Democratic Engagement Guide

Focus your efforts

Pick your top issues听

To start, choose one or two issues that are important to you. Whatever your cause is, narrowing your focus can help you get involved without feeling overwhelmed.听

Identify your talents听

Do you enjoy graphic design? Are you a great public speaker? Make a list of your talents and strengths to help determine how you could support your causes.

Create an action plan听

With your top issues and list of talents, create an action plan to get involved. Learn more about your causes, check out organizations to join and explore volunteer opportunities.

Educate yourself and others听

There are many ways to learn about your top issues and democratic engagement in general. Diversify your sources of information to broaden the scope of what you are learning.听

听Read: Explore books and articles related to activism and civic engagement. Here are a few suggestions to get started:听

(Social Change Library)听
from Goodreads鈥�
(Greater Good Magazine)听
(Greater Good Magazine)听

听Research: Learn about your representatives and take time to research your issues.听听

听Follow: Find social media pages for organizations you support and candidates you want to learn more about.听听

听Listen: Attend meetings or events for groups to learn and find podcasts to enrich your learning. To get started, check out these podcasts on .听

听Learn: Develop your leadership skills through CU GOLD workshops, the Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference, or the Women鈥檚 Leadership Symposium.听

听Discuss: Share news and thoughts with your friends, family and colleagues.听

听Train: Take advantage of workshops and other learning opportunities to help you be a better ally.听

Take action听

Even small acts can lead to significant change! Explore how you can get involved and make a difference.听听

听Simple (but important) actions听

Vote: Register to vote and vote in every election.听
Live your values: Avoid products that conflict with your causes.听
Donate: If you can, donate to causes that you support.听
Wear your cause: When you can, wear buttons, stickers and shirts that support your cause.听
Contact your reps: Write to and call your representatives to share your opinions. Check out these tips from the and the on how to write to your elected officials.听
Write to the newspaper: Write to your local newspaper about what current issues are important to you and why.听

听More involved actions听

Attend events: Attend rallies, protests and events to show your support. Visit the website to find your state legislator, get information on bills and view the meeting calendar for the House and Senate.听
Attend meetings: Attend local meetings like city council and town hall meetings.听
Join local groups: Join student and community groups that align with your passions. Here are a few options to start finding groups:听
- 鈥�
- RSOs鈥�
- Non-partisan RSOs鈥�
- RSOs听
Share literature: Help spread the messages of groups you support by carrying their pamphlets, brochures, flyers or other literature to share.听
Register voters: Help register others to vote.听
Volunteer: Volunteer with organizations that align with your top issues.听

听Most intensive actions听

Work: Look for internships and jobs that align with the issues you鈥檙e passionate about.听
Leadership: Become a leader and organizer for groups you鈥檙e a part of or start your own.听
Run for office: Become involved in politics by running for office with CU Student Government.听听

Practice self-care听

While it can feel like you should be productive in your free time, focusing on self-care is also essential. Find balance by sleeping 7-9 hours each night, eating regular meals, finding time for physical activity and staying in touch with friends and family. For more tips, visit the Health and Wellness Services website and check out these additional resources:听

Allies and Advocates and Self-Care, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)听
Attend a free Health and Wellness Services event 鈥�

Information for this page came from the Washington State University鈥檚 Democratic Engagement Guide.听

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