Ask an Expert: Dana Brown
Ask an Expert is PULSE’s advice column featuring the perspectives of Chatham faculty, staff, and community members. In each column, our resident experts will tackle a new conundrum that they’re uniquely qualified to solve or, at least, provide insight on. In this edition, Dr. Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and assistant professor of political science explains how to do more than just vote.
I want to be more civically engaged. what should I do besides vote?
Great question. There are many opportunities for engagement that go beyond voting. As a matter of fact, our democracy requires that citizens be active participants in our communities in order for them to thrive. So, whether you are able to vote or not, here is a list of engagement opportunities open to everyone:
Stay Informed
In a time where fake news on social media outlets can confuse the most well-intentioned citizen, it is important to know what is actually happening in the world and where the information is being sourced. In order for folks to make the best decisions for themselves and their communities, we must share a set of common facts. We strongly recommend learning about the issues of the day from trusted sources like your local newspaper or national news outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, or USA Today. These news outlets rely upon journalistic standards to source their reporting, which is different than infotainment found on cable news networks or ideological blog posts. Lastly, just because your Uncle Herman posted it on Facebook does not make it fact.
Show Up
If you are interested in making a difference in your community, show up to local government meetings. Most township/borough, city/county council, school board meetings, etc., are open to the public (unless they are in an executive session). While they are open to the public, few community members actually attend the meetings. If you want to influence public policy, show up to meetings to learn about the issues and network with the elected officials responsible for the decisions.
Volunteer on a Political Campaign
There are so many opportunities within campaigns to participate! Do you like to talk on the phone? Volunteer at a phone bank. Do you like talking to people in person? Volunteer to door knock. Do you like organizing parties? Volunteer to host a fundraiser. Campaigns are social events, so you will meet like-minded people in the process of supporting a person you believe in. Find a campaign and join it.
Every year in Pennsylvania is an election year. The “odd years” (e.g. 2019, 2021) are municipal election years. The “even years” (e.g. 2020, 2022) are state and federal election years. So, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer on a campaign. As the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, we especially want to encourage folks to find a woman candidate that they agree with and help her as a way to help increase gender diversity in our governments, since Pennsylvania historically has not done so well with women in elected office. Currently, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, we are ranked 33rd in the nation, regarding the proportion of women serving in the state legislature, with 25% of the legislators being female.
Create a Petition
What do you want to change? One way to start the process, is to organize. Organize a petition in your neighborhood and present it to the town council. A petition is a great opportunity to connect with your neighbors and demonstrate support for policy change to elected leaders. You can create petitions virtually, the old-fashioned way, or both. The more signatures you gather from your district, the more the elected leader will know that the issue is a priority.
March
Demonstrate your desire for change by marching in the streets. There are examples on both sides of the aisle to channel your anger into something positive. Marches are an opportunity to physically show your support or displeasure with public policy by showing up in the streets. These are wonderful opportunities to speak loudly and collectively. Enjoy getting creative by making a sign and being social by bringing a friend with you.
As you can see, there are many different ways to be engaged with your community in addition to voting. Voting, however, is still extremely critical. If you have not yet registered to vote or you recently moved, feel free to use our TurboVote tool to do so.
Dr. Dana Brown began her tenure as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and assistant professor of political science at Chatham University in July of 2010. Dr. Brown earned her doctorate in American Politics and Women and Politics at Rutgers University where she also received her master's degree in political science. Dr. Brown has presented research on women in politics, political psychology, political media, and political participation by women of color.
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