It has to be easier to call my elected officials. This app will send phone scripts via text or notifications about causes people care about.
This project is in the super duper early stages, so I'm using this to document my thought process with the hopes that other people can help me bring it to life and improve upon it.
I was really motivated by the SOPA and PIPA campaigns that came out a couple years ago. I took action. I called my representatives because it was super easy. Now, we need to mobilize more than ever. My research shows that phone calls are by far the most effective form of advocacy. What gets in the way is that people don't know what to say. I found this spreadsheet that brillantly lays out scripts based on whether someone supports or doesn't support a given issue.
My thought is that we could use the Sunlight Foundation API that powered the SOPA and PIPA campaigns to help create customized scripts for people.
The app would send customized scripts based on data pulled from the API. Here are some specific use cases I envision:
Citizen follows an issue, such as gun violence prevention. They would recieve notifications, one at a time, with a customized script based on whether their representative's voting record on such an issue. If the representative is pro they would recieve one script, if they are agaisnt, they'd recieve a different script, if there isn't enough information to determine a stance, there would be a different script. The goal is to arm the citizen with as much information as possible so all they have to do is press a button to call.
Citizen would be notified with a special script if there is going to be an upcoming vote about a cause they care about.
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[1] - written in app, refererenced from calling sheet
[2] - From Sunlight Foundation or other API
1. MVP
2. Build a Back End
Any content that has changed in the spreadsheet will need to be updated in the app. Any such content will be moved to a back-end and the app will be updated to pull that content from the back-end.
3. Create UI for Updating Content Via BackEnd
This will allow the originator of the spreadsheet to easily modify scripts using the application.
4. Implement Sunlight API
When a user clicks Find Reps from the Landing Scene, they will be able to add their address and get a list of their representatives.
5. Implement Reminders/Notifications
Allows users to schedule reminders from inside the app that will allow them to access a call script and person to call in under two clicks.