Know Your Issue
Know your issue! Understand the historical context and power systems in play with your issue. Recognize the root causes of the issue. Connect with the key players.
Know what you are talking about. Know the current and former legislative efforts around your issue. Investigate the historical and cultural construct of the issue, which will make people more confident to trust your leadership.
Action:
Connect with the power sources at your school, community, state levels. You are a constituent. The leaders have an obligation to meet and/or talk with you, and the more informed about the issue that you are, the better. As with building community, working to have them supporting your cause will help you go further faster, without hitting potential roadblocks. This is not always successful, but worth a concerted effort.
Resources:
https://yppactionframe.fas.harvard.edu/action-frame-0
10 questions for young change makers
https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/10-ways-youth-can-engage-in-activism
Video: