introduction to community organizing

“Community Organizing” 1

Introduction toCommunity Organizing

Tom Tresser - 2013

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INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

“The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of struggle…Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning…Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out what the people will submit to, and you have found the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

- Frederick Douglass, Letter to an abolitionist associate, 1849

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www.industrialareasfoundation.org

Saul Alinsky (1909 – 1972)

• Pioneer in grassroots democracy theory and practice

• Founder of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF)

• Master organizer and challenger of the status quo

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“Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent

abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive

friction of conflict.” - Saul Alinsky

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The Midwest Academy teaches an organizing philosophy, methods and skills that enable ordinary people to actively participate in the democratic process. The Academy courses and consulting services are designed for progressive organizations and coalitions that utilize civic engagement activities to build citizen power at all levels of our democracy.

www.midwestacademy.com

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Direct Service

Self Help

Education

Advocacy

Direct Action

Source: Midwest Academy

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Direct Service

United Way's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where their resources are needed most.  

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Self Help

Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership.

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Education

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Advocacy

Source: Midwest Academy

The mission of the ACLU is to preserve these protections and guarantees:

Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.

Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.

Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.

Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS

Direct Action

KOCO's organizing agenda is directly informed by its constituency, the low-income and working families within the North Kenwood, Oakland, and its adjacent communities. KOCO's organizing approach engages residents in identifying the issues that they want to see addressed, and facilitating the planning, strategizing and training opportunities to aid residents in addressing issues. KOCO is a membership-driven organization.  Our MissionThrough the sustained engagement of low-income and working families, KOCO develops multi-generational leaders who impact decision-making process and public policies, improving the quality of life in our local communities

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Dire

ct S

erv

ice

Self H

elp

Ed

uca

tion

Ad

voca

cy

Dire

ct A

ction

Accepts ExistingPower

Relationships

ChallengesExistingPower

Relationships

Source: Midwest Academy

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Dire

ct S

erv

ice

Self H

elp

Ed

uca

tion

Ad

voca

cy

Dire

ct A

ction

Accepts ExistingPower

Relationships

ChallengesExistingPower

Relationships

Source: Midwest Academy

Level of involvement

of people directly affected by

problem

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Dire

ct S

erv

ice

Self H

elp

Ed

uca

tion

Ad

voca

cy

Dire

ct A

ction

Accepts ExistingPower

Relationships

ChallengesExistingPower

Relationships

Source: Midwest Academy

Change of people involved in

problem

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Dire

ct S

erv

ice

Self H

elp

Ed

uca

tion

Ad

voca

cy

Dire

ct A

ction

Accepts ExistingPower

Relationships

ChallengesExistingPower

RelationshipsLevel of structural

change

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FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

Dire

ct S

erv

ice

Self H

elp

Ed

uca

tion

Ad

voca

cy

Dire

ct A

ction

Accepts ExistingPower

Relationships

ChallengesExistingPower

RelationshipsLevel of

Conflict

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Win Real Improvements In People’s Lives Make People Aware Of Their Power Alter The Relations Of Power

Build Strong Organizations

Change laws and Regulations

Elect good people

The Three Principles Of Direct Action

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8 Direct Action Organizing Steps

1. People (members) identify a problem

2. Turn the problem into an issue

3. Develop strategy

4. Confront the target with large numbers

5. Decision Maker reacts to us

6. Win or move on to next round

7. Move the issue into the electoral arena

8. Move the issue back to the legislative arena

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Organizing is about building power

Organizing is about building power

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Your Power EqualsYour Strength

Plus Their Weakness

Your Power EqualsYour Strength

Plus Their Weakness

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Their Weakness Includes:Their Weakness Includes:

Conflict Of InterestCampaignContributions

$ Investment inImage

Scandal Criminal Activity

Close Election

Higher Ambition Past Connections

Need To LookGood To Someone

Potential Rivals

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Form Of Power What Matters

Political - Legislative Votes - Money

Consumer Ability To Cut Profits

Legal - Regulatory Clear Laws & Regulations. Free Legal Help

Strikes - Disruptive Cut Profits Or Stop An Agency From Functioning.

Forms of Power Forms of Power

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Some thoughts…

• Where there is no vision, the people perish• Imagination precedes implementation• Listen, Learn, Lead• Start where the people are• Make the path by walking it

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Online Resources• The Midwest Academy – Training, excellent manual – www.midwestacademy.com

• Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center – great workbook – www.inrc.org

• New Organizing Institute – www.neworganizing.com

• Community Organizers Handbook – www.organizershandbok.wikispaces.com

• The Organizers’ Collaborative – organizerscollaborative.org

• The Ruckus Society – Tools & training for organizing – www.ruckus.org

• AlternativeROOTS – Arts. Community. Activism - http://alternateroots.org

• TechSoup – Technology for nonprofits – home.techsoup.org

• The Civic Commons - Technology for the public good – http://civiccommons.com

• Rainforest Action Network – Activist resources – http://ran.org

• Mobile Active – Cell phones for civic engagement – www.mobileactive.org

• Industrial Areas Foundation – Founded by Alinksky, training- www.industrialareasfoundation.org

• Gamaliel Foundation – Coalition of organizing efforts, training - www.gamaliel.org