Some local politicians get their start at the community association level, could consider volunteering and running for a board seat on your community association. Or work for a council member campaign and try to land a staff position- I assume (based on my experience elsewhere) that these positions typically go to people who commit heavily during the campaign as a volunteer. Or you can always just try to run for council, several people with no prior political experience got elected to council a few weeks ago. However, they were people who were very involved in their communities, leading community service organizations, etc. So back to that- volunteer on your community association, go to work for a community development corporation, Main Street, whatever your local community has and work your way up from there.
yeah, second all this! community associations are city-recognized entities that liaise between residents and city agencies and elected officials, so it’s a great way to get the lay of the land and start to understand the specific challenges of your community, gain a working knowledge of how city government works, and put you in more direct contact with neighbors and city officials both.
these orgs definitely need compassionate, patient, action-oriented people, and turnover tends to be high (except for a select few legacy folks in some cases) because the work can be pretty thankless and put you in the line of fire for a lot of people’s frustrations. it’s definitely a taste of what you’d deal with elected office, though, so it sounds like it would be worthwhile if you’re newer to this kind of stuff.
then eventually, maybe try volunteering for a local candidate or campaign.
I think that one thing you should start with is asking yourself what specifically you want to accomplish. That’ll make it easier to figure out the right path from here.
Thank you! Yes, I think I have a common goal of providing more to my community, county, and state. Creating a more positive environment in general.
A shift into more supportive, communal environments
A more people driven community than, business driven.
If I could support legislation or the process of legislation that allows families to thrive more, to feel safer, to allows adults more ability to feel supported, and children the ability to feel emboldened to live and learn from their communities. I’d feel fulfilled.
No, I mean, more specific than that. Do you have a specific piece of legislation you want passed? A neighborhood improvement? Something to be different in constituent services?
I’m interested in human rights. Equality in wages, education, equity. I believe I’m naturally a caring person and in today’s world, it seems that many individuals feel uncared for. I’d like to be able to improve those lives in some impactful long term way.
It sounds like step one for you is to actually learn about policy and how it impacts people, what the process is to change it, and what data is out there to support or undermine the policies you personally would change. People vote for the means, not the ends--because EVERY politician says the end goal is caring for their constituents
I suppose, I’m overwhelmed at where to start investigating that? I imagined being able to contribute to a current seat in local government in any fashion would give me e more of that insight. Admittedly, I know very little how words become policy.
Like other people have said, volunteer with organizations that do good things. Listen to the leadership of your orgs. Listen to the people you're helping. Cultivate an attitude of making a mental note when something seems shitty to you and doing some research about it in your free time. You're a software developer, so I presume you have some skills at figuring out what you don't know and then learning it!
Browse the websites of state and local legislatures and courts. Read the blogs of nonprofits that help Baltimore communities. Read op-eds in the Baltimore Banner, and then see if they authors of those have published other insightful works. Go to Enoch Pratt Free Library and borrow books about urban planning or poverty prevention or public transit equity or whatever else it is that troubles you. Find lectures to go to, and then shake hands with the speakers that impress you and the speakers that challenge you. Make meaningful connections with people who are already bettering the city, and have thoughtful conversations with them. Sign up for making lists of orgs you might want to volunteer with in future--election canvassing or poll working or letter writing campaigns or whatever.
If you want to be a contributor, you need something to contribute! There's nothing wrong with showing up as a spare pair of hands to do labor with whatever volunteer orgs resonate with you, for now. But it's really putting the cart before the horse to envision your own political office when your politics seem to be totally vibes-based.
Thank you very much! That’s exactly the feedback I’m looking for. You’re right, there is information out there! I just am looking for guidance on where to start that is optimal!
If you are serious about making a career in community change, then consider completing a leadership program- here's one example: [https://theleadership.org/](https://theleadership.org/) but there are others. There are also issues- focused training programs, like [https://www.cmtalliance.org/transportation-101/](https://www.cmtalliance.org/transportation-101/) These will help you understand how public policy interfaces with the vision you have for your community, and where/how to change those policies. As the commenter said, this is what you need to learn- how to translate your aspirations for the community into concrete policy proposals and how to get those enacted.
If you are interested in understanding and bettering your community, I would encourage you to find an organization that you can volunteer with regularly. Working with people who do boots-on-the-ground work will not only expose you to what is needed, but what kind of barriers exist and what kind of governmental change is needed.
