GET INVOLVED: Welcome to our STEP IT UP! page
The last several years have reinforced some fundamental truths:
Whether you’re passionate about a cause, want to get more involved in politics or government, or want to help others, you can increase your IMPACT. This page will help you to:
The last several years have reinforced some fundamental truths:
- Democracy is not a “spectator sport” – we can only keep it alive if we pay attention and participate
- We need each other to thrive, not simply to survive
- There is no Planet B
Whether you’re passionate about a cause, want to get more involved in politics or government, or want to help others, you can increase your IMPACT. This page will help you to:
- Explore opportunities to step up your community and political involvement
- Find ways to help within CCMF
- Assess your current impact
- Challenge your friends to Step it Up! too by playing the Step it Up GAME at your group gatherings
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Task/Activity |
Opportunities and Information |
Behind the scenes |
Public facing |
Support a Cause |
No matter your passion, there are MANY organizations that need volunteers. Google keywords to find local organizations that offer opportunities to work on causes important to you. Here are a few examples: Environment: https://www.sierraclub.org/pennsylvania/southeastern/chester-county Education and poverty: https://www.ccfutures.org/ Civil Rights: https://chesconaacp.org/ Reproductive rights: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved Domestic violence: https://www.dvcccpa.org/become-a-volunteer SPCA: https://bvspca.org/get-involved/ |
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Volunteer at a Food Bank |
Donate food, pack boxes, receive donations, prepare food, distribute food. Contacts:
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Register to Vote |
Help every citizen 18 years or older in your household to register. Go online to www.vote.pa.gov OR Get a paper application (in English or Spanish) from Voter Services: 601 Westtown Rd, West Chester 610-344-6410 |
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Write postcards to voters |
Our CCMF Voter Outreach committee can connect you with local, State and national postcard initiatives all designed to get out the vote. Go here to inquire about and connect with current postcard campaigns: https://www.ccmarchingforward.org/voter-outreach.html |
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Educate through social media |
Our CCMF Social Media committee creates original content to educate voters about legislation, upcoming elections, ballot questions, and national issues that impact our local community. You can:
Click here to learn more: https://www.ccmarchingforward.org/voter-education--messaging.html |
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Be a Poll Worker |
These are the people who work inside the polling places on election day, signing voters into the poll book or helping at the scanning machine. Contact www.chescodems.org to find out which precincts need help. For Poll Worker FAQs: https://www.chesco.org/287/Poll-Workers Sign up for Poll Worker training: https://www.chesco.org/287/Poll-Workers |
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Be a Poll Watcher |
These are the people assigned by the Party or a Candidate to observe voting at the precincts on election day and report problems. In a Primary only Candidates/campaigns assign poll watchers. In General elections, Candidates AND Parties assign poll watchers. Contact www.chescodems.org to find out how to sign up and receive training. You can also contact a candidate’s campaign directly to volunteer to be a poll watcher for them. |
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Register others to vote |
There are many opportunities to register people. Contact our Voter Outreach committee to find local initiatives sponsored by CCMF and our partner groups including the Black Women of Chester County in Action (BWCCA) and #OurVoiceShouldBeHeard: https://www.ccmarchingforward.org/voter-outreach.html In addition, these are all excellent organizations to check out: New Pennsylvania Project: https://secure.everyaction.com/3MK4caM_P0i4RNmilg-iag2
League of Women Voters of Chester County: https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-chester-county Black Voters Matter: https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/take-action/ Voto Latino: https://votolatino.org/get-involved/ Rock the Vote: https://www.rockthevote.org/get-involved/
When We All Vote: https://whenweallvote.org/take-action/volunteer-with-us/
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Write Letters to the Editor |
Speak out about a topic or current events. Write and submit letters to these local news publications. Check the links for wordcount limits and submission logistics:
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Help a Candidate or Campaign |
Campaigns always need lots of help. Examples:
Visit www.chescodems.org to see who’s running and find links to their websites, then contact your campaign of choice to see what’s needed. |
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Help your local Democratic Zone |
Find YOUR Zone and Zone Leader and their contact info here, then reach out to ask what’s needed and when monthly meetings are held: https://chescodems.org/about/zones/ |
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Volunteer to help the Chester County Democratic Committee |
Complete the Volunteer inquiry form here: https://chescodems.org/volunteer/ |
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Run for a leadership role in the Democratic Party |
These are the ELECTED leadership roles in the Democratic Party: Committeepeople are the front line of the Democratic party. They are responsible for getting out the vote in their precinct and work as greeters at your polling place on election day. Zone Leaders and Assistant Zone Leaders organize efforts of the Committeepeople in their geographic zone, recruit candidates, fundraise, and run monthly public meetings. The Chester County Democratic Committee is run by a leadership team made up of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Zone Caucus Leader. They lead all County Party efforts, fundraise for candidates, and help ensure election integrity. Democratic State Committee people elect State party leadership, hold statewide candidate endorsement conventions, pass and promote a party platform, elect members of the DNC, act as a communication liaison between state and county, and help lead organizing efforts across the commonwealth. Contact the Chester County Democratic Committee for information about these positions and the qualifications needed: www.chescodems.org |
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Run for public office |
Thinking about taking the plunge into public service? Good for you!! Many local offices are not full-time jobs, requiring just a few meetings a month. If you are employed full time, you could be a township supervisor, school board director or Mayor without leaving a paying job. And some positions only work during elections, such as Judge of Elections, Inspectors and Constables. Other offices are full time positions with a salary and benefits, such as US Senator, US Congressperson, State Representative, State Senator, County Commissioner, Judge, Sheriff, or County Row Officer:
To learn about the different positions, contact your Zone Leader or the Chester County Democratic Committee office: https://chescodems.org/about/zones/ www.chescodems.org And regardless of which office you consider running for, the campaigning process is the same. Click here for CCMF’s manual for Democratic candidates: Running for Office Practical Handbook MASTER.pdf |
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let us know using the form below.
