What do you do if elected officials are unresponsive to your community organizing efforts?

First build a relationship with the elected official way before going to them with an ask, if you get the opportunity to know them and they know you on a personal/professional level, and they understand your value system, then it won’t feel like an ask when you look for support, they hopefully will be supportive of your initiative because they know you the person! Remember, business and activism move at the speed of relationships.

My friend Alan Williams is right. Show up when you have no business, get to know the person. They get to know you, too. Months or years later, when the stormclouds gather..."hey, I remember you."

Hopefully, you have set up your community project for success by meeting with any elected officials at the beginning of the process. That way you will know right off the bat whether the elected is interested in your project or not. In that initial meeting as you are discussing your project you will know if they are interested because they will ask questions or they will relate to you how this issue or project is on their radar screen. You will also know the point of contact with that elected because you will either deal with them directly or with their assistant. Always stay positive, courteous, and professional with the elected and their staff. Also, understand that your priority may not always be the elected's priority.

Contact your officials directly and make sure they (1) understand your issue and (2) are interested in helping address it. Use individual emails rather than group emails intended for public comment. Be sure you're getting ignored as opposed to simply missed signals.

As a former mayor, I tell people to start by doing your homework not only on the issue but also on what the elected official has done or said on this. Nothing is more frustrating than receiving an email from a group of folks only to reply to them that you're already doing what they're asking for. Besides, being prepared to engage tells the official that you are genuine and willing to put in the work.

This section should have one of those signs that says, "Danger! High Voltage!" The use of media, whether traditional or social, is a powerful tool but often, given it's very public nature, can quickly and unintentionally become weaponized. Advocates should remember that the use of media to bring pressure on someone is a two-way street and those who disagree can use the media to apply pressure to the advocates themselves.

Ah, the power of media, turning ordinary citizens into overnight celebrities faster than you can say "viral sensation"! Picture this: you, clad in pajamas, furiously typing away at your keyboard, crafting the perfect opinion piece for the local paper. Meanwhile, your friend's voice crackles through the radio waves as they passionately argue your cause on the morning talk show - forget coffee, that's the real wake-up call! And don't even get me started on social media campaigns; one catchy hashtag and suddenly you're trending worldwide, giving politicians more headaches than a Monday morning staff meeting. So go ahead, grab your pen, your phone, or whatever tool suits your fancy, and let's make some noise!

Reach out through media and build up support network to preasre them to stand up for their promises. However, the first step would be to bring them to a public encounter or dialugue via media and public townhall meetings... etc.

Media is a powerful tool. You can begin writing a few articles for local newspapers, request local radio programs to give a brief air time for your cause. Most of all, maximizing social media by creating a page dedicated to your cause and increasing its reach daily help you better. But this should be used with caution and awareness of legal rules governing the media.

I agree with Jake Spano this is dangerous. Now, with this said it can be a useful tool. However this can also blow back on you. Definitely only use this tool if you are well prepared, and you should only use this as a last resort.

I begin with in-person direct outreach: phone call for an appointment to visit - not in an office setting - for open conversation.

Direct media outreach is powerful in a number of ways. It is powerful because it shines light on issues that need to be addressed, can rally supporters and ultimately can influence how long political figures stay in power. This can ultimately pressure a previously uninterested public official to take notice and action.

This is always stop #1 in my mind. Call them and ask them about your concerns before you do anything. You'd be shocked, especially at the local level, how accessible they are and you may find that there's already an effort to make change related to your issue that you can be a part of.

Imagine you're on a quest to retrieve the Holy Grail, but instead of battling dragons, you're facing off with bureaucratic red tape. So, suit up in your armor of determination and charge into the battlefield of bureaucracy armed with nothing but your wits and a hefty dose of humor. Picture yourself storming into the official's office like a knight in shining armor, brandishing your concerns like a trusty sword. And when you finally come face-to-face with the elusive official, unleash your secret weapon: personal stories. It's like casting a spell of empathy that's so powerful, even the most stoic of bureaucrats can't help but shed a tear. So, my fellow questers, don't be afraid to wield your tales of triumph and tribulation.

Social media and written communication are the best ways to capture an elected official's attention. In addition, be consistent with your outreach so that you don't get lost among the countless constituents seeking their attention.

Colllaborating with other like minded groups of community members is a strong way to building momentum for raising voices to elected officials. It has been suggested that the more unified the voice is, the more strong and effective it becomes.

