You've taken a Get Results class. Now take an actions step. Step off the sidelines and get in the game!

Become a Citizen Legislator--Take Charge!
Present a Ready to Adopt Law from our Tool Kit or Develop and Pass your own Constructive Proposal to resolve an issue in your town.

Action Steps-

• Present a "Ready to Adopt" law from the Tool Kit.
• Take the Citizen Legislator Class to learn how to make a successful presentation and to also learn how to develop a constructive proposal of your own. What is a Constructive Proposal? Use our online book- study Chap 3 of the Citizens Manual.
• Focus on making one proposal at at time.  
• Choose one proposal that is less controversial and move likely to be an easy first win.
• You may want to start by presenting your proposal to a board or commission before you present it to the town council, to build support.
• Make sure you've researched what's already been done in your town with respect to the proposal through an OPRA request with your town clerk & offer your proposal as a compliment to their initiatives.
• Identifying funding is a huge plus, especially in the financial crisis that most towns face. Check on federal or state grants, or private foundation grants.
• Stick to a no blame approach which helps to focus the elected official on the proposal.
• Find other residents who care about this issue to accompany you to a council meeting when you propose your cost cutting proposal to be adopted. 
• Use the media to campaign for your issue.
• If an elected offical says they are going to review your proposal ask them when the public can expect a response.

Become a Political Navigator- Take Charge!
Action Steps

• Like us on Facebook.
• Spread the Word-  Share a link to one of our "get results" class from our website on your facebook page or tweet about it or email friends and send them the link.
• Share our video "You Dont Need to be an Elected Official to Get Things Done."
• Host a Meet Up or House Party- You can call your friends or community to service- and we will help you with the invite, provide the speaker and teach one of our get results classes to get them engaged in developing constructive solutions. To host a meet up contact Renee at 732-548-9798x 2 or email her at renee@thecitizenscampaign.com. 
• Host a Hometown Call to Service- Read this example of a Political Navigator who called Leonia, NJ citizens to service. You can be a success story too!

Become a Citizen Journalist- Take Charge
Write a Story about a local issue? Get published!

Action Steps-

• Attend a meeting of one of the Power Centers (Town  Council, the School Board, or a town board or commission/committee, like the Planning Board)
• Write a story on events taking place in your community. Call your hyperlocal news site (use our list of sites) and see if someone is covering the story, and if not, cover the story yourself and submit it for publication.
• View our list of New Jersey Hyperlocal websites in your area and introduce yourself.
• Present your story for publication. If you do submit a story, please share it with us. Email it to heather@jointhecampaign.com.
• Request a coach to assist you if you have any questions.

Become a Political Party Committee Member- Take Charge!
Run for a Committee Seat!

Action Steps-

• Attend a local political party meeting. Introduce yourself to the Chair and the committee men and women of your election district.
• Research the committee person from your election district. How long have they had the seat? Some would like to be replaced.
• If there is a vacancy, introduce yourself to the municipal party chair and let him/her know you are interested in supporting the party and willing to fill the vacancy. The municipal clerk will give you contact info for the party chair. Vacancies can be filled at any time.
• If the seat is filled and you think you have something to offer, fun for a committee seat.
• Download & follow Guide How to Write Yourself in for County Committee  -2011
• Win election to a political party committee seat.
• Develop a Constructive Proposal for amendment of your town's political party platform or propose adoption of a platform if there is none.

• Present the Constructive Proposal to the party leaders and committee members

Become an Appointed Official - Take Charge!
Apply to Serve as a Member of a Board or Commission--

Action Steps- 

• Get a list of your town's boards & commissions from your Town Clerk or your town's website.
• Ask the clerk which boards have vacancies. Pick a board that interests you.
• Attend a board/commission meeting if never attended before. Introduce yourself to the board. Become known. 
• Get an application to serve on a board/commission from your Town Clerk, fill it out and submit it back to the Clerk.
• Lobby to gain appointment. Introduce yourself to your mayor and council representative, your political party chair and committee person.
  Let them know you have applied and follow up with them as well. Talk to other leaders in the community who can lobby for you.
• If you had a policy issue which was the reason for your interest in the board, develop a constructive proposal to address the issue and present it to the board. Learn how to develop a constructive proposal- Take the Citizen Legislator Class.
• Gain appointment to the board/commission. Request a coach to help you.
• Get your proposal passed as a Citizen Legislator.