70 Ways to Make a Difference: Your Guide to Civic Action
We get asked a lot about what people can do when they’re feeling overwhelmed by national politics. We also hear a lot of “the election is over, I’m ready to go back to tuning out politics.” But now’s not the time to tune out, it’s time to lock in.
We need to realize the power we have to create meaningful change and the vibrant democracy we deserve right here at the local level. So we created a guide, designed to inspire and empower you to take those steps—big or small—that make a difference. From participating in local elections to organizing block parties, this list of 70 actions ensures there’s something for everyone to engage with.
Take a look and let us know what else we should add!
Getting Informed
1. Elections are necessary to create any kind of change, but elections by themselves are not going to get the job done. We need to know how our government works so we can put it to work for us, our families and our communities. Philadelphians can dig into our How Philly Works Guide to learn how to do just that.
2. Budgets are a moral document. We heard the campaign promises; now it is time to see what actually gets funded. This spring, Seventy will have everything you’ll need to know to demystify Philadelphia’s budget, and tools to advocate for what you want to see in it. Stay tuned!
3. Have a student or teacher in your life? Share classroom resources to help students build their civic knowledge and prepare them for active citizenship. Check out C70’s Youth Civics Programming with tools for students in kindergarten through college, and consider getting involved in the PA Civics Coalition.
4. Remember that recent history or certain historical context doesn’t always make its way into textbooks. Do the work to understand narratives about your city’s history and challenge statements that aren’t true. Read investigative journalism pieces and books that examine your city’s political culture and history of corruption, if relevant.
- For example, Philadelphia has a long history of corruption, poverty and, especially recently, violence - learn about how those issues have evolved over time and where they stand today. A Prayer for the City by Buzz Bissinger is a good place to start.
5. Visit the National Constitution Center and learn about our governing documents - the operating system of our democracy.
6. Watch debates for elections big and small and host a debate watch party to have some fun while you learn about the candidates and their positions.
- You can even make it a game by creating a bingo card!
Connecting With Government
7. Join C70’s effort to make government more transparent, accountable and effective in Philadelphia. Learn more about our Reform Agenda for Philadelphia here.
8. Know who your councilperson is? State Rep? Find your elected officials at every level of government with this helpful tool from C70.
9. The tool has contact information for every office - reach out to them to talk about the issues you care about. Find their contact info here.
- Follow your local elected officials on social media so you don’t miss an opportunity to connect.
10. Government has little incentive to improve if officials don’t think people are paying attention. Many government meetings are open to the public. You can attend in person throughout the year or stream online. A schedule of Philadelphia City Council’s stated meetings can be found here and you can watch City Council here. The meetings of many other state and local committees and governing bodies can be viewed through PCN, or visit your local government’s website for more information on attending or streaming public meetings.
11. Like other government meetings, School Board meetings are typically open to the public. Attend or watch the livestream of a school board meeting. You can learn more about attending Philly’s School Board meetings and sign up to speak or submit testimony here.
12. For Philadelphians, the Committee of Seventy partners with Lauren Vidas to provide City Hall Roll Call - a summary of everything that happened in Philadelphia City Council’s meeting each week. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox here.
13. The budget is a great way to influence local and state government priorities. Tell your council person, state representative or state senator what you think should be funded in the budget.
14. Get to know your hyper-local leaders. In Philadelphia, those are your committeepeople and ward leaders. They can help solve problems in your neighborhood and turn out the vote. Information on Philadelphia Ward Leaders & Committeepeople can be found here.
- Or become one! Run for committeeperson in 2026 using our How to Run for Committeeperson Handbook.
15. If you were on trial, who would you want deciding your fate? When you get called for jury duty, serve!
16. Don’t ignore the federal jury questionnaire when it comes to your house. Fill it out, send it back, and help ensure that defendants in PA get a fair trial.
