Civic Toolkit
Gear up for the good fight.
This is where big ideas become real-world action. The Civic Toolkit is your hands-on, unapologetically grassroots, Mansfield-made hub for everything you need to make local change. We’re talking resources that are actually useful—no fluff, no lectures. Just clear tools, creative solutions, and real power in your hands.
🛠 What You’ll Find Here:
Templates for Raising Hell (Politely) Emails, scripts, and talking points to hold your school board, city council, or mayor accountable—with style. FOIA 101: Records Without the Runaround Learn how to file a Public Information Act request the right way. Or let us handle the hard part—we’ve got forms for that. Speak Up Without Selling Out How to give public comment at meetings without freezing, rambling, or getting written off. Bonus: Tips on showing up smart and loud. Local Power Map Who really pulls the strings? We break it down with original visuals, explainers, and receipts. Because influence shouldn’t hide in plain sight. DIY Democracy Projects Whether it’s starting a voter drive, building a block group, or exposing a zoning scam, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step. Think Pinterest board, but for political accountability.
💥 Coming Soon:
The Bullhorn Library Printable fliers, social media kits, yard sign designs, and rogue posters for when the moment calls for artful disobedience. The Watch List Companion Learn how to track suspicious land deals, campaign finance connections, and political favors—before they hit the headlines. Civic Side Quests Mini-challenges that help you strengthen local influence without burning out. Think: 15 minutes a week to become a better thorn in the side of power.
🧭 Why It Matters:
If you’ve ever felt like civic life is some secret club with a dress code, we’re here to blow the doors off. This toolkit is for the artists, the parents, the pissed-off voters, the first-time advocates, and the “I’m-not-political-but…” crowd. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to care—and we’ll meet you there.
📩 Have something to add?
Drop your tools, tips, or tricks here: [Submit a Resource Button]
💬 Want us to dig into something for you?
Start here: [Request a Custom Toolkit Button]
🔧 MISSING OR UNDERUTILIZED TOOLKIT PAGES
✅ Already Listed (Good!):
Crisis Response Referrals Request Investigative Support Report a Problem Call to Action Center
These are solid! But here’s what we still need to add or break out more clearly based on the draft content and intent of the Civic Toolkit:
🚨 Recommended Additional Pages (With Purpose)
FOIA Help Desk A standalone page that walks people through exactly how to file a Texas Public Information Act request, with downloadable templates, contact info for city/school records officers, and links to request assistance if needed. Public Comment Guide Tips for giving effective remarks at meetings—ideally with an embedded video or infographic. Include what to expect, what not to say, and how to be taken seriously without being silenced. Accountability Templates A full collection of: Email scripts Social media pressure posts Letter-writing campaigns These should be grouped into categories like “School Board,” “City Council,” “Commissioners Court,” etc. Local Power Map A visual breakdown (PDF/interactive graphic) showing who holds influence in Mansfield—by elected position, donor, business, and backchannel. Can be linked to the Watch List or Business Influence page. The Bullhorn Library (Coming Soon section) A home for ready-made fliers, social graphics, yard sign art, and shareables—especially helpful for building future campaigns. Civic Side Quests (Also Coming Soon) These could live in a fun visual grid: mini-challenges like “Email your rep this week,” “Bring a friend to a council meeting,” “Request one record,” or “Comment on a local issue.” Trackable via buttons or PDF downloads. Submit a Tool Turn that “Submit a Resource” call to action into its own form-based page where users can upload docs, link graphics, or offer techniques you can vet for inclusion.
🧩 Suggested Restructure of Toolkit Section Hierarchy
Under “Civic Toolkit”
→ FOIA Help Desk
→ Public Comment Guide
→ Accountability Templates
→ Local Power Map
→ The Bullhorn Library (Coming Soon)
→ Civic Side Quests (Coming Soon)
→ Crisis Response Referrals (already linked)
→ Report a Problem (already linked)
→ Request Investigative Support (already linked)
→ Call to Action Center (already linked)
→ Submit a Tool (new form)