Resources for Activists

• Online Resources
  • Issue Campaigns and Grassroots Organizing through the Internet
    This is a PDF version of a presentation I did for the Public Affairs Institute of the American University in January of 2002.

  • The Electronic Activist
    The Electronic Activist is a service of the Institute for First Amendment Studies that offers an incredible selection of activism "how-to"guides regarding fighting the religious right. (Note: the full selection of how to guides and other resources are only available through the frames version of the site.) They also offer some more generic resources including:
    • Getting started in activism
    • Tips for activists
    • How to write your congressperson

  • Tools for Citizens: Tips and ideas for enhancing your political voice
    Guides for individuals from 20/20 Vision on how to speak out to policymakers where and when it counts.

  • Benton Foundation's Strategic Communications Best Practices Toolkit

  • Congress.org's Guide to Elected Officials
    Find contact and biographical information about your Members of Congress, state legislators, and other elected officials.

  • Mass Media for Activists
    Great media hints and tips on effective press releases from Peter Wirth, a partner at a public relations firm that provides services to activist organizations.

  • Congress.org's Media Guide
    Find and contact national and local media.

  • Every Voice Counts: A Grassroots Advocacy Manual for AIDS/HIV Activists
    From the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

  • Project Vote-Smart: Information on Politics, Activism, and Elections

• Books and Publications
  • Organizing for Social Change : The Midwest Academy Manual for Activists
    By Steve Max, Kim Bobo and Heather Booth. I consider this book the "organizer's bible."

  • Advocacy, Activism, and the Internet : Community Organization and Social Policy
    by Steven Hick (Editor), John G. McNutt (Editor).

  • Rules for Radicals : A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals
    By Saul D. Alinsky. This primer tells the "have-nots" how they can organize to achieve real political power for the practice of true democracy.

  • The Activist's Handbook
    By Randy Shaw. A hard-hitting guide to making social change happen. Shaw, a longtime activist for urban issues, shows how positive change can still be accomplished- despite an increasingly grim political order-if activists employ the strategies set forth in this desperately needed primer.

  • The Video Activist Handbook
    By Thomas Harding. Whether you are involved in campaigning, nonviolent direct action, or simply want to know how to make use of video as a political tool, this book is for you.