If you’ve ever felt like nothing you post, share, or say about politics is breaking through anymore, you’re not alone.

The way people get their news has changed. Most Americans now absorb politics through social media, group chats, and everyday online interactions, often incidentally, not intentionally. Research from Pew and Navigator shows that a growing number of people are “passive news consumers,” picking up political information from friends, family, and people they already trust, rather than from traditional news outlets. That means something important as we head into the 2026 election cycle:

Everyday people, not politicians or campaigns, are now the messengers.

In today’s closed, algorithm-driven media environment, messages don’t travel far unless they’re repeated by people within existing networks. That means grassroots messengers, ordinary Democrats, volunteers, and community members are now one of the most powerful forces in shaping what people hear, believe, and take seriously. But most of us were never trained for that role. We’re sharing articles, reacting to outrage, and arguing online, and it still feels like we’re yelling into the void. Not because we don’t care. Not because people don’t care. But because the old rules of political communication don’t work anymore.

To help us navigate this new reality, we’re excited to invite you to a new messaging training:

• Unmuting Our Message: How to Talk About Politics in a Way People Actually Hear

• Tuesday, February 17th, 2026

• 7:00 pm Central

• Presented by Unmute Alabama

This training isn’t about going viral, memorizing talking points, or winning online arguments. It’s about learning how to communicate in a way that builds trust, cuts through noise, and helps everyday people become steadier, more effective messengers, especially in the lead-up to 2026. During this session, we’ll explore:

• Why most political messaging isn’t landing anymore and what’s changed.

• The different goals of messaging (activating the base, re-engaging disengaged Democrats, persuading persuadable voters, and correcting misinformation) and why each one requires a different approach.

• Why values must always lead, no matter what your goal is.

• A simple, repeatable framework for values-based messaging.

• Real examples of how to turn a news article into something calm, clear, and still emotionally resonant.

• How grassroots messengers can amplify messages inside their own networks in a way campaigns and organizations simply can’t.

This training is designed for everyday Democrats, volunteers, and activists, not communications professionals. If you care about what’s happening in Alabama and want to be a steadier, more effective voice in your community and online, this is for you. You don’t need to be louder. You don’t need to be angrier. You don’t need to sound like a press release. You just need a better toolkit for the world we’re actually living in and a clearer sense of the role grassroots messengers will play in 2026.

We hope you’ll join us.

If you're a committed Alabama Democrat and would like to serve the party, consider joining the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC)!

You are invited to join UDVAL over Zoom for this month's Alabama Blue School as we discuss the SDEC with Tabitha Isner, Vice Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party.

Alabama Blue School is a monthly virtual discussion with Democrats from across the state where we learn a new topic and share what we know. We generally meet over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.

No registration needed this month.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7229026648?omn=89782192370

Who: United Democratic Volunteers of Alabama (UDVAL)
What: Alabama Blue School
Topic: “How and Why You Should Join the State Democratic Executive Committee.”
Instructor: Tabitha Isner
Date: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7229026648?omn=89782192370

Visit our website to learn more about us: https://udval.org/

The topic this month is 'How to Connect with Your Neighbors Politically," by Elizabeth Anderson.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lfIdWvCDRBuujAWEEg37Ag

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. The topic this month is “How to Stay Motivated in the Face of Loss." Our teacher will be Melanie Kakwitch.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DMm1zRJXRaOOfg76kgAqTg

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. The topic this month is “Partnering with the Press." Our teacher will be Baldwin County Democratic Party Chair Robyn Monaghan.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tXywag9ARZSbmKzW9biiig

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. The topic this month is “Orientation for Potential Alabama Candidates and the People who Recruit Them." Our teacher will be Tabitha Isner.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/30bSKTMhTWCDgZ7ccGiHIg

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. The topic this month is 'Collaborating with Nonprofits." Learn more about us here: https://udval.org/abs

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/q6yz-lIqRTKN82Pfu7fFJg

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. The topic this month is 'Unions and Democrats." Learn more about us here: https://udval.org/abs

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EFP1DDHpT2S993SrD2YHFQ

Join local Democrats around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. This is an online training session for anyone who is interested in volunteering in politics. The topic this month is "Municipal Elections."

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gx9KQ6a-RwinxiiD8zR97w

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama for our monthly Alabama Blue School. This is an online training session for and by local Democratic volunteers. The topic this month is "The Alabama Legislative Session." Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../register/AoAe8NU0QuSMaWhfZQTtoQ

The United Democratic Volunteers of Alabama (UDVAL) invites you to our third annual Alabama Blue Conference on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, in Clanton, AL.

Participants will discuss the challenges we face as Democrats in Alabama, but the focus of the event will be on taking action in new and transformative ways. We’ll leave the day with new plans and new relationships with Democrats and volunteers from across the state. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments are provided.

Suggested donation is $25 to help pay for the event, but you may donate any amount.

Register here: https://alabamablueconference2025.eventbrite.com

Download the program here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rq06pSRRhTnaFtz2ShbrBYDVjiDDylUN/view?usp=sharing

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama to learn what YOU can do to help turn Alabama BLUE!

Alabama Blue School is an online training course for and by local Democratic organizers. We will share what we’ve learned about building great local Democratic organizations. And we want to meet Democrats from all over the state! We know you’re out there, so let’s get together and learn from each other! We generally meet over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.

Our next class will be on:

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Central Time)

Topic: The Ides of March - How to Organize a Protest

Click on the following link to register for our next class: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AoAe8NU0QuSMaWhfZQTtoQ

To view past recordings of Alabama Blue Schools, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@udvalabama

Recently-elected Democratic National Committee Vice-Chair David Hogg will headline the campaign rally when Baldwin County joins Democrats from around Alabama to team up in Pensacola on March 8 with the Gay Valimont bid for U.S. House of Representatives.

Hogg claimed the national spotlight as a gun rights advocate in the wake of the Parkland school shooting. He organized Leaders We Deserve as a way to elect young leaders to political offices and became the youngest-ever DNC Vice Chair last month.

Sign up to be a part of this exciting event and to help Gay Valimont win Matt Gaetz's old seat. We can make the most of the April 1 special election to win one of only three House seats Democrats need to regain control of the U.S. Congress.

The event is part of the Alabama Blue Tour, organized by the United Democratic Volunteers of Alabama, that funnels volunteers into important political races. It's a perfect time for our young folks to get engaged!

Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/gayforcongress/event/755795/

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama to learn what YOU can do to help turn Alabama BLUE!

Alabama Blue School is an online training course for and by local Democratic organizers. We will share what we’ve learned about building great local Democratic organizations. And we want to meet Democrats from all over the state! We know you’re out there, so let’s get together and learn from each other! We generally meet over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.

Our next class will be on:

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Central Time)

Topic: Candidate and Volunteer Recruitment

Click on the following link to register for our next class: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yN99UBofRBiFu_zJMZBKjA

To view past recordings of Alabama Blue Schools, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@udvalabama

Join local Democratic volunteers around Alabama to learn what YOU can do to help turn Alabama BLUE!

Alabama Blue School is an online training course for and by local Democratic organizers. We will share what we’ve learned about building great local Democratic organizations. And we want to meet Democrats from all over the state! We know you’re out there, so let’s get together and learn from each other! We generally meet over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.

Our next class will be on:

Tuesday, January 21st, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Central Time)

Topic: Being Organized in Modern Times. We will discuss using free digital tools to help us stay organized, including Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Groups.

Click on the following link to register for our next class: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ga2byu_PQjGi_6TiUjQspQ#/registration

To view past recordings of Alabama Blue Schools, please visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@udvalabama