Our Founding Fathers believed that the God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people. “The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow immediately from that pure, original fountain of all legislative authority.” As Americans, we are blessed with the freedom to actively engage in the political arena. As members of our Federated clubs, we have a mission to promote Conservative ideals, and can be a force for good in impacting local, state, and federal legislation.
In Maryland, bad policies move quickly through the legislative process and good policies are defeated within a few days of being introduced. We must organize and voice our opposition to or support for legislation that aligns with our principles of limited government, free markets, and the protection of our rights as citizens. It is as simple as sending emails and making phone calls, attending Caucus meetings, and supplying oral or written testimony.
Knowing our Legislators and their key staff members is vital to achieving success as an advocate. Learning how to be a good citizen activist and understanding the essential building blocks to that activism will make us effective. Federated Women wield our power not only through our numbers, but through our educated volunteerism, capable advocacy and working continually to make a difference.
According to GOPAC, the conservative education and training center, there are “four stages of a citizen-activist” and, you, as the citizen activist, may choose which level you wish in order to exert your power.
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Stage I: The Voter: The most important, least time consuming level. Not only do we ask that all Federated women to exercise their right to vote, but work fervently to “Get Out the Vote” of others.
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Stage II: The Volunteer
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volunteering for a political or initiative campaign
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educating the public
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registering voters
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distributing fliers, yards signs
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canvassing door-to-door
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attending town hall meetings
- being a legislative activist
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getting out the vote on election day
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writing letters to the editor
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joining the Maryland Federation of Republican Women
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Stage III: The Leader! Run the campaign, be a party activist, build coalitions, work the media.
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Finally, Stage IV: The Candidate! Running for elective office is the height of citizen activism.