What is Grassroots?

A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of communities.  As the term implies, the movement and the group supporting are built from the ground up from a coalition of local leaders, involved citizens, voters, and other interested parties.  Grassroots movements take many shapes and, while some are more effective than others, there is no “right” way to organize and drive such a group.  It its core, a grassroots movement, like an army, relies on the power of numbers and unrelenting passion of its members to make a difference in their communities.

Why Grassroots?

Whether you are trying to influence your local legislator to support a piece of legislation or building community support for a bond issue, political power resides with the people.  Grassroots lobbying puts legislators in contact with the constituents who hold that power.  It also connects voters with each other to drive public opinion through interpersonal contacts.  It demonstrates vocal and tangible support (or opposition) for a measure.  In a grassroots campaign, constituents tell legislators and each other how a given measure will affect them instead relying on lobbyists, public officials, or pricey ad campaigns.

• Local legislators care what local voters think and want.
• Local citizens care what their neighbors, friends, and family think.
• Whether the issue is a local millage or federal legislation, influencing local voters is key to victory.
• Lobbying and direct MASA member contact with legislators can lay the ground work, but the real influence comes from local voters.
• A group of impassioned and energized local voters can seem like an army to the legislators they elect.
• Local voters have to belief that they have a personal stake in an issue in order to contact their legislators.
• MASA lobbying success will be in direct proportion to our ability to inspire local voters to act.
• Because we never know which legislator will hold that critical swing vote, grassroots action must happen in every district regardless of size and perceived political clout.

How Grassroots Works

Grassroots must be all about building a corps of local voters who 1) believe they want and need their legislators to act and 2) are willing to voice that belief to their legislators.  The role of a grassroots organizer, then, is primarily coalition building, communication, and providing meaningful opportunities for engagement.  The tools in the following pages will provide you with guidance for each of these roles and help you build the grassroots network you will need to maximize your impact in Washington, Lansing, and your community.

Tools

• How to Build Your Grassroots Coalition
• Communicating With Your Coalition
• Engaging Your Grassroots Coalition
• Engaging the Community
• Common Communication Tools
• SOS Candidate Forum Toolkit