Joining the ACLU’s team as an activist is exciting and rewarding.
Volunteers across the state take part in regular opportunities to improve their community, hold elected leaders accountable, and grow the ACLU’s base of support.
What is an activist?
Although there are many definitions, we take activist to mean someone who is actively trying to improve the world by working on the issues that they care about. An activist can be anyone. An activist is simply someone who cares enough to use their time and energy to work on an issue.
Why should I take action?
When you take action, you are showing your support for a better world. If you don't act, you are showing your acceptance of the status quo and all of its inequalities, restrictions, and problems.
Throughout our history, people have continued to take actions that would improve and strengthen their communities. You do the same.
What actions have the most impact on elected officials?
Elected officials care about their constituents' thoughts, so letters, phone calls and visits to their offices can help shape their policy.
In general, the more time an action takes, the more attention it will receive from an elected official. For example, a handwritten letter carries much more weight than an email. And a personal visit to the elected official’s office carries more weight than a phone call. Elected officials know that some actions are easier to take than others.
Do elected officials read my faxes and emails?
Members of Congress do not usually read faxes or emails personally, but their staff do and report constituent feedback often. When an elected official's office receives mail from a constituent it is logged and a staff person will reply (under the Member's signature). The correspondence manager should keep track of the constituent's concern (which issue you are writing in regards to) and at the end of the week usually provides the Member of Congress or their Chief of Staff with a report that details the constituents' concerns for the week. When they receive a large amount of feedback on a given issue, it may cause them to re-think their policies on a given topic.
On a more local level, elected officials often personally read and reply to the letters and emails they receive from their constituents.
How can I affect decisions in my community?
When you decide that you want to become active, you can lobby your elected representatives and others to make choices that are beneficial to society. You can also raise awareness on the issue by writing letters to the editor. You could even start your own newsletter or organization in order to promote positive change. You'll probably be surprised at how much of an impact you can have if you put your mind to it, but don't be stopped by temporary setbacks.
Check out our action center for a list of actions you can take today.
How can I meet other activists and work together?
Check out social media to see if there are any open forums you could participate in. Keep in mind, ACLU affiliates are nationwide too. Other organizations might advertise their meetings in the classified section of local papers. You can also find other organizations by searching the web.
Where can I get training and develop skills?
There are number of ways for you to get more informed. To start, visit our advocacy resources page.
Have activists ever made a difference?
If activists hadn't made a difference, then we would still be living under monarchs, without the right to vote and without many of the freedoms and civil liberties that we prize today. This all came about because people decided to get active and create a better world for themselves and their families. Remember none of this happened by the acts of just one person, each effort was a part of a larger movement made up of thousands of people who cared enough to do something.
How can I avoid being overwhelmed?
Sometimes the complex issues, negative news and the public apathy can be very disheartening for an active individual. To avoid getting overwhelmed by these issues, there are a number of things that might help:
Instead of working on multiple issues, pick a single issue and work on that (this allows you to develop expertise and focus your energies instead of spreading yourself too thin).
Find other people in your area who are working on the same issue and coordinate with them. This will help you learn from other people's experience and work together on the issues you care about.
Consider visiting these websites for more information on how you can support your mental health:
What are my rights to protest and demonstrate?
Your rights to protest and demonstrate may vary depending on your local laws. Check out our Know Your Rights page to learn more.
How can I support the ACLU today?
How can I contact the ACLU?
- Visit our contact us page for more information.