Screw this…Let’s try something else Let’s all get started: 5 steps to action | with Jon Alexander
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Feb 23, 2026 
Jon Alexander, author and community organising advocate who helps people shift from consumers to citizens. He lays out five practical steps to get started in your place. Topics include finding others and building small teams, listening widely and starting with strengths, creating a shared vision, choosing a tangible first project, and learning by doing.
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Local Action Is Everywhere But Underreported
- Much community action is invisible because media focus is on national power centers, not local change.
- Jon says within days in a new city he could find multiple initiatives no one had told him about, showing grassroots activity is widespread.
Ask The Whole Community What They Want
- Ask your whole community what they want rather than assuming solutions.
- Use postcards, surveys, door-knocking and invite far-away voices to avoid exclusion and reduce later resistance.
Start With Strengths Not Problems
- Start with strengths not problems to generate energy and creative solutions.
- Jon Alexander cites Cormac Russell: use what's strong to fix what's wrong and move at the 'speed of trust'.