Collaboration with other groups can be very helpful, but it is important to avoid the “pile on”, of having multiple groups come with multiple asks/demands all together. Collaboration works best when it is focused on a key issue and a few key asks. That means being able to compromise with each other and agree on priorities before trying to engage the elected official(s). Also keep in mind the “known by the company you keep” adage. A group that has engaged in a hostile manner previously may discredit your efforts, not help them.

Picture this: you, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors, ready to take on the forces of indifference and bureaucracy. Joining forces with other groups is like forming a superhero team - you each bring your own unique powers to the table, whether it's the ability to organize community events or the superhuman talent for crafting persuasive arguments. Together, you're unstoppable. So, seek out those coalitions and advocacy groups like they're the Bat-Signal calling you to action. Strength in numbers isn't just a saying; it's a battle cry for change. With a united front, you'll be sending a message so loud and clear, even the most entrenched officials won't be able to ignore it. Let's save the day, one community concern at a time

One thing I've found helpful is having a united front on issues confronting any community. It takes a lot of hard work to unite people from different backgrounds. However, focusing on one thing that they have in common greatly helps. That is, making them realize that working together towards a common goal is better than working separately trying to achieve the same goal.

Collaborative efforts can be highly beneficial as they enable us to pool resources, share expertise, and mobilize a broader base of support. By working together with other community organizations, we can amplify our impact, increase our influence, and tackle complex issues more effectively.

While this may feel good, IMO, this is another path of last resort and someone saying, 'You're not doing what I want' was never sufficient reason for me to change my views as Mayor. The reality is a good elected official is trying to balance responsiveness and responsibility in their role. They want to be responsive to your concerns but they also need to be responsible to the broader needs of their community and region as a whole. That's the job... balancing responsive and responsible.

When all else fails, it's time to whip out the political playbook and show 'em you mean business! Think of it like a game of chess - you've got to strategize your moves to outmaneuver the opposition. Start by rallying support for a candidate who's more in tune with your community's vibe. It's like finding the perfect prom date - you want someone who'll dance to the same beat as you. And if your current officials are playing hard to get, it's time to call them out in public, like a referee blowing the whistle on a foul play. But remember, the ultimate power move is getting your community fired up to hit the polls. It's democracy in action, baby! So, grab your political pom-poms and let's cheer our way to change!

Elected officials should know that they work for the community and they are accountable for the constituency. Change doesn't always happen overnight. Stay persistent, continue to engage with your community, and keep pushing for the changes you seek. Your perseverance can make a difference over time.

Ultimately, if elected officials are unresponsive, they can and should be voted out of office by the electorate they represent. Unfortunately, that accountability mechanism is missing in states like Ohio with gerrymandered districts. However, even that obstacle can be overcome by the proposed constitutional amendment to create a citizen led redistricting commission.

Look at a different avenue. If you don’t get your answer at a local level maybe a state policy change is the answer. Or look at a different type of entity.

An important question to ask right from the start is “is this even something an elected official?” In many cases there are other processes that have to be followed, and should be exhausted before asking an elected official to be involved. In other cases, it may be that it is civil legal matter, not a public policy one. And in some cases there may be regulations/laws that restrict an elected official from being involved (which can vary between jurisdictions). Often the elected official should be the “last stop”, not the first.

Find someone who knows the legislator and bring them into the fold. Have that person attend meetings, make calls, write letters/emails, and make introductions. Keep them.

It is important to remember that responsive does not mean doing what you/your group wants. Elected officials hear from literally thousands of people a month, not all of whom may agree with you. The elected official has to balance those differing viewpoints, along with the factual reports they have from professionals, and existing legislation/regulations that may not allow them to pursue your goal. Finally they are human beings too and only have so much capacity, so they have to prioritize as well. Your cause may simply not be something they can prioritize. It is important to be willing to accept that sometimes the answer is going to have to be “respectfully, no that’s not something I can help/support you on”.

It takes tact and foresight to effectively work with our elected officials. Antagonizing them will never create support for the development of any community. The key here is to identify what is it that our elected officials care about and find a middle ground for the cause that we believe in. This is where negotiation or dialogue comes in.

It is important to note her that you need something from them. Hence, double-down approach will never bear a favourable result. It is important to do a research on the officials who align a bit with what you are trying to achieve. Hence, there is no point approaching someone who is definitely polar opposites with your advocacy. To sum it up, do your research and then plan around it afterwards when you have sussed out their views.

Lawsuits is a tremendous tool that is not mentioned in this piece. It’s not one you want to go to but can frequently get movement even with a basic demand letter from an attorney.

Finding your own way to exhibit your efforts would be great. That can be done through a set of mechanisms such as resorting to communicative strategies which can endorse the responsibility of elected officials. You can work in collaboration with transversal elected officials as consultants.