17. If they don’t offer it already, talk to your employer about providing paid time off for jury service.
18. How electoral maps are drawn has a *big* impact on how we’re represented in government. The current process is unfair. Learn more about gerrymandering and how you can fight for fair maps in PA from Fair Districts PA
19. Philadelphia City Council draws its own district maps every 10 years following the Census. Have you looked at the map of the district you live in? Does it make sense to you? Review it now and be prepared to speak up in 2031, when Council draws new maps.
20. In 2021, the Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission ended the practice of counting incarcerated people in their place of incarceration instead of where they live when drawing legislative maps. Ending“prison gerrymandering” was an important step, but we need legislative action to ensure this unfair practice does not return in the future. Contact your state representative and senator and urge them to make prison gerrymandering against the law in PA.
Making Your Voice Heard
21. Our legislators put forth bills on all kinds of issues and often have standing committees dedicated to specific issue areas, like the environment, education, and finance. You can follow bills and meetings on the issues you care about. Philadelphians can learn more about Council committees here and follow legislation here. Information on committees and legislations for the PA Senate and House can be found here. You can also usually sign up to speak or provide testimony.
22. Write about or speak out on local issues: use your platform (social media, blog, etc.) to raise awareness on key issues and share the good work and expertise of organizations you support.
23. Work with organizations like the Pennsylvania Municipal League to amplify your city or town’s budgetary concerns at the state level.
24. In 2025, PA will elect a whole lot of judges. Many voters won’t know a thing about the candidates they’re voting for. We don’t think that’s the best way to get competent, capable judges on the bench. Our friends at Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts are leading the fight for merit-based selection of judges.
25. Work to ensure that Pennsylvania maintains or increases funding for public education in Philadelphia, get involved with The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.
Building Community
26. Connect with people who care about our local democracy, attend exclusive policy briefings and be prepared for every election by joining C70 as a member.
27. Join your local civic association. In Philly, Civic Associations or Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) are groups of neighbors that work together to improve their community - find yours here.
28. Have an issue you care about? There is likely a nonprofit organization working on that issue. Here is a searchable list of nonprofits in Greater Philadelphia.
29. Get involved with that nonprofit: learn more about their work. Consider giving them your financial support. Or sharing their good work on your socials. Or give them your time. Here are some more examples of ways to get involved in Philadelphia:
30. Serve on a local board. You can learn how to be an effective, responsible Board member from groups like Diverseforce, Young Involved Philly and others.
31. Share your skills with others: offer your expertise, whether it’s teaching, graphic design, or financial advice, to help others. You can start in a neighborhood Facebook or Next Door group, or at your local school or rec center.
32. Create a local resource map or list: identify and share free or low-cost resources (food, shelter, healthcare) available in your community.
33. Resilient communities are able to come together and mobilize resources in times of crisis. Connect with organizations providing relief to struggling communities.
34. Visit a house of worship that is not affiliated with your religion to learn more about a different community.
35. Be a better neighbor. Start by introducing yourself and get to know the names of the people on your block. Or get to know your neighbors while having some fun by hosting a block party. Apply to hold a block party or street event in Philadelphia here.
36. Check in on your elderly neighbors from time to time, especially when it snows or there is a heat wave. You can help with errands, transportation or have a conversation to help combat the loneliness epidemic.
37. Organize a carpool with friends and family to alleviate congestion (and your road rage).
38. Skip the traffic, save some cash and help the environment. Take public transportation.
- Not thrilled with your latest SEPTA experience? Advocate for public transit improvements through organizations like Transit Forward Philadelphia or by using the SEPTA Comment Form.
39. Instead of just complaining about trash in your neighborhood take 15 minutes a week to pick up trash during a walk or on your block. Or participate in a neighborhood cleanup (or organize one yourself). More on doing that in Philly here.
40. Philadelphians can report that street light that’s out here.
- Did they replace the street light and now it's blinding you? You can ask them to dim them here.
41. Request a traffic-calming survey to curb dangerous driving in your Philadelphia neighborhood here.
42. You don’t need to have kids in your local public school to support it, and your neighborhood. Make a donation, volunteer or support the friends group or PTA. Information on volunteering in the School District of Philadelphia here.
