Blogs

By: @Kyle Packham

Take Action Month concludes as we continue analyzing the hundreds of new bills introduced in February. In the coming weeks, State Legislators will be making critical decisions that could affect funding and impact how special districts deliver essential services to our communities.

What we started with Take Action Month — providing the tools you need to make your district an even stronger voice in your community — is only the beginning.  Now is when the real work begins to put those tools, resources and strategies into play. 

Where to begin?  Here is your Take Action Checklist:

• Take our 30-second Grassroots Mobilization Survey if you haven’t already.
• Establish a Policy for Adopting Positions on Legislation. Make sure your district is ready to respond to calls to action in the fast-moving legislative environment. Use CSDA’s Sample Policy to ensure your position is put on record.
• Start curating a contact list of media and reporters/editors in all the communities you serve, and reach out to introduce yourself
• Build a “Stakeholder Map” of the key individuals and organizations who use, benefit from, or are vendors to your operations.  If your work in any way supports their mission, they are a stakeholder, and potentially a powerful allied voice when it comes to your advocacy. 
• Check out CSDA’s webinar, “Building Relationships with Your Lawmaker’s Office” featuring a panel of actual legislative field staff discussing how you can help build relationships and partner with Legislators through their district offices
• You can also watch CSDA’s “Grassroots Advocacy 101,” which offers several tips for getting to your legislators’ attention. Spoiler alert: they actually WANT to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or send an email and invite them to coffee, or to tour your facility.
• Review CSDA’s Take Action Toolkit for all kinds of resources on how to request a meeting with your legislator, create a policy for and take positions on legislation, work with your local media, and communicate the vital role special districts play in California’s economy and infrastructure.
• Finally – Join together with local leaders throughout California at Special Districts Legislative Days on April 7-8, 2026, in Sacramento. This is a tremendous opportunity to hear from elected representatives as well as build coalitions and strengthen partnerships. You can learn more and register at https://legislativedays.csda.net/home.

If you’d like help taking these steps and taking action, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local CSDA Public Affairs Field Coordinator. These qualified team members based in your network stand ready to connect special districts with CSDA, with their federal, state, and local representatives, and with each other.

Thank you for all you do to serve your community and for being part of our cause to help special districts throughout California to best serve all of our communities.