Based on Monday’s training on Good Public Policy: Grassroots Organizing and Electoral Politics, what you think the role of grassroots organizing is in the political process of this country?

Based on Monday’s training, grassroots organizing does more than just mobilize citizens to vote.  Grassroots organizing is an effective way to get individuals empowered to solve issues in their community.  This approach often leads to outcomes that are more desirable since those who are having the problems prescribe solutions.  The government often uses a top-down approach to solve most problems.  However, while this approach can be effective, it can also only solve parts of a problem.  Grassroots organizing uses a bottom-up approach that aims to include all actors being affected by a problem. This way, all angles of the problem can be recognized and solved.  Grassroots organizing empowers communities not only to change their community for the better, but it also mobilizes the community to engage civically.  This keeps elected officials accountable and responsive to the needs of the community.  Grassroots organizing is also an effective medium to get community organizers elected as public officials.  Getting community organizers elected to positions in the local School Board or City Council promotes communities to be responsive to their government.  However, it also empowers communities to demand change when public officials are not delivering results.  Change is achieved by organizing protests, letter campaigns, or petitions.  More importantly, it leads communities to voice their vote through the ballot box.  Making communities civically engaged by organizing them to solve their own issues is an effective way to promote livelihoods and democracy.  The tools presented at this training will surely be asset for me as I continue in my career as a public servant.