25 Potential Actions

Citizens Can Consider

Choose Yours NOW!

By Dolly Haik-Adams Berthelot © 2025

Right now, too many good citizens are shaking their hands and heads in Despair. Despair is the absolute absence of Hope.

Hope starts with believing there may be something we can do to get what we want, believing we somehow can achieve a goal, whatever that goal may be. 

But hope without action, or with wrong action, is futile.

Today, Dr Dolly’s Musings is focused on hope for our country. Hope that things can be better than they are right now. Or better than they seem to many of us. That hope requires Civic Action, the impetus and follow through of good citizens to take actions aimed at the well being of our country and our communities. And ideally, the larger world. I tend to call that Our Common Good. Not merely the good of myself and my people, whoever we are, but the good of the whole.

My most recent book, SCARS to STARS, emphasizes Our Common Good and ends with hope that we may move in that direction. Recently, as a culture, so far we haven’t, from my perspective, but today’s blog builds on hope that we can. This particular blog is extra long, because need is pressing and opportunities are many!

Last week’s blog provided 10 possible things that could be stopping me, my friends, or anyone from taking positive citizen action toward the common good. I suggested 10 possible blockers. I’d encourage everyone to read or reread blog 7, and consider what may restrain their positive civic action.

Today, I offer the antidote: 25 potential actions that any citizen might consider in hopes of improving things for Our Common Good.

Because we each vary in background, experience, skills, talents, personality, inclination, gender, ethnicity, education, abilities, age, health, and more, we are not likely to all fit on the same bandwagon. But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing. It means we should each accept it as our responsibility to do something—at least try to do something, for all our sakes. That something can be as different as we are, from the simplest and most obvious to the most demanding and complex. And which is which may likely vary for different people in various circumstances.

1. VOTE. Vote in EVERY election possible, no matter how minor it may seem to you. Of course voting requires the precursor, REGISTER. And the precursor of that, FOLLOW THE RULES! Learn what is required to register and to vote legally, in time, and as is best suited to you. For numerous reasons, I’ve used mail in ballots for years, and even that procedure has changed in Florida and perhaps in your area. We now must request mail in ballots even if we’ve been doing it for years. I like to vote the minute I’m allowed to, so, should I get hit by truck, or whatever, the deed is done! Others enjoy the community spirit of voting day. Just so you vote!

2. DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP OTHERS VOTE. Register people, explain the rules and requirements, provide information as requested. Offer rides if possible. Offer seats, water, snacks, as needed and as allowed.

3. STAY INFORMED, REGULARLY USING ACCURATE, RELIABLE SOURCES. Besides voting, this is our primary responsibility as a citizen in a Democracy. And without it, our voting and other actions are pretty useless. This requirement is also one of the most challenging today for many of us, ironically because of the constant bombardment of information and noise, yet, we face a dearth of quality news and must suffer the challenge of exposing ourselves to that which may be difficult, depressing, upsetting, confusing, conflicting, and other negatives. Yet, good citizenship requires good information. Our job is to find it, use it, and perhaps share it.

4.  TALK WITH PEOPLE HONESTLY AND OPENLY BUT CALMLY ABOUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOUR CONCERNS, YOUR HOPES AS A CITIZEN. ASK QUESTIONS AND LISTEN TO THEIR PERSPECTIVE, CONCERNS, AND HOPES. This has gotten increasingly difficult for many of us in recent years, as the canyon widens and we each hide in our holes or scream from different mountaintops. And as threats and tyranny seem to rise, many are frankly afraid to speak out. Not only afraid to lose jobs and freedom, but to lose friends, neighbors, even family. Yet communication research has long indicated the efficacy of interpersonal communication above all forms of persuasion. Millions of dollars may be spent on TV commercials only to have Uncle Joe or Aunt Sally influence thinking at the dining table. The more people know and like or love one another, the greater the chance the communication will be worth the risk.

5. SHARE CONCRETE PERSONAL STORIES, PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, rather than merely platitudes, statistics, and well worn cliches. “This happened to me last month (or in 1968),” rather than simply “I saw on line this week…” True stories have incredible power. See more about this at mineyourmemories.com.

6. REACH OUT ON LINE. The Internet is a viable communication option—if it is used thoughtfully and without rancor. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, Reddit, Messenger, TikTok, Pinterest, Linked in, Bluesky, Next Door, and countless blogs and web sites, any may have merit under some circumstances in the right hands, if used thoughtfully and accurately. And of course text and email people in your contacts.

7. USE YOUR WRITING SKILLS FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH AND INFLUENCE. Almost anyone can write and publish Letters to Editor, and those do get read. If you have pertinent skills and/or credentials, consider writing and publishing guest editorials, articles, web sites, blogs, and books, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Use the Internet, to be sure, but don’t overlook the still powerful printed word, wherever it’s published, and especially well established journalism like the remaining daily newspapers, local and metropolitan. And New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Huffpost, Forbes… 

8. ATTEND AND SPEAK OUT AT PUBLIC MEETINGS. This may include but not be limited to city, county, parish, state officials; school boards, college and university boards and special meetings; library boards and special meetings; civic organizations, groups to save climate and wildlife, to prevent violence and gun misuse, to inform and motivate citizens on countless worthy causes.

9. CONTACT POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES, by phone, text, email, mail. Let them know when you are displeased, but also when you are pleased. Everyone needs both guidance and kudos. This is generally fast and easy action that adds up. With politicians, numbers count!

