The premise of this workshop is that citizens, working within a powerful structure of support, can make a real difference in creating the political will to solve national and global problems including climate change and robust support for scientific research and science-based policymaking. For most people that premise is doubtful at best and absurd at worst. We are paralyzed by this strongly held, but for many, unconscious belief: while we feel we can nurture those close to us and can make a difference in our communities, most of us mistakenly believe that we can’t really make a difference in the larger world. The idea that we can be anything more than mere spectators of change at the national or international level, especially with our voices as citizens, seems ludicrous to many people. Our workshop aims to lay to rest this mistaken belief and show how grassroots advocacy organizations have empowered citizens, through training, support and proven methodology, to make quantum leaps in changing government policy.