StepUP Pathway Framework Democracy → Free Speech & Press Journey Find a 15-minute step PATHWAYS 🏛️ Democracy 🌱 📚 Select your pathway 📰 FREE SPEECH & PRESS Focus Area i FOCUS AREAS are specific skills or issues within your chosen pathway. For Democracy, options include Free Speech & Press, Voting Access, and Open Government. This narrows your pathway to concrete actions you can practice and improve at. Choose your focus FOUR PILLARS (Connect to every step) i THE FOUR PILLARS connect to every activity at every level. Whether you spend 15 minutes or 4 hours, you'll access community guides, resources, relevant policies, and contact information for responsible officials. This ensures every step is grounded in mechanics, materials, and accountability. COMMUNITY ACCESS Where to go Speak safely Help neighbors participate AVAILABLE RESOURCES One-pagers Scripts Templates Toolkits RELATED POLICY Open meetings Public records Permits & laws Accountability WHO'S RESPONSIBLE Elected officials Appointed staff Committees Direct access Contact info DATA SOURCES & API INTEGRATION City: Council, committees, records County: Board meetings, dept contacts State: Legislature, regulations, committees Federal: Congress.gov, Federal Register CBO: Budget analysis, cost estimates Library/Courts: Bill tracking, PACER, opinions Real-time integration at all levels UNIVERSAL TIME COMMITMENT SCALE Every level offers activities across this range 15 min 30 min 1 hour 1+ hrs LEVEL 1: ON YOUR COUCH Reading, watching, learning i LEVEL 1 - ON YOUR COUCH: Actions you can take from home in 5-60 minutes. Read news articles, watch explainer videos, take online classes, review FAQs, join webinars, or draft questions for public meetings. Perfect for building knowledge and preparing for more active engagement. All four pillars provide context and resources for each activity. NEWS Save outlet ⏱ 5 min VIDEO Explainer ⏱ 10 min ARTICLE Guide ⏱ 15 min FAQ Rights ⏱ 20 min WEBINAR Live intro ⏱ 30 min MOOC Module Online class ⏱ 45 min Draft questions Town hall prep ⏱ 1 hour All 4 pillars: LEVEL 2: OFF YOUR COUCH Attending, writing, participating i LEVEL 2 - OFF YOUR COUCH: Actions that take you into your community in 20 minutes to 2 hours. Use templates to write letters to editors, attend city council or school board meetings, participate in library workshops, or engage at public forums. Practice what you learned in Level 1 with real community participation. All four pillars provide support for taking these steps. TEMPLATE LTE draft ⏱ 20 min DIY KIT Talk prep ⏱ 30 min Library workshop ⏱ 45 min Council meeting ⏱ 1 hour Public forum / Event Attend & engage ⏱ 1.5-2 hours All 4 pillars: LEVEL 3: USING YOUR SUPERPOWER Organizing, hosting, leading i LEVEL 3 - USING YOUR SUPERPOWER: Leadership actions that build systems and mobilize others, taking 30 minutes to 4+ hours. Host Press & Public meetups, testify at hearings, meet with reporters, organize campaigns, research policy datasets, and facilitate community conversations. This level is about sustained impact and helping others participate. All four pillars provide the infrastructure for leadership. POLICY Review ⏱ 30 min TOOLKIT Prep ⏱ 45 min Meet reporters ⏱ 1 hr Testify hearing ⏱ 1.5 hrs Host meetup ⏱ 2 hrs DATASET Research Policy analysis ⏱ 3 hrs Organize campaign Build coalitions ⏱ 4+ hours All 4 pillars: WHERE WE PLUG IN 📚 Libraries 🏫 School districts 📰 Local outlets 🏘️ Councils OUTCOMES & SIGNALS Near-term (30-60 days): X% save outlet • Y letters sent • Z comments Capability gains: First Amendment literacy • Rebuttal skills • Facilitation System touchpoints: Press & Public meetups • Policy watch • Journalism support StepUP: From Interest to Action Anchoring people in civic pathways and guiding them toward confident public voice thechangelab.org hello@thechangelab.org