For anyone looking to get involved in government or politics but who is daunted by "where do I start?" here are a few tips:

The Bakersfield League of Women Voters would be a great place to ease into the political scene locally. This is a NONPARTISAN group which is only interested in making sure the process works and that the public is part of that process.
They monitor meetings, help on Election Day, host candidate forums and more. It's a perfect place for anyone to start.
http://bakersfield.ca.lwvne...

The Center for Kern Political Education is also good and also NONPARTISAN.
Jack Brigham, a retired Bakersfield College political science professor, started the foundation a few years ago with the intent of just increasing awareness and interest in governmental goings on locally.
http://www2.bc.cc.ca.us/ckp...
or
 jbrigham@bakersfieldcollege.edu

I would highly recommend going to the county's and city's websites to look at what topics are coming up at public meetings and learning more about the structure of government.

You can access government at any point and in any capacity.

What are you interested in? I bet government has a role no matter where your passions lie.

You can observe and learn without feeling pressured to take a stand or know all the history and background of a topic.

Are you interested in the plight of animals? Go to the public meetings of the county's Animal Control Commission and see what's up.
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/cl...

History? There's a city commission on historic preservation.
http://www.bakersfieldcity....

Do you think we have enough parks in town?
NOR, also known as the North Bakersfield Recreation and Parks District
http://www.norrecreation.or...

And the county has a parks commission of its own
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/cl...

The City and County websites are musts to peck around on and see what's up:
CITY
http://www.bakersfieldcity....
The City Clerk is the keeper of all knowledge of boards and commissions 325-3767
http://www.bakersfieldcity....

COUNTY
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/
The Clerk of the Board keeps all the commission intel for the county 868-3585
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/cl...

And I haven't even started with school districts! Which are the easiest way to get involved.

There are more than 40 independent school districts in Kern County so I can't list all their websites. But you can Google whichever district you're interested in and get all the info you need to get involved at whatever level you feel most comfortable.

Then there are the parties, of course.

Here are the main two:
Kern County Republican Party
http://www.kerngop.org/Volu...

Kern County Democratic Party
http://www.kerndemocrats.co...