HOW TO FIND THE BEST ACTIVISM METHOD
Choosing the right activism method will:
- amplify your impact,
- help sustain your motivation, and
- leverage your unique gifts.
Use the menu to explore activism examples. You can skip directly to an activism method.
- Advocacy
- Artistic Activism
- Leadership
- Legal Action
- Civil Disobedience
- Methods That Take Little Time
- Altruism
- Movement Support
Advocacy
The first activism example is advocacy. Advocacy means influencing others to change their mind or behavior. For example, organizations put on awareness days to focus attention on their cause, hoping that providing education will result in change. Another form of advocacy is support programs, like Veganuary, which supports those trying to eat vegan during January. Advocacy underlies many activism methods, such as protests and lobbying.
Artistic Activism Methods
The arts and activism might seem like an unusual pairing, but many artists use their skills for social justice. Artistic activism, or “artivism,” involves creating music, art, and other forms of expression that share truths beyond words. Have you ever wondered how to make change with your artistic skills? Browse the posts below to learn more. This method can be a powerful way to inspire change and connect with people on a deeper level.
Rahwa Hammamy comments on how artivism does not look like protesting on the streets but is
“…the creation of music and art that share truths that cannot be captured by words alone.”
Want an easier way to follow the Activism Path?
While Life At The Intersection offers a great starting point for becoming an activist, using The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Action and Change the World makes finding your perfect activism opportunity much easier. With in-depth material, hands-on exercises, and a companion workbook, you'll find the tools you need.
Get Your Copy Of The Happy ActivistLeadership
Are you a leader wondering how to make change? A lack of skilled leaders hinders activist organizations. Without enough leaders, they end up tabling work important to their movement. They need leaders who can communicate a vision, inspire performance toward a goal, recruit and develop volunteers, and make change happen.
Successful leadership is not always visible to outsiders but is vital to the success of an organization. Poor leadership may show to outsiders. In the way a coffee ring on an airplane tray table makes you wonder about maintenance on the engine, a chaotic volunteer event makes you wonder about the organization’s ability to make a difference for their cause.
Setting Goals to Achieve the Mission
One way in which leaders make an impact in their organization is through setting goals to achieve the organization’s mission. Getting the right parties involved in visioning outcomes helps focus the work and motivate volunteers.
Managing People
Another way leaders make an impact is through the management of people. An excellent non-profit leader can recruit able volunteers. Keeping volunteers happy and inspired to meet the organization’s mission is also critical.
Finally, leaders must interact with people of varying skill levels, motivations, and personalities. They must build teams, help them work together efficiently through cooperative decision-making, resolve conflict, and improve processes.
Legal Action
Legal action involves using the law to bring about change. This can include filing lawsuits, advocating for policy changes, or working within legal frameworks to protect rights and promote justice. It is a way to use skills to help others whose voices are not heard, such as the lawsuits filed in response to immigration bans. This activism type requires a deep understanding of the legal system and a commitment to using it to achieve social goals.
Civil Disobedience
A well-known example of how to make change is civil disobedience. Civil disobedience is intentionally breaking specific laws to protest against policies or actions deemed unjust. It requires careful planning and a willingness to face potential consequences. Historically, this method has been used to draw attention to issues and force change.
Social justice activists use civil disobedience to gain attention and support for their cause, and expect arrest and incarceration. For example, in July 2017, in protest of the Affordable Care Act repeal, several Unitarian Universalist ministers were arrested. Examples of this activism type are protesting at Standing Rock, interrupting Thanksgiving turkey pardons to protest animal rights, disrupting the Macy’s Parade to oppose action against undocumented youth, and blocking a freight line in Olympia, Washington, to oppose fracking.
Activism Methods That Take Little Time
Have you ever wondered how to make change if you have little time? It is disheartening when you want to make a difference but also have a job, family, and limited time. There are still impactful ways to contribute to activism for those with limited time. This can include signing petitions, donating, sharing information on social media, or taking part in short-term volunteer opportunities. No matter how small, every action can contribute to a larger movement.
Altruism
Altruism in activism involves selflessly helping others without expecting anything in return, such as supporting social justice organizations with services, monetary donations, and acts of kindness. Altruistic actions can build strong, supportive communities and create a positive impact.
You can maximize the effectiveness of your altruism. Read At the Intersection of Altruism and Economics to ensure your efforts make the most impact possible.
Movement Support
In the same way leaders can help others use their strengths, those in movement support can take care of tasks for others. Supporting others in the movement can multiply the impact of the activism community. Movement support is crucial for sustaining long-term activism efforts.
Examples of movement support include volunteer care, fundraising, and administrative work.
How to Make Change: Your Perfect Activism Type
Understanding how to make change is essential for your impact and motivation. You have a variety of activism types at your fingertips. Finding the perfect match between your passion, skills, and the most effective activism method is the key to making a real difference. I hope you found the perfect activism type among these activism examples. By aligning your activism with your strengths, you’ll be more effective and fulfilled in creating change.
Go to Step 4: How to Make Impact With Your Activism
Follow the 5-Step Activism Path
More Resources on Activism Methods
Read
- Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Round the World. The story of the largest worldwide protest in history. Links to activist organizations.
- Craftivism.The Art and Craft of Activism and Knitting for Good. A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch by Betsy Greer
- Feed the Resistance: Recipes and Ideas for Getting Involved by Julia Turshen
- Doing Good Better by William MacAskill
Browse
- Emily’s List Supporting pro-choice women candidates.
- The Diggers A guerrilla theater group from the 1960’s
- V-Day a global activist movement to end violence against all women and girls.
Use
- Change.org – The world’s platform for change.
- Veganuary “Inspiring People to try Vegan”
