of different events, the ADC can build a stronger political base.
  19. Invite leaders and candidates to ADC events.
  20. Recognize and thank all volunteers. Reward those people who have done a lot.
  21. Publicize Arab-American events to increase visibility both in the Arab-American and general community.
  22. Identify individuals who work for a company that has a political action committee and ask them to support candidates who share the same values and goals of Arab-Americans.
  23. Hold a fundraiser-for small donor levels to high donor levels.
  24. Practice the politics of inclusion — make special efforts to reach out to young people, seniors, and the disability community.
  25. Orient and train new activists with workshops on strategy, tactics and structure.
  26. Talk back — call in to talk radio shows, speak up in citizen forums, write letters to the editor and write to your elected officials.
  27. Target high turnout and Arab-American performance precincts for volunteer recruitment and petition signatures.
  28. Strengthen the Arab-American sense of community by sponsoring a tutoring project.
  29. Sponsor an essay writing contest on elections, democracy, pluralism etc. with a prize.
  30. Teach your friends and family the importance of voting. 
  31. Put the spotlight on and thank local officials that are doing good jobs in protecting the rights of Arab-Americans.
  32. Attend local school board, city council and county commission meetings to provide input on public policy and legislation.
  33. Visit the ADC‘s website at www.adc.org.
  34. Be a Leader — make sure everyone is pulling together despite minor differences.
  35. Call the ADC if you have any questions–or need help with anything

A Youth Movement

  1. Register 18 year olds to vote.
  2. Join an organization on-campus or off-campus. If there is no Arab-American organization, create an organization.
  3. Make others aware of the Arab-American cause using political demonstrations and rallies.
  4. Embrace Arab-Americans‘ cultural and social life — host social conventions or gatherings.  At these events, you can hand out flyers or set up tables where students learn how to register for upcoming elections. 

Take advantage of ADC‘s special student membership rate.

For a $5 membership fee, students can have access to ADC conventions and other ADC events

 
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