Do not hang back from involvement in addressing the problems of the world, waiting to become an expert. You are expert enough. Take your part in the great dramas and the great struggles now still in their opening acts in this world. It is the part where you storm on stage with a confused but mischievous look and the audience cheers you madly. Don't wait to know the part too well, or the moment will pass without you.

- Doris "Granny D" Haddock, 93, is the chairwoman of the "Our Town Votes" project. She walked across the U.S. in 2000 to support cleaner political campaigns with fewer strings attached to special interests and is a personal "shero" of the MAU Founders!

Declare it in our houses of government…

This is perhaps our most important role — when we stand in our houses of government and prove we are a force to be reckoned with. British policies affect every child on earth and touch every corner of our lives. It’s time mothers* in this country have a hand in shaping our own policies. Our government leaders have been hired to spend our taxes and make decisions that will affect all of us for generations to come.

Never be sheepish about speaking up on an issue, even repeatedly; that is our job in a democracy. And they depend on our feedback to let them know what we want! Remember: you are their ally — build a relationship with them. For your information: respect, tenacity and accurate information go a long way toward being heard.

Search for the truth. With all these candidates vying for your favour, how do we separate the schmooze from the truth? The speeches all sound good, but you have to ask yourself, “Is this guy kissing my baby because he likes my baby, wants my vote or because he’s committed to funding programmes that support kids?” REALLY good question! Visit their Websites and watch the paper for an opportunity to see them in the flesh.

Voice your opinion. Contact your government leaders. Calls are always important, emails less so, but LETTERS are terrific. A HANDWRITTEN letter has more influence than a computer generated one with words like “therefore” and “inasmuch” and “whereas." A personal letter lets your representatives know that there’s a real person out there who knows what’s up and can organize.

10 DOWNING STREET, LONDON SW1A 2AA (Fax) 020 7925 0918

Your first fax may be scary, but after that you’re a pro.

Get to know your elected officials. It’s time to let your candidates know you are passionate, courageous, and informed and you VOTE! After you have a few calls and letters under your belt, it’s time to deepen your relationship with the folks who do most of the work — the aides. Call your Minister's offices and ask for the staff member who focuses on children’s welfare. Tell them you are a Mother* Acting Up and would like to be sent all information regarding the candidate’s stand on children’s welfare. YOU ARE ALLIES — know their names, passions and point of view. Ask for them in the future. A good relationship with an aide can get your voice heard in that office. ”Getting to know you, getting to know all about you…” Hum along….

Field trips are fun! Are you up for a visit? Now that you have a working relationship, and even if you don’t, taking a trip to your elected Minister's office can be very powerful. Organize a group of mothers* and children to discuss specific and timely issues. MAU did this in the US after the start of the Iraq war so that children could ask their questions — going directly to the source — to key decision makers. Children tend to be more straightforward in their questioning and often demand this same response from their leaders.

For the tools you need to organize a field trip and declare it in your houses of government