My laziest activism

Recent depletion of wiper fluid coincided with sap season, so each morning the new car is coated in a light mist of resilient goop. This makes westbound transit at sunset impossible. The visible world is obscured by golden glare. Although we've had the Prius since March, the wiper fluid refill brought about my first peek under the hood. Almost as cute inside as out. Low emissions never looked so good!
(Average gas mileage, (for hiway +city) is about 45 mpg. Seems like I never have to fill up. And pleasantly quiet around town in electric mode. Love this car!)

iPhone activism - after

Yehoo! Just four days after my request, Public Works came out and fixed the sign. Expect this to keep the street a little safer, in addition to looking better.

I fired off a quick thank you note from the iphone to Public Works and my councilperson, Dona Spring (so that she knows that they are doing good things). It's just one small detail of the neighborhood, but it's nice to see it fixed in a simple and speedy fashion.

iPhone activism - before

On the 15th, I fired off an email to public works re: this sign that's been unearthed from our handy circle. I feel like visuals help, so I sent them this photo from my iphone. Its my first attempt at iphone activism, where I take photos of stuff that needs some TLC in the neighborhood as I walk by. I fire off email while stuck in line somewhere. I was curious how long it would take to fix....

60 seconds at the mic

at a councilmeeting with my favorite posterboard.
Nearly every night, the city has meetings about stuff that affects our neighborhoods and daily lives in a huge way. Often, we don't know about them till a packet gets stapled up on the local telephone poles announcing something like large new construction, or a change of use "coffeeshop is going to turn into a bar with extended hours." Whether you show up just to say "i like it" or to submit a 30 page analysis, it's important! Elected officials need to hear from a variety of residents. Helps them see how on (or off) base they are with their votes.
I had no idea how nervous I'd be till I approached the mic and podium. Hands were shaking, voice warbly, but I made it through. Public speaking got easier with practice and with a few basic ideas.

Average Gals Guide to Public Speaking at City Meetings

Before the meeting:
1.) Research First, find out exactly what is being discussed and voted on - often it is a specific facet of a project, like the design, scale, hours, or transportation impacts. Share your general opinion, but speak to the issues being voted on on that night as well.
2.) Bullet list your ideas.
You can read a well-crafted letter word-for-word, but, the bullet list makes it easier to keep it conversational, hit your points, and attempt eye contact with the board.
3.) Read comments outloud. Time yourself. Edit down if needed to fit in the time. If you have a friend nearby, practice on them.

Format for Comments:
* Say your name and city you live in. If you are a homeowner/business owner, mention this.
* Applaud progress that has been made.
* State your point at the beginning and end if possible (e.g. I am here to support the new fish market... end with "please vote for new fish market")
* Visual aids help.
* Make eye contact.
* Don't say mean things. (Mean comments about the "other side" eat up your speaking time and distract from your plea.)
* Be Patient. Cities take a long time to change.
* Wait for the vote so you know if you need to come back next week with a posse.

After the meeting, pat yourself on the back, take a walk, get some thai food have an ice cream cone. You deserve it.

iPhone Activism

At the post office, i heard the lady call 39 as I pulled my tab from the red plastic dispenser. My number, "63".

No stress though.
Armed with my new iPhone, I opted to take care of some city business at the same time. Our traffic circle signs have been graffiti'd over, and one has been knocked straight out of the ground.
So, with 30 customers ahead of me, I fired off an email, including an image that I took while on the walk another day. When I got home, i made a special address book on the mac, so it would be a cinch to pull up all the city service email links the next time I am stuck in line.

This is the easiest public participation I've done.
1.) Take photos of things that need fixing whenever I happen to walk by.
2.) Send mail from phone when waiting in line at (fill in public fed, state, or local institution here).

Now, lets see if they respond. Note sent to City of Berkeley Public Works on Aug 15, 2007.