The One-Hour Activist: The 15 Most Powerful Actions You Can Take to Fight for the Issues and Candidates You Care about

No matter what your political persuasion, The One-Hour Activist is your guide to influencing lawmakers, candidates, and reporters. The One-Hour Activist reveals fifteen powerful, proven grassroots actions that persuade lawmakers and candidates to see things your way. Each action is designed to grab the attention of your representatives and build relationships that serve your issues over the long run. And each action takes less than an hour to complete, so you can make a difference without giving up your life!

The One-Hour Activist is packed with insider advice from elected officials, professional organizers, lobbyists, and journalists who share state-of-the-art tips for getting your message across. Real-life examples of effective letters, e-mail, phone calls, public testimony, and news story pitches from concerned citizens just like you illustrate the actions.

The One-Hour Activist is a direct, hands-on guide for anyone (liberal, centrist or conservative) who want to make a difference in government and the world. Christopher Kush outlines 13 simple steps — each taking less than a hour — ordinary citizens can take to influence their local, state and federal representatives. The book includes a wealth of tactics and helps readers design a personal legislative agenda, craft the personal stories that are most effective with political leaders, post a letter to the editor and contact elected officials by letter or phone.

Christopher Kush is a nationally known grassroots advocacy expert. He has trained thousands of advocates to fight in a variety of issue areas. As president of Soapbox Consulting, he has created training seminars and Lobby Days for many national associations including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, and the American Psychological Association.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

The Author.

Introduction: Democracy in Action.

Part One: Gather Information and Strategize.

ACTION 1: Learn How Grassroots Advocacy Works.

ACTION 2: Pick Your Issues and Your Angle.

ACTION 3: Identify Your Representatives.

ACTION 4: Join an Interest Group.

ACTION 5: Create a Legislative Agenda.

ACTION 6: Analyze a Bill.

ACTION 7: Conduct Opposition Research.

Part Two: Contact Your Elected Officials.

ACTION 8: Write an Effective Letter.

ACTION 9: Send a Powerful E-Mail.

ACTION 10: Make a Compelling Phone Call.

ACTION 11: Persuade Others to Act.

Part Three: Get Involved with Elections.

ACTION 12: Get Out the Vote.

ACTION 13: Contribute Money to Candidates Who Support Your Cause.

Part Four: Work the News Media.

ACTION 14: Start a Press Clippings File.

ACTION 15: Write a Letter to the Editor.

Part Five: Super-Powerful Actions That Take a Little More Time.

ACTION 16: Have a Face-to-Face Meeting with Your Representative.

ACTION 17: Testify at a Public Hearing.

ACTION 18: Participate in a Protest.

ACTION 19: Volunteer for a Political Campaign.

ACTION 20: Pitch a News Story or Interview.

It’s Time for Action!