Start a Petition

Have a specific action you want to take? The power to create change lies within each of us. If you have a cause close to your heart or an issue in your community that demands attention, starting a petition can be your catalyst for change. Whether you want to stop a harmful project, initiate a review, or request a vital alteration, a well-crafted petition can rally support, raise awareness, and influence decision-makers.

What About Petitions?

Key Characteristics

  • Petitions provide a platform for individuals to unite and amplify their voices on a particular issue, demonstrating that many people share the same concerns.

  • Petitions are an accessible and democratic way for citizens to initiate change, as they require no special skills or resources to create and sign.

  • Petitions draw attention to important causes and often garner media coverage, increasing public awareness.

  • Petitions offer a structured format for presenting clear goals, supporting information, and a call to action, making it easier for supporters to understand and get involved.

  • There are several online petitioning platforms that allow you to create a petition, share it, and collect signatures at no cost. These platforms are designed to make it easy for people to initiate and promote petitions on a wide range of issues.

    However, keep in mind that while creating and promoting a petition may be free, there could be associated costs if you decide to take additional actions to support your cause.

    For example:

    • Printing and Mailing: If you collect physical signatures on a paper petition, you may incur costs for printing copies and mailing them to the recipient.

    • Promotion and Outreach: While online platforms offer free petition hosting, you might choose to invest in advertising or promotional efforts to reach a larger audience and gather more signatures.

    • Legal Consultation: If your petition involves legal or regulatory matters, you might consider consulting with legal experts, which could come with associated fees.

    • Activism and Advocacy: If your petition leads to further activism or advocacy efforts, such as organizing events or meetings with officials, there may be costs associated with these activities.

    You can create a budget and plan accordingly if you anticipate these additional costs.

Why You Would Start One

  • You understand that no battle can be won alone, and you want to build support for a particular cause. Creating a petition allows you to build a network of like-minded individuals who share your cause and want to make a difference.

  • Petitions bring attention to underreported or overlooked issues, educating the public and decision-makers about their significance.

  • Petitions exert pressure on authorities, organizations, or governments to address the concerns raised, holding them accountable for their actions or inactions.

  • Successful petitions with clearly defined goals can lead to changes in policies, regulations, or laws, directly impacting the lives of individuals and communities. A truly democratic tool!

  • Did we mention it won’t cost you a dime?

Step-By-Step Guide To Writing a Petition

  • Clearly and precisely defining the cause, issue, policy, or project you want to address is the cornerstone of a successful petition. It provides a compelling narrative that not only explains the issue at hand but also resonates with potential supporters.

    A well-defined cause outlines the problem's scope, its impact on individuals or communities, and why it demands attention and action. It serves as the rallying point that unites people who share a common concern, giving them a clear reason to support your petition.

    The more effectively you define your cause, the stronger your petition's foundation, and the greater its potential to inspire change.

  • Identifying the right recipient for your petition is critical. By precisely targeting the individual, organization, or authority that has the power to enact the change you seek, you increase the chances of your petition achieving its intended impact.

    Effectively identifying your recipient demonstrates a clear understanding of the issue, streamlines the process, minimizes delays, and maximizes the petition’s potential for success.

  • Write a compelling petition statement that concisely explains the problem and why it matters.

    See more information on this step below!

  • You planted the seed, now you must help it grow. A little goal-setting and promotion can go a lot way here.

    1) Set Goals: Establish a target number of signatures you aim to gather and a timeframe for your campaign.

    2) Promote Your Petition: Share your petition through social media, email, your local newspaper, and other channels to reach a wider audience. Encourage supporters to share the petition with their networks to increase its reach.

    Tips: Write a letter to the editor about your petition and where to find it to increase its visibility and success!

  • Once you've reached your signature goal, submit the petition to the appropriate decision-makers or authorities.

  • Continue to monitor the situation and engage with your supporters. If your petition receives media attention or prompts a response from the recipient, share these updates with your supporters. It’s a great way to keep the momentum going!

    (We would so appreciate if you also shared your petition with us at Common Duty!)

Let’s Get To It!

