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It's Easy to get Politically Active
Submitted by Norma Bauer
When I started out, I didn't really have a plan laid out firmly in my mind. I just went to City Council meetings so I could see for myself how things work. One evening, the City Manager told me he was looking for an ordinary citizen to serve on the Traffic Safety Commission. All I had to do was read over a report they sent me before the meeting, check out the situations, and go to a meeting once a month. Citizens would come and tell us what they wanted. Then the Public Safety Director would tell us about the applicable laws, ordinances, and research on the subject. We'd discuss it, then vote on it. No problem!
When I finished up that appointment, they asked if I'd serve on the Loan Administration Board. That was a little more complicated, because it involved loans, interest, and paybacks. The City Treasurer did all the work of managing the fund. We'd interview the business people who came to us, listen to their business plan, and decide if we should lend them money, or extend the terms of their loan.
After that, it was the Zoning Board of Appeals. In that position, I learned a lot about land usage and long-term planning. In each case, I served with other ordinary citizens: retired people, construction workers, housewives. The best part was that, in Escanaba, people who serve on boards and commissions get a newsletter that described a lot of stuff that was going on in various City departments, like public works, parks and recreation, water, wastewater, etc. I felt that I knew a whole lot more about what was going on than what they published in the newspaper. I liked that!
With this experience under my belt, naturally I looked for ways to get involved once I moved to Lansing. I called up a political party and found that they could sometimes use some volunteer help. It was a chance for me to meet people and learn about various issues from the point of view of that Party. As one result, I learned that an elected official wanted some volunteer help, so I showed up over there and entered data on computers. I got to see how things work and ran into people up close and personal that otherwise I'd only see on TV!
Candidates say they can always use a little help, even if it's very humble work like shredding papers, making reminder phone calls, or helping with a mass mailing. Volunteering is an easy way to get in the door, and candidates who get elected are usually very willing to talk to volunteers who helped them out before the election!
Candidates say they can always use help, even if it's simple things like shredding papers, passing out brochures, making phone calls, or helping with a mailing. Volunteering is an easy way to start, and candidates who get elected are usually very willing to talk to volunteers who helped them before the election! The good news about getting politically active is that you can do it even if you don't know the players, don't know what needs to be done, and don't know if you have the skills they need... and if it isn't fun, you just don't show up any more! Take the first step: go to a meeting, or offer to volunteer. The candidates, staff at political parties, and elected and appointed officials will probably make you feel very welcome they generally like people who care enough to serve.