43. No one in our communities should go to bed hungry - get involved with a local food bank. If you’re based in Philadelphia, learn more about groups like the Share Food Program and Philabundance.
44. “Adopt” a community fridge to make sure it is stocked. More on doing that in Philadelphia here:
45. Support arts and culture in your community by attending, donating or volunteering at local events. Here’s a few places to get involved in Philly:
46. Create a free “little library” in your neighborhood, or make sure an existing one is stocked.Check out the Little Free Library website!
47. Read banned books.
48. Start a community garden. Philadelphians can learn more on how to get started here.
49. Communities thrive when government, nonprofits, businesses and philanthropy work together. Learn more about what the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Coalition for Inclusive Growth are doing to make Philadelphia better.
Practicing Media Mindfulness
50. Read the full article before you comment, like or share.
51. Check your sources. We all need help telling facts from fake news sometimes and the team at FactCheck.org is here to help.
52. Explore tools like Ground News that show at a glance how news outlets across the political spectrum are covering a news story.
53. Take note of the news you consume in a day and make sure you have a well-balanced media diet. Check out Seventy’s Choose Your News resources.
54. Sunshine is the best disinfectant. Celebrate Sunshine Week (March 16-22, 2025) and support local news outlets that keep us informed. Having local news sources makes a community more resilient and less partisan. Here are ways to support independent journalism:
55. Write a letter to the editor on an issue you care about.
56. Watch a documentary or listen to a podcast on a topic that is new for you. Check out our resources on Inviting Diverse Perspectives.
Voting and Election Basics
57. Elections happen twice a year, every year. Visit seventy.org for info on key dates, resources, candidates, and more.
58. You can’t vote if you’re not registered. Check your registration and make sure it is up-to-date today. You can register to vote on the PA Department of State’s website here.
59. If you’re confident you’re already registered, be sure to double-check that all your information ( party affiliation and address) is up to date. Stuff happens, and you can never be too sure. You can check your voter registration status here.
60. Did you know that you can't vote in PA Primary Elections (that often decide the winner in very blue or very red places) unless you’re registered as a Republican or Democrat? Independents and third parties aren’t allowed to vote on candidates in PA primaries.
- Think that’s unfair? We do, too. Join the movement to change it at ballotpa.org
61. Check in with family and friends to make sure they are registered to vote, they know their polling location and have a plan for voting in every election. Make sure your community has their voice heard in local elections where it makes a big difference.
- Text a few friends with the link to register and ask them to make a plan to vote in the next election (May 20, 2025)
62. PA voters should use and share our Interactive Voter Guide (ballot.seventy.org), which is updated every election and always has all the information you need to make informed choices, make a plan to vote, and create a sample ballot to share with friends and family.
63. Many voters find it difficult to find information about judicial candidates. The Philadelphia Bar Association and the PA Bar Association provide recommendations and investigate each candidate before recommending or not recommending them to the bench. Learn about their processes so you can trust them.
64. Politics at work can be tricky, but employers play a key role in creating a culture of voting and civic engagement. Our WeVote program has everything organizations need to increase civic participation while remaining nonpartisan and informative. Encourage your employer to become a WeVote partner, or if you lead an organization, become one today! More information here.
65. Do you manage employees? Give your team time off to vote.
66. Did you know that many poll workers are elected? This year, you can see your name on the ballot and commit to serving a four-year term as one of democracy’s essential workers. Stay tuned for upcoming resources and information sessions from C70!
67. Not into commitment? You can always volunteer to serve as a poll worker on an election-by-election basis. PA needs to fill 40K spots every year. Learn about becoming a poll worker and join a C70 information session starting in April.
- Seventeen-year-olds can also serve as poll workers statewide! More here.
68. Make sure the next generation is ready to vote - get involved with PA Youth Vote or Vote That Jawn.
69. If you have a candidate you support, volunteer for their political campaign. You can answer phones, knock doors, or send texts right from home.
Anything else?
70. Share this list
