In a previous article, I have explained the next step of the political revolution. Now it is time to talk about how to do this. Our revolution continues with the support of progressive grassroots candidates in all levels of elected office.

The term "grassroots" refers to a bottom-up approach, meaning that our support for these candidates comes from a large number of ordinary people. Think of the Bernie Sanders campaign and how it was supported by 8 million contributions from 2 million donors, averaging $27. Rather than receiving millions from super PACs or working with a 100 percent corporate campaign staff, our campaign relied on social media, phone banking, canvassing, and hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Essentially, we crowdfunded an entire presidential primary campaign.

None of this was in vain of course, as our campaign has paved the way for candidates in all other levels of elected office to do the same. We've shown them that it is possible to exceed expectations and to gain the support of millions. It is now our job to carry on this campaign to transform congress.

How will we do this? On August 24 at 9 p.m.. EST., Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont will be hosting a live streaming event where over 2,300 viewing parties are expected all across the country. Check the Bernie Map to find one near you or to host an event yourself. This stream will announce the launch of Our Revolution to continue our fight for social, economic, and environmental justice,

So let's get started on our goal so far:

Find Your Candidate(s)

First, make sure you're subscribed to Our Revolution, the next step of the political revolution led by Sanders and his team. You will receive updates on Sanders-endorsed candidates across the country, and generally whatever nationwide fight for progress needs our attention in any given week. Staying in the loop is crucial.

Next, check this master list to find nearly 300 progressive Sanders-style candidates running for office this year. Some of them have already either won or lost their primary. Others have yet to undergo a primary and will need our support. The primary winners will need our help for the general election in November. We should actually be very impressed with how many of these candidates have a green row on the spreadsheet, indicating their primary win!

You can choose whichever candidate(s) you would like to support. Your home state or district will probably be the easiest, as you can canvass and make phone calls to your own community and have a greater understanding of your state or district's issues than you might somewhere else.

If you are really into digital organizing and campaigning, subscribe to Our Revolution's subreddit. We've used a subreddit for the Sanders campaign, helping us organize over 230,000 users into political action. This was extraordinarily helpful to find out where our help is needed most and to generally stay on task. Even if the following activities aren't for you, there are plenty of ways to help a campaign by organizing, graphic design, writing, and data entry. Sign up to volunteer on your candidate's website and see where they can use your talents.

Phone Banking

Phone banking is one of the most effective techniques that a campaign can use. Rather than making automated robo-calls, a grassroots campaign will likely rely on volunteers putting in the people-to-people work themselves. These calls can serve a few purposes. First, they can identify voters to find out where people are leaning. This identification is important in helping the canvassers on the ground knock on those doors to follow up with the voter. As an Election Day approaches, the goal shifts more toward persuading undecided voters and reminding known supporters about the election and how to vote.

This is definitely intimidating at times, but it becomes simple and natural once you get the hang of it. I first started calling voters in New Hampshire last February, and made it through about five. I was so discouraged that I did not make another call until the week before the Alaska, Washington, and Hawai'i primary in late March. Then Wisconsin. Then New York. Then Guam. My experiences were generally more positive as I started making more calls. You will usually run into a lot more polite people than angry ones.

Our Revolution has a phone bank system available here. In the month of August, we are recruiting volunteers and making calls for Tim Canova. Our other primary winners will definitely be in the system as the general election approaches. When you research your candidate, you should be able to find their phone bank site or information on how you can help via their volunteer page. Have fun!

Canvassing

Canvassing can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, especially if you're a people person. Knocking on the doors of strangers asking them if you can count on their vote sounds scary though, right? Well, if you weren't a fan of occasionally getting some audibly annoyed voters over the phone, canvassing may actually be a better fit. Many of our Bernie canvassers found canvassing to be more pleasant than making phone calls. In my experience, I can confirm that people were much more polite in person than what I could imagine they would say over the phone.

My first canvass outing was in Connecticut prior to the Mid-Atlantic primary on April 26th. We showed up to the Stamford campaign office expecting to set out with an experienced volunteer. The reality was quite the opposite. They handed us clipboards, campaign merch, and gave us a five-minute training session to knock on 50 doors in a city I have never visited. Well at that point, there was no backing out.

I have to say, out of those 50 doors, only one guy was actually rude to us. That is a much smaller probability than phone banking! For some real interaction with potential voters, grab your bag and clipboard and try it sometime. It takes a lot of mental and physical endurance to do something like this, but it is also a valuable life experience. Make sure, if you can, that you are able to get paired up with someone who knows what they're doing so that you don't end up on your own.

Network Yourself

None of this can be done alone. The strongest grassroots campaign is one where thousands, or even millions, work together and organize. Does your community or campus have a progressive group such as Democrats, environmental or social justice advocates? Find out which groups endorse your candidate and get in touch with them as well. There should be information about that on the candidate's campaign website.

You can host or attend phone bank parties, go on canvass outings, have strategy meetings, and coordinate your efforts. Organization is absolutely key. Again as a reminder, here is the current Political Revolution subreddit. Digital activism should be a component of in-person activism, not just a substitute. However, any sort of organization you choose to do will help our cause greatly.

The idea is that you do not have to do all of this on your own. In fact, it is true that we are only powerless for as long as we are divided up. When we begin to strategize, to network, to get out on the streets and on the phones, to start winning elections, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. Turn that negative frustration with a broken system into positive motivation, and let's keep winning the rest of the primaries and eventually the down-ballot elections in November!