FireSociety Petitions
Ignite Your Own Citizen-Fire!

At FireSociety, we recognize that some topics warrant discussion in forums, others posting on blogs, nd still others submission as formal articles. Then there are those "I must take action" items that demand an even more organized response. That is why we have developed a custom platform that allows our FireSociety members to submit petitions for other FireSociety members can sign.

FireSociety Petition Requirements
Before a petition can be approved, it must contain at least two paragraphs:

Paragraph #1 -- Background. Provide some background on your petition (3-5 sentences) that sets the stage for the petition. The background should answer ALL the basic questions: who, what, when, where, why. Be sure to include 2-3 web links/references where signers can click to receieve more information on the issue. This paragraph begins with the heading "Background".

Paragraph #2 -- The Petition States. In this paragraph, state the precise text of your petition. If you have a target in mind for the petition (i.e. "President Bush" "Speaker Pelosi") address the petition to that person or target. Keep your petition brief and clear. Remember that you are trying to create a petition that many others will sign so do not use unnecessary inflammatory or divisive language.

Your petition MUST consist of these two paragraphs and MUST include at least two web references to be considered.

Photo/Image: It is helpful but not required if you include a photo or an image to go with your petition. This image will help attract more attention to your petition.

Go here for an excellent example of a FireSociety petition.

Additional help for signing/starting petitions.

Below are some helpful tips to get you started in launching, signing and managing your FireSociety petitions.

How do I sign a FireSociety petition?
Why kinds of issues are good for FireSociety petitions?
How do I launch a petition?
What happens after I submit my petition?
Why would my petition be rejected?
How can I manage the petitions I've signed?

How do I sign a FireSociety petition?
First you must be a member of FireSociety.com and you must be logged in. When you are reviewing the petition, click on the "sign" icon. It's that simple. Please note that the text of a petition cannot be modified, so you do not need to worry about someone changing the text after you have signed it.

You can also "rate" the petition and join the discussion thread to add your reasons for signing or share information. The petitions you have signed will also appear in your "My Account" menu. You can unsign just as easily while reviewing the Petition page by clicking the "sign" icon or from your "My Account" page.

Why kinds of issues are good for FireSociety petitions?
FireSociety petitions are a great way for you to rally other citizens around a specific cause that concerns you. It can be anything -- a national issue or a local issue. In fact, local issues are perfect for FireSociety petitions. Your petition may rally a few dozen friends, a few hundred or even thousands. If your petition really gets momentum, it is possible that Grassfire.org will expand what you started into a full-blown national petition drive!

How do I launch a petition?
Only FireSociety.com members can launch or sign petitions. Launching a petition follows a similar process as writing an article. Thus, there are four easy steps:
--Write It!
--Format It!
--Tag It!
--Submit It!

For in-depth background on these four steps, see our Article Writing Guide.

What happens after I submit my petition?
Once your petition is submitted, it will be reviewed by FireSociety staff, usually within 24 hours. At that point it will either be accepted as-is, accepted with minor edits, returned to you for revision or rejected. If it is returned or rejected, you will find it in your MyLibrary page under "unpublished items". Remember -- if/when your petition is accepted it CANNOT be modified. If it is accepted, it will show up under the MyPetitions tab.

Why would my petition be rejected?
There are three primary reasons your petition may be rejected.

1. Not in the proper two-paragraph format (see above).
2. Content more appropriate as a forum entry or an article.
3. Another nearly identical petition already exists in the FireSociety.
We encourage citizens to join other petitions instead of launching
a new nearly-identical petition.

Other reasons for rejection include: inappropriate topic or language.

How can I manage the petitions I've signed?
Visit your MyPetitions menu where you can see a list of all the petitions you have created as well as those you have signed. From here you can manage your petitions.