An action alert is a message that an organization sends to mobilize people - often members of their group and supports of a specific point of view - calling on them to take action to influence public policy. The one-hour activist: the 15 most powerful actions you can take to fight for the issues and candidates you care about Christopher Kush, John Wiley and Sons, 2004; ISBN 0787973009, 9780787973001. Cybercitizen: How to Use Your Computer to Fight for All the Issues You Care about Christopher Kush, Macmillan, 2000; ISBN 0312263058, 9780312263058. Typically, action alerts are in reference to a timely issue, where prompt action is needed in order to affect upcoming decisions. Action alerts are considered a cost-effective and efficient grassroots organizing tool and are employed widely by many advocacy organizations. A well-designed action alert can be a "powerful way to invite people to participate in the processes of a democracy."