I was taught many years ago, "If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem". That didn't mean much to me when I first heard it, but the older I get, the more it makes sense.
Top 10 ways you can get involved:
#1.
VOTE ... VOTE ... VOTE!!!
I can't stress this one enough! If you don't like the way your representatives at whatever level of government are representing you, vote! It's truly the only way you can have a say as to who is in office. For more information on registering to vote, visit the Register to Vote page of the MN Secretary of State's web site.
#2.Become an Election Judge
Minnesota needs more election judges! It's not that difficult to become an election judge, but it is an important job. Election judges help to ensure that our elections are done properly and fairly. You also get paid for it, and although it usually isn't very much money, it still is rewarding in many other ways. For more information, check out this brochure on Serving as an Election Judge, also from the MN Secretary of State's web site.
#3Attend MEETINGS.
Nothing helps to hold your government officials accountable like actually sitting in the audience at meetings. Not too many people are actually able to take time away from their busy lives these days to attend these meetings. However, it is a good way to find out what actually is going on at your various levels of government that you can't find out from reading the minutes of meetings or from newspaper accounts. Meeting minutes don't include every word of the discussion held on the issues and neither do newspaper accounts. Newspapers only hit the highlights or sometimes, worse yet, only the sensationalized accounts of what's happening. There's nothing like actually being there to find out just what is really going on! Many levels of government have web sites now. You can find out when and where their meetings are held, and many times, you can even find the agendas for the meetings. (I have the web listings on other pages of this web site for many levels of Minnesota government.)
#4Make use of the Web
If you're using this site, you already have a great way of checking out government information on the web. The Internet has made it so much easier these days to keep track of all the different levels of government that are conducting YOUR business. Minnesota's own web site, North Star, is where I got started collecting many of the links found on this site. Minnesota's web site is great for finding out how to contact your state representatives, state agencies, and the Governor, as well as finding links for your local city, county, school
districts, etc.
#5Volunteer to be on committees.
This is another good way to become a part of the solution. Let your local or state officials know that you would like to become a part of the many committees and commissions that are out there. The things you have learned in life may very well be something that could be useful and could help out on these committees. You could play a part in helping to make recommendations to your local leaders and by doing so, can help have a say in how your government takes action. The MN Secretary of State also has a link for Open Appointments to state committees and commissions. Check the Current Vacancies link on that page.
#6Contact your Representatives
Let them know what you think. After all, they aren't mind readers! Email these days has made it easier than ever to get in touch with many of them. Phone calls and regular mail works just as well though, especially at the local level. It's debatable to me which method is more effective for state or national level representatives.
#7Contribute to political candidates and/or political parties.
Minnesota has made it easier than ever to become a contributor to political campaigns. With the MN Political Contribution Refund program, you can get a refund from the Minnesota Department of Revenue of up to $50 for an individual contribution or up to $100 for a married couple for contributing to a Minnesota political party and/or a candidate for state office.
This is how it works. If you were to contribute either $50 as an individual or $100 as a married couple to the state candidate and/or political party of your choice, you would then:
1. Fill out the form that you can get from either the Department of Revenue's website or
from the candidate and/or party you have contributed to..
2. Attach the receipt that you will get from the candidate and/or party.
3. Mail it in to the address shown on the form.
In just a few weeks, you will get $50 or $100 back from the State of Minnesota. This way there is no long term out of pocket expense for you, yet it can help the candidate out a lot! It's easy to do and a good way to help your candidate with the costs of running an effective campaign. Of course, you are not limited to giving only $50 or $100. Candidates and/or political parties can accept contributions in whatever amount you can afford, as long as it is within state campaign finance laws.
#8Volunteer to help candidates with their campaigns
Don't like who's representing you now or want their opponent / your candidate to win an election? Then you can always volunteer your time to help them with their campaign. Stuffing envelopes, phone calling, putting up signs, passing out literature, walking in parades. These are just some of the many ways that candidates can use your help.
Helping a candidate is a good experience and it helps you to learn just what actually goes into running for office. People don't realize how much work and how difficult it can be to run for office. This kind of help is a good way to learn just that.
#9Run for Office!
"Put your money where your mouth is." Always thinking that there aren't any good candidates out there? Getting sick of "professional politicians"? If you think you can do it better, or you just want to give it a try, then try running for office yourself. Start out small if you aren't sure what you're doing. Township government, city councils or school boards are excellent places to start out. Check out the Campaign Information on the Secretary of State's web site. Also check out "Filing for Office - 2006".
#10 Keep informed!
When all else fails, and you just haven't got any time to do any of the above suggestions, just pay attention to what's going on. As noted earlier, the web has become a great way to stay on top of things. Kind of like "one stop shopping" where you can find local news, keep track of what's going on at the state capitol, learn about the latest news from the party caucuses and many, many other ways of staying informed on the issues of the day.
Or ... just read your local paper, listen to the radio or watch the television news programs. It's better than not paying any attention at all! Unfortunately, ignoring what our politicians are up to won't make it all go away. They keep on working whether you are paying attention or not! It's much better to know what they are up to so that you can let them know what you think about it in advance, than to just ignore it all and wait for it to hit you personally ... after it's too late to speak up.
Joan Spiczka
