Identify an Issue 
Research the Facts
Begin Networking 
Define your Agenda 
Contact the Power Brokers 
Launch the Electronic Crusade 
Generate Online Publicity 
Celebrate the Potential for Cyber-Change
 
Main Index of Cyber Activist Web Site 
Take an Interactive Quiz to determine your Potential as a Cyber Activist 
Gain inspiration from Case Studies of how other Cyber Activists achieved victory 
Tour other web sites devoted to political activism 
Too many issues and too little time? We can help you brainstorm which priority issue to tackle first 
View current legislative alerts on burning issues 
Share your opinions and accomplishments via our Guestbook Survey (link to remote host) 
Easy ways to contact elected officials online 
Tips on how we created this site. Plus source credits. 
Visit the main web site for co-author Sherri Andersen 
Visit the main web site for co-author Elizabeth Brunner 
 
STEP SIX:  Launch the Electronic Crusade.  From creating a political web site to sending out emails and posting legislative alerts, you can trigger reform. Develop an electronic Call-to-Action which includes details on the proposed legislative or policy reform, lists of appropriate elected officials or decision-makers to be contacted, sample text to be included in lobbying messages, and facts to bolster your argument. 
 
Launch an electronic petition drive.  Encourage supporters to email you with a brief message, signature block, and specified subject line.  Then compile the messages by cutting and pasting into word processing.  The full collection of electronic petition can then be printed for hand delivery or sent as an attachment to decision-makers. 
 
Think creatively about dramatic ways to spread your message and influence change.  For example, your web site might include downloadable and printable paper dolls dressed in the distinctive fabrics of Guatemala. For a campaign to protest the United States' intervention in Central American, the dolls could be hand-colored and snail-mailed to legislators. As other possibilities, you might have downloadable fliers, fact sheets, logos, and web banners. 

Use your web site as an online educational forum.  Post responses received from legislators. Include a feedback form, chat room, or guestbook survey to encourage discussion.  Provide reciprocal links to organizations working on similar issues. 

Show me a sample action alert!   
Step Seven: Generate Online Publicity 
 
 
Created by Sherri Andersen & Elizabeth Brunner
For Dr. Doug Smith's English 511 at Cal Poly
Updated on February 21, 1999