What does Taking Informed
Action mean to you?
Taking Informed Action
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To use knowledge, skills, and perspectives to
inquire about problems involved in public
issues;
To deliberate with other people about how to
define and address issues;
To take constructive, independent, and
collaborative action through democratic
strategies and procedures;
To utilize a variety of tools and innovative
formats to promote action;
To reflect on these actions.
Former CCHS students
Taking Informed Action
Examples
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Kathy R (2007) decided that the book Enrique’s
Journey was important for people to read
regarding immigration and economic conditions;
collaborated with the teacher; wrote a grant
proposal to the CCEF; was granted the money to
purchase copies for all ICL and Native Spanish
classes. The books were purchased the following
year.
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California Dream Act AB 130 & AB 131 –
Mitzi B. (2011) – organized a special assembly;
special guest was undocumented student accepted into
Harvard. Offered the names and addresses of elected
officials urging a phone and writing campaign to pass
legislation that helped undocumented students receive
financial aid for college.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Voter Registration and Phone Banking –
Voter Registration Foundation (non-profit) - Nick G.
(2013) – organized phone banking sessions during
lunch time for all students to participate and earn
service learning credit.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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California Death Penalty Moratorium –
Proposition 34 - Erin H. (2012) - organized a
structured academic discussion & presentation; included
guest lawyer discussing the current laws and issues of
the death penalty.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Environmental Racism – Erica W. (2010);
organized a lecture/presentation and website for two
social studies courses on how state and city policy
affects the allocation of resources throughout
communities of color.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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American Red Cross – Policy on Gay
Donors - Lauren C. (2010) - Urged members of
Congress to lift the FDA restrictions on gay blood
donors; included an online petition and letter to National
Red Cross Headquarters.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Islamophobia – In response to 36 bills or
amendments in 16 states designed to
vilify Islamic religious practices - Sarah M. &
Salina E. (2013) – made a documentary about Muslim
stereotypes and organized a lecture on ways to combat
negative images for several government courses and
the Conflict Resolution course; provided resources to
help support anti-Muslim legislation.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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California AB-953 –
Cesar P. (2014) urged state
legislators and Gov. Jerry Brown to pass and sign the
Racial Profiling law that requires police officers to collect
racial data of individuals stopped; organized a panel
discussion of police officers to discuss racial profiling;
offered eligible voters resources for further inquiry and
action on racial issues in law enforcement, including an
online petition.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project –
Andrew S. (2011)- volunteered with the Ballona Wetlands State
Coastal Conservancy; started a CCHS student club and organized
an awareness campaign; encouraged other students and
community members to volunteer; and began a letter writing
campaign urging city officials for greater funding.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Soccer Restrictions at CC Parks – Jose C.
(2009) – arranged a meeting with the Parks &
Recreation director to discuss the purposes of the
restrictions for adult soccer activities; presented a
multimedia presentation on restrictions and findings;
collected letters from the community in support of lifting
the restrictions; letters sent to City Council members.
Taking Informed Action cont.
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Mineral Mining in the Congo – US
Department of Labor - Afreen P. (2011) –
organized a boycott of international companies that
supported child labor in mining companies. Developed
an informational website and offered links to sign online
petitions to Congress.
30 Possible Actions
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Write for a public audience.
Present your ideas to a public
forum.
Use social media to circulate a
message.
Share ideas at an Open Mic event.
Create a PSA and post-it.
Share information from a survey,
oral history, interview, etc.
Create a wiki page.
Create a webinar.
Write a perform a soapbox speech.
Exhibit learning to community
members.
Create a blog.
Create an online resource on a
topic.
Participate in phone banking
Volunteer for a political campaign.
Create and distribute a leaflet.
Organize a civics fair.
Organize a fundraiser for a specific
cause.
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Participate in a community meeting.
Create a Twitter or Facebook
campaign.
Call an elected official to discuss an
issue.
Create a petition.
Create an idea for legislation and
present it to an elected official.
Organize a boycott.
Create a “kickstarter” to address a
community need.
Write a letter to an elected official.
Participate or lead a voter
registration campaign.
Organize a flash mob with a
specific message.
Start a service organization in the
community.
Begin a new club on campus.
Organize a town hall event with
elected representatives and
students.