JOIN AN ACTION GROUP // If you’re super-passionate about a
community issue, it’s likely others are, too – and sometimes
they’ve already formed groups to do something about it! Local
environmental collectives often hold days where you can lend a
hand to clean up a shoreline or help to plant trees. On their own,
one-off events can feel inadequate, but over time they make a
difference, and they’re a good way to feel out an organisation so
you can decide whether you’d like to be more involved. On the
other end of the scale, refugee action groups often call out for
last-minute volunteers and activists to help with an urgent protest
or action. Getting your name on the mailing list – or even just
liking the Facebook page – can be a useful way to stay in touch
and keep an eye out for events you can attend. The more involved
you get, the more you’ll understand what feels like a comfortable
level of participation for you, personally. Maybe it’s participating
in a phone-calling action, where you ring politicians en masse
with the hopes of preventing a deportation, or maybe you’re more
comfortable on a picket line. Working with others in a group
setting is the best way to find out, safely, what you can handle.
DONATE // A reality of making change is that community groups
and organisations almost always need more money. But, even if
you’re in a position to hand over some cash, it can be a serious
whirlwind to work out where to send your dollars. If you’re totally
confused, it helps to go with organisations you trust and who are
transparent about where the money actually goes – whether to
food and services for people sleeping rough, or to campaigns and
organising, or helping newly arrived refugees set themselves up
in a new home. It also never hurts to pass over some cash when
someone sleeping rough asks you for help directly! If, like most
folks, you’re without a personal pile of donation-ready moolah, it
can be surprisingly effective to organise a fundraiser, either with
a fancy online campaign or a potluck lunch at work. Donations
come in non-monetary forms as well, so before you cart your
couch out the door to be collected for hard rubbish, take a look
for groups that could put it to use. Women’s shelters are often
hunting for clothes, sanitary products, books and good-condition
toys – just make sure to call and check they’re needed before
you organise a drop-off.
USE YOUR BODY (IF YOU CAN) // Attending rallies and marches
is one of the more obvious and visible ways to participate
in political change, and if you’re able, willing, and feel safe
to attend, then grab a bunch of friends, make some signs,
and head to the next event. Masses of bodies moving as one
send a pretty clear message that the public’s unhappy with
government decisions. But attending rallies and marches isn’t
always possible, and if they’re not doable for you right now – for
any reason – there are plenty of other ways to visibly express
your discontent. It’s easy to criticise social media, but posting
about your own experiences or in support of a marginalised
community can be an effective way to add your voice to a wave
of protest. Pinning badges to clothes and backpacks can start
conversations; hanging flags or banners from your balcony
can be a sign of solidarity and support. And, even if you’re not
attending the rally yourself, it never hurts to raise some public
awareness by advertising the event and talking about it wherever
and whenever possible.get involved