Leadership is simply taking one more step — and helping others take it with you.
If you’re ready to move from individual advocacy to organizing people in your community, here are simple, beginner-friendly ways to step into leadership.
Start a small group (3-5 people is enough)
You don’t need a big crowd to make a difference.
Invite a few people you trust — friends, coworkers, neighbors, classmates — to join you in learning about an issue and taking shared action.
A simple first meeting:
- Introduce the issue
- Let everyone share why it matters to them
- Agree on one shared goal or message
- Choose one action to take together (emailing, calling, posting, etc.)
Small, consistent groups build real momentum.
Host a mini action event
This can be very simple and low-stakes.
Examples:
- A “Contact Your Lawmaker” hour
- A short Zoom call where everyone emails or calls together
- A group text thread reminding people to act
- A take-action table at a community event, church, school, or workplace
You create opportunities for people to act — that’s leadership.
Organize a phone bank
Phone banks sound formal, but they’re extremely simple — and you can run one from your couch.
How to do it in 4 steps:
- Pick the bill or issue
- Write a short script
- Gather 2–6 people on Zoom or in person
- Each person calls 5–10 friends or community members to encourage them to contact lawmakers
You don’t need lists, software, or experience — just people willing to act.
Plan a group visit to the Capitol
Visiting lawmakers as a group shows community strength.
Basic steps:
- Pick a date
- Gather 3–10 people
- Meet beforehand to decide your shared message
- Visit your Representative and Senator
- Each person shares a short reason the issue matters
Group visits leave a strong impression and help lawmakers understand community needs.
Connect with Together OK for support
You don’t have to do this alone.
Together OK can help you:
- Start a Together OK chapter
- Learn how to lead actions
- Get updates and scripts
- Coordinate outreach around important bills
- Join others working on similar issues
Leadership grows when you’re connected.
Ways to advocate
There is no “right” way to advocate.
Every role matters.
When you’re ready, consider taking the following steps:
- Testify at the Capitol
- Lead a local meeting
- Mentor new advocates
- Organize a group to visit lawmakers
- Host a legislator in your neighborhood
Every action you take helps shape what happens next. Whether it’s a leading a meeting, organizing a phone bank, or showing up in person, your voice matters — and it carries more weight than you might think.
