Most people think voting, petitions or rallies are the only way to make an impact as a regular citizen, but there are several other ways to make your opinions heard.

Calling Congressional officials is much easier than people realize. When I started volunteering with The Borgen Project and my local representative, I never knew just how much a simple phone call could do. After dialing, state your name and that you’re a constituent of the person, then say what you want the representative to know. It’s not uncommon for a leader to support a bill after as few as 7 to 10 people call in support of it. With a 30-second call, you can instantly get a bill/issue viewed by your leader! Anyone can call, and even leaving a voicemail still works the same.

If calling’s not your strong suit, emailing your Congressional leader can also get your voice heard. Many organizations have websites that send the email for you. The Borgen Project, at borgenproject.org/action-center, is a nonpartisan organization with the goal of ending global poverty. By simply clicking the issue and typing in your information, you can let your representatives know how you feel.

Advocacy is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. Voicing your opinions is the first step to change!

Jacob Platt,

Cranberry Township