Do you want to learn the basics of effective conservative activism?

For a limited time, we are giving away FREE copies of the "Beginner's Guide to Grassroots Politics" (volume one of the "Grassroots 101" series).

The only "catch" is that in order to get yours, you "pay" by simply posting a message to either Facebook or Twitter and help us spread the word about it.

That's it!

The Beginner's Guide to Grassroots Politics is the "how to" manual for having an impact on our political system.
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As we all know, there's a lot out there to complain about.  But if you plan to "do" something about it, rather than just complain, be sure to go about it in such a way as to have the greatest impact.

Here’s a handy list of the most basic tools you should have at your disposal if you’re going to try and build an organization at the precinct/local level that can truly have an impact on the things you care about.

A list of all registered voters in your precinct.

It’s hard to identify and organize if you don’t know who the registered voters are, (or aren’t). You can get this from your local election (or voter registration) board.

Blank voter registration forms.

For all those new people you’re going to register. Because if people aren’t registered, they can’t vote…and don’t count.

A map of the precinct.

Having a map makes it easier to get an idea of who is where and how to get to them. You should be able to get this from your local planning commission or voter registration office, (or they will know where). Try to get one with street lines and names overlaid on it.

A political events calendar.

Keep track of dates of party primaries, general elections, special elections, school board, local council and local political party meetings that you should keep people informed about.

Copies of church directories.

Having membership lists from conservative churches will allow you to cross-reference them with voter registration lists. That way, you know which registered voters go to conservative churches…and which members aren’t yet registered to vote, (so you can get them registered).  read more »

(From the Grassroots 101 series)

I've mentioned previously, the best way to impact politics is to organize at the precinct level. And the best way to organize is to put someone in charge. In terms of precinct organizing, that means a "precinct captain".

So what is a precinct captain? Put simply, a precinct captain is someone who serves as a point of contact between the people in their local neighborhood and outside conservative political groups and activities.

By distributing petitions, getting political information to conservative neighbors, making get-out-the-vote phone calls on or before an Election Day, a precinct captain can mobilize a large bloc of people to influence political and legisla­tive activities.

It is also important to understand that many of the activities of a precinct captain are seasonal. Depending on what elections are approaching or what's happening in Congress, your state legislature or local council, your focus and activity levels will vary.

The primary goals of a precinct captain

1: Identify ten other conservative activists

In order to put the meat on the bones of any organization, you need people. Which means you should try to identify others who are willing to help. Try to identify at least ten. This is the primary job of a precinct aptain. These will be the people who are the most interested in what you are doing.

The goal is to be able to quickly line up volunteers when a major project comes up and help is needed. Keep in mind that different people enjoy doing different things. Make note of what they're willing to do and use hem accordingly. There will be many different things to do and plenty of work to go around.  read more »

Whether you're organizing for a campaign, a group or just an issue you care about, there are three areas that it pays for conservatives to focus their time. And each area has different benefits as well as challenges.

Organizing by precinct

Organizing by precinct is more geographically focused and as a result it can have a more direct and greater potential impact on a specific area. Plus, the American political system is built around the precinct. Meaning that elections are held in districts which are built on different combinations of precincts, and if you're organized in the precincts you can influence an election - or an elected official who wants to run for re-election.

Organizing in churches

Organizing in churches allows you to work with people you're probably more familiar with, and are likely to have more in common with. It also has the benefit of involving people across multiple neighborhoods (or precincts), which can "sow seeds" of activism in more than one area.

Online organization

Online organization can exist on its own or as a compliment to church and/or precinct organization, (ex. online "groups" via Yahoo, Google, Ning or Facebook; or online petitions and campaigns at AktNow - or a combination). And when you organize online, you make it easier to share informatoin with others and for others to find you.

Where to focus your time?

In order to determine where you should focus your time and efforts, ask yourself the following questions:  read more »

I've spent a good bit of time in the past few years working to create a type of self-help "how to" resource for those who want to learn the basics of how to be effective when it comes to conservative political grassroots activism.  And now, at long last, it's done.

The "it" in question is "Grassroots 101: Grassroots Training Series".  Grassroots "101", as in the first in a series of resources and ebooks that will focus on "the fundamentals of political success", and "Grassroots Training Series", as in a series of three manuals that take you step by through the basics of political activism for beginners, intermediate and advanced activists.

Grassroots activism works

Conservative grassroots activism can change policy and influence decisions from the local school boards all the way to Washington, DC - but it depends on how diligent you are.  If we are going to be successful, we have to commit to doing what Ronald Reagan called "the hard work of freedom".  And that work includes community, social and political action.  And effective activism begins with knowledge.

The purpose of the Grassroots Training Series is not to be exhaustive, (that's another book!), but to cover the highlights and break down the complexities of the political system and give a basic understanding of some of the more fundamental techniques that can help you achieve success.  read more »