How do I sign up for the Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience?
Visit this page to sign up and join tens of thousands of Americans engaged in advocating for democracy and constitutional freedoms. Welcome!
I signed up, but am not getting the weekly email.
1. Check your spam folder or search for jen@jenniferhofmann.com in your email.
2. Tell your email program you want my email in your inbox. Follow the steps for white-listing.
3. You can always find the most recent checklist in the archives at the bottom of this page: americansofconscience.com.
I have an action to share. How can I send that to you?
Just fill out this handy form. Thank you for sharing what you know for the good of all.
Is it better to call or email my Member of Congress (MoC)?
When communicating with your senators and representative, here is the order of priority usually given to communication:
1. An in-person visit
2. A phone call or voicemail
3. An email or letter
4. Tweets and Facebook comments
If it’s an urgent issue, visit or call. For less urgent issues, email or write. Snail mail can be delayed for two or more weeks for security screening.
My MoC are progressive, should I bother calling?
- Ask them to write new legislation.
- Ask them to co-sponsor other MoCs’ legislation.
- Ask them to make public statements for/against issues that matter.
- Ask to meet them in person to discuss an issue important to you.
- Even outnumbered, Indivisible often mentions ways your blue MoCs can increase leverage in the legislative process
My MoC are red, should I bother calling?
Call. Whether you’re a blueberry in a red district or a conservative ally, our democracy is relying on your participation. Simply said, if you see actions, bills, or public statements that are contrary to our Constitution and American values, use your voice.
Tell your red MoCs:
- They need to uphold traditional (not extreme) conservative values.
- Insist that they return to regular order in Congress.
- You want them to prioritize bipartisanship and cooperation.
It might feel like you’re shouting into the void, but a call reminds your MoCs you’re in their district, and they need to get reelected.
Is it okay to call more than once about the same issue?
It does seem silly, but it is important to call multiple times. On your second (or more) call, you can say something link, “I know I’ve called about this issue before, but could you give me an update on the progress [name] has made on this?”
Often we assume that registering our opinion is the only point of the call, but you can ask for more than that. Request that your MoC make a public statement of opposition or support, to co-sign specific legislation, or to use their influence to speak to the committee in charge of an issue. This is especially suited for blue MoCs. Insist they work for your vote.
How can I influence MoCs outside of my district?
You can’t. Please don’t try. You are only the boss of your own MoCs. You elected them, and they’re here to serve you. MoCs outside your district only want to hear from their own constituents. In fact, calling other MoCs might unintentionally sabotage local activism efforts.
Two exceptions: If another MoC is doing something wrong, tag them on social media. Express clearly what you oppose and what you want. Their own constituents may catch wind and carry your efforts forward. The second exception is expressing gratitude. When an elected official does the right thing, I often suggest sending a postcard to say thanks.
I live in DC or Puerto Rico. How can I make my voice heard?
More than four million Americans are second-class citizens with no voting voice in Congress. Depending on the issue, DC and PR residents can appeal directly to Congressional committee chairs on legislation (since they represent all of us in that capacity).
DC often has last-minute protests that other Americans can’t attend, so consider those if you’re able. DC residents can also volunteer to hand-deliver letters to MoCs for their friends. In the meantime, keep working for DC statehood, PR statehood, and voting representation. I regularly advocate for these issues in my checklist.
Why don’t you recommend online petitions?
Right or wrong, many MoCs disregard petitions that come from groups with a heavy fundraising agenda or are created by the general public. A phone call is almost always a better way to be counted.
The most effective petitions are produced by reputable advocacy organizations with a history of results, research, and experience.
Why don’t you include marches and protests?
My weekly checklists include actions you can do from the couch –making calls, writing postcards, and online activism. Although I’m personally supportive of showing up in person, I want to keep the barrier to entry low stress and easy.
Other groups are doing a great job of aggregating marches, including Popular Resistance and Resistance Calendar.
Why don’t you do more actions for (insert issue)?
Americans of Conscience Checklist focuses on four issues:
- Democracy
- Voting access
- Equal rights
- Opposing ICE intimidation
The Checklist originally covered all topics, but by focusing on a few, we can get better results.
If you’re concerned about the climate crisis, my ally, Jess Elliott, creates a twice-monthly checklist called Calvin’s List, featuring exclusively environmental actions. When environmental issues impact underrepresented communities, we include them in the Americans of Conscience Checklist.
Why don’t you recommend using ResistBot?
Why do you praise Republicans?
In my weekly email, I recommend expressing gratitude to leaders when they speak up for democracy, go against their party’s group-think, and advocate for what’s right. This takes courage and integrity, and is thus praiseworthy, regardless of party.
Although some might take issue with praising “the other side”, in reality, we’re all Americans. Polarization is not helping our country. One of the ways to heal our democracy is to find common ground, no matter how small, with people we’re quick to judge or dismiss.
Gratitude is good for the recipient and the giver. Is it easy? Not always. Is it worthwhile? I believe it is.
Do you get hate mail?
Not yet. (knock wood) I’ve heard from several Republican subscribers who tipped their hats to my efforts. My conservative dad and father-in-law are both also proud of its success.
Surprisingly, the snarkiest messages come from far-left folks who think my messaging isn’t progressive enough. I’ll admit, this kind of smarts for a few days, but doesn’t stop me from believing in the power of listening, finding common ground, and collaborating with fellow Americans. I believe doing so is vital to democracy.
How do you create the checklist?
I’m a professional writer, teacher of social media strategy, and all-around research nerd who cares deeply about justice. My process:
- I obsessively read papers and magazines from around the US and world that have a high level of credibility. I reject sources that are slanted, jargon-y, or opinion-heavy.
- I’m an unrepentant Twitter fan and follow thought leaders in many areas including politics, Black leaders, Native Americans, women’s rights, immigrant rights, advocacy groups, LGBTQIA+ leaders, Constitutional lawyers, activism groups, environmental groups, satirists, artists, and more.
- I collaborate with the Action Alliance, a group of more than 60 smart activists and groups around the country who cross-pollinate actions and ideas.
- My awesome subscribers often send me action suggestions.
- In all these sources, I look for issues that put our democracy at risk to act on, as well as positive developments to celebrate.
- I edit heavily, organize, and email them to you.
- Then I start all over the next week.
It takes 29 hours to create this checklist each week, but it’s worth it. It’s much better for my well-being than nervous eating and nail chewing. Read more about my process here.
I love your checklist. How can I support you?
The best support of all is to use the document to advocate for justice and democracy. It’s icing on the cake when you share it with like-minded allies.
If you want to financially support my writing time, research, and technology expenses, donations are welcome. If you are able, becoming a regular patron through Patreon provides stable income to commit to this project for the long haul. One-time donations can be also made through PayPal. If you prefer snail mail, checks (to Jennifer Hofmann) can be sent to post office box info is here. With gratitude.
A financial note: As a self-employed professional writer, I pay federal and state taxes on all donations. For you, this means they’re not tax-deductible.
Bottom line? All support–whether emotional, practical, or financial–is appreciated more than you know. Thank you. We’re in this together. <3