1. Stay informed: Use your favorite news website or periodical to search for world news beyond the top five to ten headlines. Read your local paper. Research topics that interest or concern you. Join a non-proffit's or representative's social networking site, like Facebook or Twitter.

2. Focus on only one or two areas of need and stick with it/them. Once you've chosen a way to help, be careful not to stretch yourself too thin by getting over involved.

3. Volunteer for a non-profit organization or a city, county or state public servant of your choice.

4. Donate to a non-profit organization or to a city, county or state public servant of your choice.

5. Write a letter (not an email) to your local or state representative voicing your support or concern of an issue. Try to do steps two or three first and they'll be more likely to listen.

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