Writing your first petition is an exciting process, and we’re here to make sure it’s not overwhelming. Following the basic structure below, you can create a compelling petition that garners the support needed to make change in your community!

Simple Petition Structure

  • Start with a concise and attention-grabbing opening sentence that clearly states the purpose of your petition.

    Provide a brief overview of the issue you're addressing and why it's important. Be specific, concise, and focused on a single, achievable goal.

  • Clearly outline the specific goals or demands you want the recipient to meet. Be explicit about the action or change you're seeking.

    Use bullet points or numbered lists to make your goals easily digestible.

  • This is where you can combine the personal and the professional aspects of the cause.

    Providing essential background information about the issue, including relevant facts, statistics, or research summaries adds credibility to your petition and strengthens your argument.

    Always cite reputable sources and include links or references where possible!

    Including personal stories or testimonials from individuals who have been affected by the issue adds a human element to your petition and makes it more relatable.

    Don’t hold back on using real-life examples to illustrate the problem's real-world impact; these can often be more successful in promoting emotional responses of support.

  • What action do you want your petition supporters to take? State this clearly using action-oriented language to make it easy for them to understand and follow through.

    Encourage supporters to share the petition with others and join in spreading the word!

  • Think of this as a TL;DR (too long; didn’t read).

    This is where you can summarize the main points of your petition and emphasize the urgency and importance of your cause.

    Reiterate the call to action and express gratitude to supporters for their participation.

  • Here’s an example of what your petition might look like:

    Title: Stop Plastic Pollution in Swan Lake

    We, the concerned citizens of the City of Swan Lake, are deeply troubled by the growing problem of plastic pollution in our area. It's high time we take action to protect our environment, the quality of Swan Lake, and the health of our community.

    Statement of Goals:

    We petition the City of Swan Lake to:

    -Implement a comprehensive recycling program in our community.

    -Ban single-use plastic bags in local stores.

    -Promote and incentivize the use of reusable bags and containers.

    Supporting Information:

    Recent studies have shown a significant increase in plastic waste in our community, leading to harmful effects on our wildlife and ecosystems. This pollution threatens our health and the beauty of our surroundings.

    More and more community members have come forward with personal stories of plastic degradation in our city.

    “I've lived in Swan Lake my entire life and have witnessed the devastating impact of plastic pollution on our local lakes and parks. Last year, I saw a turtle entangled in a plastic bag in our own community. This heartbreaking sight made me realize that we must take action now to prevent further harm to our environment and the creatures that call it home.” -Janet Dean, 74

    “Growing up in Swan Lake, I always treasured our local parks and nature reserves. However, since moving back here during the pandemic, I've noticed a distressing amount of plastic waste littering these beautiful places. During a family picnic last summer, my children were dismayed to see plastic bottles and bags scattered around the lake we used to swim in. It was a wake-up call for us as a family. We realized that our cherished outdoor spaces were at risk due to plastic pollution, and we decided to take action. Together, we've been volunteering to clean up our local parks, but we need comprehensive changes to truly combat this issue. Please help us protect our natural treasures by signing this petition.” -Dionne Jackson, 34

    Call to Action:

    We urge all concerned citizens of the City of Swan Lake to:

    -Sign this petition to demonstrate our collective commitment to combat plastic pollution.

    -Share this petition with family, friends, and neighbors to increase its impact.

    -Attend local town hall meetings and engage with local officials to voice our concerns.

    Conclusion:

    Together, we can make a significant difference in reducing plastic pollution in our beloved community. Let's act now to protect our environment and the well-being of future generations. By signing this petition, you're joining the fight for a cleaner, healthier Swan Lake.

    Thank you for your support!

    Louise Jenkins

    Resident of the City of Swan Lake

Change.org

Free Petition Platforms

Petitioning has never been easier. Free survey platforms offer user-friendly tools to create, distribute, and analyze surveys on a wide range of topics. Check out a few of the most widely-used below to unlock the potential of a more democratic decision-making process!

Care2

iPetitions

Did you start a petition?

Please share it with us so we can share it with the Common Duty community! Together, we can inspire action!