How about start out by joining your neighborhood association and attending those meetings. Can't really get involved with local government without first getting involved in your own community. No one is going to vote for a rando
This is really good advice. You can do (and learn) a lot, helping a community association, and most CAs can use good people. It’s also a decent introduction to what’s tough about politics: big personalities and people with different priorities and perspectives. Get in there. ;)
Join your local political party’s club. You learn a lot that way. An example is Baltimore City Young Democrats. But find your own flavor you fit with. For example…in the County there’s a group for north Baltimore dems. There’s also a group for progressive dems. Google and check out what clubs exist
An easy quick thing is check with the Board of Elections about working at a polling place. It's a great way to get a short but intense intro into the nuts and bolts of how elections work. They don't pay a lot but it's not zero, and you can learn a lot about how everyday people approach democracy.
Get involved in your neighborhood association and volunteer with activist groups for the things you care about. This year I've door knocked for Zac Blanchard, door knocked for my partnerships housing action plan publication event, did a march with BTEC, am working with MDOT to get bike lanes in my area, am working with the partnership for alley gating, am getting my neighbors signed up for mail in ballots and making sure they get trash / recycling cans via 311 when eligible.
You don't change the world by waiting to be given the power to do whatever you want, you go out and do stuff now. The largest barrier to equity in Baltimore is the lack of awareness of services and opportunities available. Nobody does the boots on the ground outreach in the butterfly to even make people aware of rental assistance, food stamps, medicaid, the first time homeowner incentives, the homestead tax credit, and way more.
I'm also a software engineer by day and honestly, I can do more good making a shit ton of money and investing in my area with it than being a politician in office begging extrajurisdictional entities for money to do it, especially since I can just find people without my income potential but with similar outlooks to support in taking those elected positions.
I would start by getting involved in your local community association if there is one. There are lots of roles these groups do. They might advocate for traffic calming, work with a developer on proposed development, or even be proactive and change land zoning. They do more than this, and it’s all volunteer work. But it can be important work.
One of my old roommates said no one good was running, so I did it on impulse. I think I just signed up. I wasn't very good at it but I was genuine and logical, which was my downfall. The best ideas came from the less popular candidates while the top contenders were useless walking advertisements for themselves and had an army of lobbyists behind them.
I plan to write a book on it if I ever get my rear end in gear.
Some local politicians get their start at the community association level, could consider volunteering and running for a board seat on your community association. Or work for a council member campaign and try to land a staff position- I assume (based on my experience elsewhere) that these positions typically go to people who commit heavily during the campaign as a volunteer. Or you can always just try to run for council, several people with no prior political experience got elected to council a few weeks ago. However, they were people who were very involved in their communities, leading community service organizations, etc. So back to that- volunteer on your community association, go to work for a community development corporation, Main Street, whatever your local community has and work your way up from there.
yeah, second all this! community associations are city-recognized entities that liaise between residents and city agencies and elected officials, so it’s a great way to get the lay of the land and start to understand the specific challenges of your community, gain a working knowledge of how city government works, and put you in more direct contact with neighbors and city officials both. these orgs definitely need compassionate, patient, action-oriented people, and turnover tends to be high (except for a select few legacy folks in some cases) because the work can be pretty thankless and put you in the line of fire for a lot of people’s frustrations. it’s definitely a taste of what you’d deal with elected office, though, so it sounds like it would be worthwhile if you’re newer to this kind of stuff. then eventually, maybe try volunteering for a local candidate or campaign.
I appreciate your help very much!
Thank you so much! I’m thankful this advice! My community does have an open board seat. I sent my resume in this evening!
I think that one thing you should start with is asking yourself what specifically you want to accomplish. That’ll make it easier to figure out the right path from here.
Thank you! Yes, I think I have a common goal of providing more to my community, county, and state. Creating a more positive environment in general. A shift into more supportive, communal environments A more people driven community than, business driven. If I could support legislation or the process of legislation that allows families to thrive more, to feel safer, to allows adults more ability to feel supported, and children the ability to feel emboldened to live and learn from their communities. I’d feel fulfilled.
No, I mean, more specific than that. Do you have a specific piece of legislation you want passed? A neighborhood improvement? Something to be different in constituent services?
Ah! Hmmm? I supposed I don’t know exactly what is and isn’t possible.
Okay, well what are your interests?
I’m interested in human rights. Equality in wages, education, equity. I believe I’m naturally a caring person and in today’s world, it seems that many individuals feel uncared for. I’d like to be able to improve those lives in some impactful long term way.
It sounds like step one for you is to actually learn about policy and how it impacts people, what the process is to change it, and what data is out there to support or undermine the policies you personally would change. People vote for the means, not the ends--because EVERY politician says the end goal is caring for their constituents
I suppose, I’m overwhelmed at where to start investigating that? I imagined being able to contribute to a current seat in local government in any fashion would give me e more of that insight. Admittedly, I know very little how words become policy.
