Click on images to download Download Leadership Guide Download Handcards for Meetings  Never hosted a Bible Study before? Nervous? We found a great resource from Laura Krokos of Missional Women. We recommend reading this while you prep for the Bible Study.

SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY & FINDING BALANCE

Political Female Leadership

Does running for office sound crazy right now? Probably. There a lot of local political offices that are part time. There are also appointed positions on boards you can serve on that meet less than once a month. If you could serve every other month or for a short period of time to make your community better, your parks more accessible, your town more pedestrian friendly, or make your children’s school better, wouldn’t that be a worthy cause? So often people think of politicians as something that is shiny or different, but all politicians started out as a normal citizen who had a passion. Most politicians don’t start off in Congress. They start off as a City Commissioner or School Board member. They find their fire normally because of one single issue. For too long women, especially Moms with children, have been under-represented. Time for a change.

SPEAKER OR VIDEO PROGRAM

Female elected-official, Female City Manager or top city official

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What issues are important to you in your community?
2. Are the solutions being proposed to solve that issue satisfying?
3. What is our call to serve in leadership according to the Bible?
4. Is there an issue that needs a group of Moms to solve?
5. Have you ever volunteered to work on a campaign or community issue?
6. A lot of work simply requires some work from home? Do you have a couple of hours a week to help make your community better?
7. Did you know many communities have volunteer boards to protect the environment or promote sustainability?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Visit your local government or school board website to find out the issues being addressed. Sign-up for emails.
• Find local organizing groups to get involved in.
• Take a leadership role in your local PTA or Church.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR OFF MOPS MEETING WEEKS

• Host a meeting for neighborhood moms. Ask them what their concerns are in the neighborhood.
• Contact church leadership and ask how you can serve the church in a leadership position.
• Take a local elected official to lunch. They normally only hear from constituents when something is wrong. Take them to lunch while it’s all good. If you have a relationship with an elected official before something happens it’s much easier to contact them during a crisis. 
• Write a thank you note to an elected official for their service.
• Volunteer for a campaign.

DIGGING DEEPER

We are blessed to live in the most free country in the world and yet as Americans less than 60% of us show up to vote and that's for Presidential votes. For local elections the turnout is much less. 

1. Vote in all elections. It can sometimes be hard to get to the polls. We understand. Especially if the elections end up during busy times, like the end of school or during summer vacation. And those small elections? School board, County Commission, Judges? How do you pick? We really understand.
   
   So here are some tips to make it easier. Ask friends, family or neighbors who they are supporting. Someone pays attention and can help you. Are you concerned about the local schools? Then vote for your local School Board members. What do you or your husband think about property taxes? Pay attention to your local commission races. We are not saying don't vote for national candidates but people think voting for President and their senators is enough and it is not. Also, your vote counts so much more in local races. These races because so many people skip can be dedicded by a couple of votes. Really.   
   
   Women died so we could vote. (We recommend watching Iron-Jawed Angels. You weren't taught this story in history.) So honor their sacrifice and vote. 
2. Volunteer in MOPS, PTA, or church leadership. Most people don't start off running for statewide offices. They start off small like at their church. Practice makes perfect. So why not take a position on a committee and see if it is something you enjoy? 
3. Host a meet & greet for a candidate. Don't want to serve in a leadership position? Concerned about an issue in your community? Invite a candidate to your home and include your neighbors and friends. Ask them questions and get their opinion on the issues. Have a friend host a meet & greet for the opponent. Then draw your own conclusions and share with friends and neighbors.
4. Work a local polling location. Want to get inspired about our democracy? Sign up to be a poll worker. You'll need a babysitter but you'll probably get paid a little bit and you'll see how democracy works. If you work your neighborhood polling station then you'll get to meet your neighbors. You don't have to do it every time but try it at least once. 
5. Volunteer for a local campaign. Have you ever worked on a campaign? It's quite illuminating. There are a variety of jobs you can do. Campaigns can be fun and a way to grab some girlfriends to go do some office work that saves campaigns money and gives you inspiration.