When an activist spreads wings and runs for office

If activists were caterpillars, they would settle down on a leaf to start eating. An activist will keep chomping single-mindedly till the issue is resolved, and then move on to the next leaf, perhaps a bigger one, and to the next and the next.

But some activists undergo a metamorphosis. They grow with experience till they spin a campaign and emerge months later as elected officials. Now, like butterflies, they can't stop for long at any one spot, but must use their new-found wings to flit from issue to issue. They may bring about important change, but must always be moving on.

We each begin as activists in our own way. We have specific goals and usually a narrow focus to try to accomplish those goals. Activists bring about change by focusing on a goal and working only toward that end. It is a very powerful, albeit sometimes frustrating process.

Politicians also change the world, but through different methods. Elected officials have power to affect change through facilitation. Through communicating ideas and bringing multiple entities together, politicians create change in the world.

The metamorphosis from activist to elected official is a change in how things are done, not in ability or desire. Many people who strive to elected office prepare for this change by listening to their constituents and broadening their vision.

As an activist in San Leandro, I focused on a single issue - playgrounds for the children in my neighborhood. In 2003, through lobbying, grassroots organizing, petitions, and a single focus on that issue, we won $240,000 in playground additions for our neighborhood park. It was a satisfying experience, but had its frustrating moments. There was a two-month delay at the Recreation Commission, and more months of installation delays due to re-engineering and other decisions. But with a single purpose, this activist was able to make sure it happened.

That year I decided to run for elected office. My true nature is to have a broad vision and a need to help people. As a passionate voice for improving our town, I felt my calling was to be a facilitator on many issues, not just parks. With the help of the Sierra Club, this past February I was elected to the San Leandro City Council. I look forward to sharing the ideas of the community to create a better city.

An activist has these powers: a single focus, the ability to rally support, freedom to support an issue from only one side, lobbying power not confined by the Brown Act. These can all be utilized to reach a goal.

An elected official has these powers: a broad vision, official contact with other politicians, staff support, in-depth information from both sides of an issue. These powers give the elected official acting as a facilitator great potential to affect change.

It is an individual choice to be an activist or a politician: single-focus or broad vision, lobbying power or balanced understanding. We all want to improve our world. We just do it differently.

by Joyce Starosciak, member, San Leandro City Council