2. Find ways to help within CCMF
There are so many ways to get actively involved with CCMF and help our efforts to engage and educate VOTERS in Chester County!
National threats to our democracy are playing out right here at the local level. There is an urgent need to counteract rampant propaganda with FACTS so citizens can be informed voters.
We can do more when we have more people who bring new ideas, perspectives, subject matter expertise, and skills to the group – technical, creative, and organizational. Click here to find out about opportunities to assist, organize, create and lead within CCMF:
https://www.ccmarchingforward.org/get-involved-in-ccmf.html
3. Assess your CURRENT IMPACT - Take this quick Step it Up quiz to so a self-assessment of your current impact:
Step 1: (1 point each)
____ Pay taxes
____ Am registered to vote
____ Vote in every election (2x/year)
____ Bring a dish or a friend to community events
____ Follow factual news source(s)
____ Help a neighbor in need
Step 2: (2 points each)
____ Vote 2x/year, in Primaries and General elections
____ Research candidates on the ballot
____ Attend community or political events
____ Follow legislation on issues
____ Set up/take down candidate yard sign(s)
____ Donate $ to a Candidate or social cause
____ Write to elected officials
____ Volunteer as a poll greeter or driver on election day
Step 3: (3 points each)
____ Encourage voting by writing post cards
____ Participate in phone or text banking to voters
____ Educate others about issues or legislation
____ Distribute sample ballots, party literature
____ Display Candidate or cause yard sign(s)
____ Host Candidate fundraisers
____ Write letters to the Editor
____ Use social media to educate and influence
____ Canvass neighborhoods
Step 4: (4 points each)
____ Register others to vote
____ Work on a political campaign
____ Serve as a party committeeperson or Zone Leader
____ Donate time or skills to a cause or community organization
____ Lobby elected officials
____ Blog, podcast or provide training on issues
____ Serve as a poll worker or poll watcher
____ Mentor others
Step 5: (5 points each)
____ Manage a political campaign
____ Run for office
____ Serve as an elected official or Judge of Elections
____ Serve on a non-profit Board
____ Run a political or nonprofit organization
My total points: ________
Interpret your score:
Target Score By (date)
4. Challenge your friends and groups to Step it Up! too by playing the Step it Up GAME
Are you in a community group or on a team that does political work? Do you meet remotely on Zoom sometimes? If so, you can spice up your meetings and motivate your colleagues by playing our interactive online slide game TOGETHER, called Step It Up!
The game is free, fun, easy to host, and very engaging. A computer and cell phone or tablet is all the equipment needed. We’re happy to answer questions and assist you as you learn how to run it. If you’re interested, please let us know using the form below.
2. Find ways to help within CCMF
There are so many ways to get actively involved with CCMF and help our efforts to engage and educate VOTERS in Chester County!
National threats to our democracy are playing out right here at the local level. There is an urgent need to counteract rampant propaganda with FACTS so citizens can be informed voters.
We can do more when we have more people who bring new ideas, perspectives, subject matter expertise, and skills to the group – technical, creative, and organizational. Click here to find out about opportunities to assist, organize, create and lead within CCMF:
https://www.ccmarchingforward.org/get-involved-in-ccmf.html
3. Assess your CURRENT IMPACT - Take this quick Step it Up quiz to so a self-assessment of your current impact:
Step 1: (1 point each)
____ Pay taxes
____ Am registered to vote
____ Vote in every election (2x/year)
____ Bring a dish or a friend to community events
____ Follow factual news source(s)
____ Help a neighbor in need
Step 2: (2 points each)
____ Vote 2x/year, in Primaries and General elections
____ Research candidates on the ballot
____ Attend community or political events
____ Follow legislation on issues
____ Set up/take down candidate yard sign(s)
____ Donate $ to a Candidate or social cause
____ Write to elected officials
____ Volunteer as a poll greeter or driver on election day
Step 3: (3 points each)
____ Encourage voting by writing post cards
____ Participate in phone or text banking to voters
____ Educate others about issues or legislation
____ Distribute sample ballots, party literature
____ Display Candidate or cause yard sign(s)
____ Host Candidate fundraisers
____ Write letters to the Editor
____ Use social media to educate and influence
____ Canvass neighborhoods
Step 4: (4 points each)
____ Register others to vote
____ Work on a political campaign
____ Serve as a party committeeperson or Zone Leader
____ Donate time or skills to a cause or community organization
____ Lobby elected officials
____ Blog, podcast or provide training on issues
____ Serve as a poll worker or poll watcher
____ Mentor others
Step 5: (5 points each)
____ Manage a political campaign
____ Run for office
____ Serve as an elected official or Judge of Elections
____ Serve on a non-profit Board
____ Run a political or nonprofit organization
My total points: ________
Interpret your score:
- 6 points minimum: Active Citizen
- 7 - 15 points: Helper
- 16 – 45 points: Influencer
- 46 – 74 points: Change Agent
- 75 – 100 points: Leader
Target Score By (date)
4. Challenge your friends and groups to Step it Up! too by playing the Step it Up GAME
Are you in a community group or on a team that does political work? Do you meet remotely on Zoom sometimes? If so, you can spice up your meetings and motivate your colleagues by playing our interactive online slide game TOGETHER, called Step It Up!
The game is free, fun, easy to host, and very engaging. A computer and cell phone or tablet is all the equipment needed. We’re happy to answer questions and assist you as you learn how to run it. If you’re interested, please let us know using the form below.