Politics Takes Preparation

With less than two years before the next General Election, many people are pondering politics on both the national and local levels. Have you ever wondered how the average Joe can get involved in politics without being born into a political family or having loads of ready cash to spread around? It is actually much easier than you may think. Here are a few simple steps to get you on the road to the City Council or even the White House.

Prepare your image.

Yes, that means cleaning yourself up and getting a haircut you can live with. Make sure your clothes fit and get yourself a few simple wardrobe staples so that you aren't always wearing worn jeans everywhere you go. This may seem like a superficial step but it really makes a big difference in how people perceive you. Besides, once you get active in politics you'll be seeing more and more news cameras around you and you don't want to be caught on camera looking like you just rolled out of bed!

Pick a team.

Sure, we'd probably all be better off if there was a Moderate Party somewhere between the Democratic left and the Republican right but there isn't one yet so you'll need to pick a team. Declaring that you are an Independent is a nice statement but there is no money to back your campaign there. Pick a team. You might consider it picking the lesser of two evils and, in most cases, it usually is, but it has to be done.

Step up.

Once you've got yourself dressed and coiffed and picked a team, it is time to step outside your comfort zone and get involved. Find out where and when your local party's Central Committee meets. Large cities have Precinct Committees but if you live in a predominantly rural area, the closest to a local committee you may get is the County Central Committee. Every state's Republican and Democratic parties have a headquarters located in the state capitol. Check their website and find out where your closest local committee is. If that information isn't available online, give the headquarters office a call. They'll be happy to tell you who to get in touch with in your local area. Once you know where and when, start going to your party's local meetings and get to know the people who frequent them. These people will be your first level of support, both financial and volunteer, when you decide to run for office.

Get your face out there.

So now you've got yourself put together, you've picked a team and you're active in the local party organization. There is still much more to do. Now you need to get involved with local civic organizations. Toastmasters is the obvious favorite because it is a club designed to help its members perfect their public speaking skills. Whether you need improvement in this area or not, Toastmasters is where you'll find local political and business leaders meeting regularly and this is a network that you'll want to work. The PTA and other volunteer committees are other great places where you'll be able to meet a wide variety of people and start creating your own network. Just remember that while joining these groups is important, it is even more important to become active and always follow through when you volunteer to do something. Otherwise, you'll be known as a slacker and that simply won't do in politics (at least not when you're just getting started). Another area you'll want to get involved in is charitable organizations. Look at how well Habitat for Humanity served President Carter and Special Olympics served Governor Schwarzenegger. Need I say more?

Make the right friends.

No matter what level of politics you start off in, there will always be the obvious and the not-so-obvious political leaders. Don't ignore anyone. Until you get deep enough into the political scene, you'll really never know who is calling the shots. The people with titles aren't always the ones in charge. Get to know everyone. When you go to luncheons and local political gatherings, seek out the people who have been involved the longest and get them to talk about your area's political history. A little history can tell you a whole lot about the political atmosphere. One group that is often ignored by political neophytes is women. Political women are some of the biggest movers and shakers you'll ever meet. Get to know them and make sure they like you. They're usually always the ones who get volunteers activated and motivated. You'll need more volunteers the farther you want to go in your political career. Nobody gets elected alone.

There you have it! The first five steps you'll have to take before heading off to the Governor's Mansion or the White House. With almost two years before the next General Election, now is the time to get started. These steps take time and there are no overnight successes in politics. Good luck!