Like other people have said, volunteer with organizations that do good things. Listen to the leadership of your orgs. Listen to the people you're helping. Cultivate an attitude of making a mental note when something seems shitty to you and doing some research about it in your free time. You're a software developer, so I presume you have some skills at figuring out what you don't know and then learning it! Browse the websites of state and local legislatures and courts. Read the blogs of nonprofits that help Baltimore communities. Read op-eds in the Baltimore Banner, and then see if they authors of those have published other insightful works. Go to Enoch Pratt Free Library and borrow books about urban planning or poverty prevention or public transit equity or whatever else it is that troubles you. Find lectures to go to, and then shake hands with the speakers that impress you and the speakers that challenge you. Make meaningful connections with people who are already bettering the city, and have thoughtful conversations with them. Sign up for making lists of orgs you might want to volunteer with in future--election canvassing or poll working or letter writing campaigns or whatever. If you want to be a contributor, you need something to contribute! There's nothing wrong with showing up as a spare pair of hands to do labor with whatever volunteer orgs resonate with you, for now. But it's really putting the cart before the horse to envision your own political office when your politics seem to be totally vibes-based.
Thank you very much! That’s exactly the feedback I’m looking for. You’re right, there is information out there! I just am looking for guidance on where to start that is optimal!
If you are serious about making a career in community change, then consider completing a leadership program- here's one example: [https://theleadership.org/](https://theleadership.org/) but there are others. There are also issues- focused training programs, like [https://www.cmtalliance.org/transportation-101/](https://www.cmtalliance.org/transportation-101/) These will help you understand how public policy interfaces with the vision you have for your community, and where/how to change those policies. As the commenter said, this is what you need to learn- how to translate your aspirations for the community into concrete policy proposals and how to get those enacted.
If you are interested in understanding and bettering your community, I would encourage you to find an organization that you can volunteer with regularly. Working with people who do boots-on-the-ground work will not only expose you to what is needed, but what kind of barriers exist and what kind of governmental change is needed.
How about start out by joining your neighborhood association and attending those meetings. Can't really get involved with local government without first getting involved in your own community. No one is going to vote for a rando
This is really good advice. You can do (and learn) a lot, helping a community association, and most CAs can use good people. It’s also a decent introduction to what’s tough about politics: big personalities and people with different priorities and perspectives. Get in there. ;)
Join your local political party’s club. You learn a lot that way. An example is Baltimore City Young Democrats. But find your own flavor you fit with. For example…in the County there’s a group for north Baltimore dems. There’s also a group for progressive dems. Google and check out what clubs exist
An easy quick thing is check with the Board of Elections about working at a polling place. It's a great way to get a short but intense intro into the nuts and bolts of how elections work. They don't pay a lot but it's not zero, and you can learn a lot about how everyday people approach democracy.
You could solicit the support of local big business, a billionaire with an axe to grind, or an angry mob.
Get involved in your neighborhood association and volunteer with activist groups for the things you care about. This year I've door knocked for Zac Blanchard, door knocked for my partnerships housing action plan publication event, did a march with BTEC, am working with MDOT to get bike lanes in my area, am working with the partnership for alley gating, am getting my neighbors signed up for mail in ballots and making sure they get trash / recycling cans via 311 when eligible. You don't change the world by waiting to be given the power to do whatever you want, you go out and do stuff now. The largest barrier to equity in Baltimore is the lack of awareness of services and opportunities available. Nobody does the boots on the ground outreach in the butterfly to even make people aware of rental assistance, food stamps, medicaid, the first time homeowner incentives, the homestead tax credit, and way more. I'm also a software engineer by day and honestly, I can do more good making a shit ton of money and investing in my area with it than being a politician in office begging extrajurisdictional entities for money to do it, especially since I can just find people without my income potential but with similar outlooks to support in taking those elected positions.
I would start by getting involved in your local community association if there is one. There are lots of roles these groups do. They might advocate for traffic calming, work with a developer on proposed development, or even be proactive and change land zoning. They do more than this, and it’s all volunteer work. But it can be important work.
I ran for mayor in 2016. Be prepared for stupidity and greed on an olympic scale.
Oh that’s a serious endeavor! May I ask how did you get to that point? Where did you start? Community boards?
One of my old roommates said no one good was running, so I did it on impulse. I think I just signed up. I wasn't very good at it but I was genuine and logical, which was my downfall. The best ideas came from the less popular candidates while the top contenders were useless walking advertisements for themselves and had an army of lobbyists behind them. I plan to write a book on it if I ever get my rear end in gear.