10. $$ USE YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR GOOD. Whether you are of modest income or a billionaire, use a portion of your money to achieve your goals as a citizen. That may include donating to specific parties and candidates, of course (in our system, most can’t do it without us), but also to specific causes and issues that matter. Consider those related to education, human relations, poverty, civil and human rights, climate, conservation, separation of church and state, due process, health, death and dying, and the list goes on.

11.  VOLUNTEER FOR ANY WORTHWHILE CAUSES. Every town has needs, some short term, many ongoing. Call around and ask. Check with friends and acquaintances. Read local news.

12. JOIN PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS FOR WORTHY CAUSES. Those proliferate at different times in our history, and this is certainly one of them. Some require long walks and traveling long distances, but others may be easier and closer to home. Right now visible first of the month action seems common around the country. Such demonstrations are vital and capture more attention than anything else. However, they are not your only option.

13. INITIATE OR LEAD PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS, LARGE OR SMALL. Some towns are reacting spontaneously when someone they know is unfairly deported or worthy books are removed from shelves. Multitudes can join protests, but someone must initiate and lead each one. Could that be you or your small group?

14. PLAN, STRATEGIZE. Use your natural organizational skills and relevant specialized knowledge in communication, political science, law, organizational development, etc. to work behind the scene and help lay foundations for actions, advertisements, and other strategies to come.

15. COOK, PROVIDE NOURISHMENT. Whether you are a natural public activist or not, you may be able to supply your homemade goodies or simple sandwiches and beverages to those who are, and help keep them going. Your cookies may be just the energizer needed.

16. OFFER CHILDCARE. Anyone with children must consider them before other commitments. If you are competent with children of any age, offer services to family, friends, and neighbors who might then be willing and able to do some citizen work you can’t or won’t do. Under some circumstances, perhaps offer childcare to groups through schools, churches, libraries, and civic organizations.

17. PROVIDE MUSIC. Think of the spectacular good that has come from superstars providing music to worthy causes, the enormous funds that have rolled in. Maybe you aren’t a superstar, but you sing or play an instrument or have a small band good enough to entertain and energize during worthy events. Offer. Or, without disrupting what’s planned, simply spontaneously burst out music at some event and see what happens.

18. CONSIDER VISUAL ARTS. This one isn’t as obvious, but the novel Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng inspires me to think outside the box. (See my second blog about women authors extolling heroic or exemplary women). Artists of all kinds have, across time and culture, helped the masses see things afresh, feel things differently. Whether in painting, sculpture, photography, design, typography, computer art, etc., how might you use your visual creativity to influence? Murals, T shirts, and signs can have huge impact, but don’t ignore the possibility of one memorable painting or tapestry. Picasso’s 1937 “Guernica” jumps to mind as an anti-war statement and Rockwell’s 1964 illustration of Ruby Bridges integrating an all white school.

19. USE YOUR PUBLIC VOICE: SPEAK, PREACH. If you have a strong, clear, articulate voice and a powerful mind to match, use both in the public realm. This may mean public speaking to organizations or demonstration groups or in religious services or special events that use speakers. Even if politics, per se, are taboo in religious services, issues are legitimate. At even the most conservative church, ask often, “What would Jesus do?”

20. TEACH. Every learning level has the potential for positive influence, particularly helping students think critically and creatively. This is the opposite of indoctrination. Consider it mental vaccination against indoctrination and propaganda. If you have the ability and inclination to teach—full or part time with children, teens, or adults—doing so effectively can be one of your greatest services as a citizen. In a Democracy, everything must build on thoughtful, well-educated citizens who know the Constitution and can see through the sham. Good teachers make good citizens and thus Democracy a reality.

21. RESEARCH, STUDY, SCHOLARSHIP. Responsible academics is required to further what is known and can be known about the world, from art and philosophy through science and technology. Whether fundamental or applied, research provides the vital building blocks on which most knowledge rests. Such knowledge is ever evolving and essential to the progress of society. Don’t underestimate its potential to shape the world. If you have the skills and credentials, you may help that change be toward the greater good.

22. CLERICAL. Many offices doing good work could use extra hands and minds for such things as typing, filing, answering phones. This may not be the most exciting aspect of civic duties, but the rest doesn’t get done without it.

23. ROUTINE, PRESCRIBED COMMUNICATION. Text, telephone calls, cards. These are generally scripted by someone else, so require no content writing skills, but do require energy, accurate typing, clear and natural sounding speech, and legible handwriting—all skills that may be waning in our society. Cursive is especially limited since it has been removed from many schools.

24. RUN FOR OFFICE. This may be the least likely for most of us, but somebody must do it, and the only way to make sure of excellence may be to do it yourself.

25. WHAT ELSE? Think of every single inclination, skill, talent, or enthusiasm you have, and consider how you could make it useful for Our Common Good.

Do your part as a good citizen to nourish hope for your country and for your community. You likely can’t do everything on this list or in your imagination. Probably no one could. But you can certainly do something. And something you can do is much needed, right now.

Dr Dolly’s Musings…Blog 9 will address Empathy, the core of our humanity.

(Featured image Copyright © 2025, Dolly Berthelot, taken November 14, 2024, “Flying Forward Together.” All other images are licensed from Adobe Stock.)