Toolkits & Resources
With the right resources and support, everyone—from first-time action takers to veteran organizers—can make their voices heard and achieve real, tangible results.
Over the years, OFA volunteers, supporters, and staff have put theory into practice and learned a lot along the way. The resources listed on this page represent a collection of helpful guidelines and best practices for effective organizing, no matter your level of experience or how much time you have (whether that’s a few minutes, or a few hours.)
The toolkits below are designed to be a good first step to get you started, but your greatest resources in organizing will be the folks in your own community—friends, family, colleagues, and other volunteers.
Toolkit
Congressional Recess Toolkit
During Congressional recess, when the Congress isn’t in session, there are some really great opportunities to engage with your elected officials and let them know what you care about. Use this toolkit to get up to speed on some of the best practices for making your voice heard at a local town hall or when visiting the local office for you member of Congress.
Guide
Visiting an Elected Official’s Office
Elected officials make decisions based on what they hear from their constituents. Speaking directly with your elected officials in person puts the issue you care about on their radar. This guide will help make sure your visit is as efficient, effective, and respectful as possible.
Guide
Community Action Meeting
Great organizers build power by bringing people together. By providing a space for people to meet, you can take the time to collectively plan and strategize next steps as a group. This guide will help you and your team move forward with a deliberate and thought-through approach.
Guide
Action Network for new users
Use Action Network’s online platform to create and promote your events. Whether it’s a house meeting, a film screening, or phone bank, this guide will help you get started.
Videos
Relational Organizing
We can have a huge impact just by leaning on the people we already know—the people who trust us. But we can’t just reach out to anyone and everyoe, we need to have a strategy. This approach is an effective way to reach the right people in the right places, no matter where you live.
Activity Guide
Friend Mapping
When races all over the country are being decided by just the slimmest of margins, we can’t leave any votes on the table, especially those of the people we know. Use this activity to identify and reach out to those in your network that need to hear from you the most.
Toolkit
Civic Power Pack
A step-by-step guide to finding something constructive to do instead of getting caught up in the national political distractions from Washington.
Toolkit
Voter Registration
Voting is our fundamental right and part of our civic responsibility to raise our voice in shaping the kind of community we want to be.
Print-at-home
Event Sign-in Sheet
Collect the names, emails, and phone numbers from the guests at your event so you can follow up with them later. Print off a few of these simple sign-in sheets and place where appropriate.
Recess Messaging
Gun Violence Prevention
Headed to a town hall this recess? Here are some questions to ask your member of Congress about gun violence prevention.
Guide
Photography Tips and Tricks
You don’t need to be a professional photographer with a fancy camera to capture your events.
Guide
Earned Media Events
This guide covers what an effective earned media event looks like, how to pitch it to the press, and what you can do online to amplify the coverage you receive.
Guide
Writing Best Practices
Share your story and your organizing in a way that’s clear, concise, and respectful. But most of all, write like a human.
Guide
Using Social Media at Events
Taking the time to think through social media opportunities around your event is an important step to amplifying your organizing work.
Guide
Writing a Letter to the Editor
This guide will discuss why LTEs are an important tool to move your issue forward, the nuts and bolts of writing your letter and, of course, getting your letter published.
Guide
Using #Hashtags and @Handles
Don’t just post your content into the void—make sure you’re plugging into the right conversations with the right folks.
Guide
Broadcasting on Facebook Live
Elected officials need to be held accountable. Use Facebook Live to broadcast key moments with just your phone to help build the pressure.
Toolkit
Community Meeting: Redistricting
The most important turning point for the future of our democracy will take place in 2021: when states redraw their Congressional and state legislative lines. We need to ensure a level playing field. We must be ready. It starts with a conversation.