This introduction to community organizing was created by Tom Tresser for the Occupy Midwest convention. More resources on organizing at http://tinyurl.com/OrganizingResources

1. Introduction to
Community
Organizing
“Community Organizing” 1

2. 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
“Community Organizing” 2

3. 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
www.industrialareasfoundation.org
“Community Organizing” 3

4. “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
“Community Organizing” 4

5. 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
“Community Organizing” 5

6. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
– TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS
Direct Service
Self Help
Education
Advocacy
Direct Action
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 6

7. 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.
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 7

8. 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.
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 8

9. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
– TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS
Education
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 9

10. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
– TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS
Advocacy
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.
Source: Midwest Academy
Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into
your personal and private affairs.“Community Organizing” 10

11. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
– TYPES OF HELPING ORGANIZATIONS
Direct Action
ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform
Now, is the nation's largest community organization of low- and
moderate-income families, working together for social justice and
stronger communities. ACORN's accomplishments include
successful campaigns for better housing, schools, neighborhood
safety, health care, job conditions, and more. ACORN members
participate in local meetings and actively work on campaigns,
elect leadership from the neighborhood level up, and pay the
organization's core expenses through membership dues and
grassroots fundraisers.
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 11

12. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Accepts Challenges
Existing Existing
Power Power
Relationships Relationships
Direct Service
Direct Action
Education
Advocacy
Self Help
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 12

13. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Accepts Challenges
Existing Existing
Power Power
Relationships Relationships
Level of involvement
of people directly
affected by problem
Direct Service
Direct Action
Education
Advocacy
Self Help
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 13

14. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Accepts Challenges
Existing Existing
Power Power
Relationships Relationships
Change of people
involved in problem
Direct Service
Direct Action
Education
Advocacy
Self Help
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 14

15. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Accepts Challenges
Existing Existing
Power Power
Relationships Relationships
Level of structural
change
Direct Service
Direct Action
Education
Advocacy
Self Help
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 15

16. FORMS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Accepts Challenges
Existing Existing
Power Power
Relationships Relationships
Level of Conflict
Direct Service
Direct Action
Education
Advocacy
Self Help
Source: Midwest Academy
“Community Organizing” 16

17. The Three Principles
Of Direct Action
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
“Community Organizing” 17

18. 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
“Community Organizing” 18
8. Move the issue back to the legislative arena

19. Organizing is about
building power
“Community Organizing” 19

20. Your Power Equals
Your Strength
Plus Their Weakness
“Community Organizing”

21. Their Weakness Includes:
Conflict Of Interest $ Investment in
Campaign Image
Contributions
Scandal Close Election
Criminal Activity
Higher Ambition Past Connections
Need To Look Potential Rivals
Good To Someone
“Community Organizing”

22. Forms of Power
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.
“Community Organizing”

23. Selecting problems & issues
“Community Organizing” 23

24. There is a difference between
a problem and an issue
The issue is
the solution
to the problem
“Community Organizing” 24

25. Checklist For Choosing An Issue
`
Win Real Improvements Must Have A Clear Target
Give People Sense Of Power Time Frame That Works
Alter Power Relations Non-Divisive
Must Be Winnable Builds Leadership
Widely Felt Sets Up Next Campaign
Deeply Felt Pocketbook Angle
Easy To Understand You Can Raise Money
Consistent With Your Values
“Community Organizing” 25

26. Developing Strategy
“Community Organizing” 26

27. The Strategy Chart
Goals Org. Consti- Targets Tactics
Consid. tuency
Goals are What re- Constitu- The Steps in the
always won sources can ents Decision campaign.
from some- you put in? Maker
one • Members Allies • Petitions
• Leaders (Person with • Meetings
• $$$ Opponents the power to • Letters
• Staff give you what
Long Term • Electoral
• Stuff you want.)
Who cares • Media
about the Hits
How will it Secondary
problem?
build the or- Targets
Intermediate (What the
ganization?
• Coalition
How are constituents
(Pressure
partners they organ- them to do to the
• Visibility ized? pressure the targets to
Short Term • Budget Decision make them
• Experience What power Maker) give you the
(Not always do they goals.)
needed) Internal have over Opponents
problems in the target?
the way?
“Community Organizing” 27

28. Organizing Coalitions
“Community Organizing” 28

29. COALITION DEFINED
Coalition -- An organization of organizations
A group of groups.
If the people involved don't actually
represent organizations, then it isn't
a coalition.
“Community Organizing” 29
A group of groups

30. COALITION
DISADVANTAGES
• The coalition gets the credit
• Some benefit more than others
• Influence is not equal
• Compromise on Tactics
• Long discussions
• Not all do their share
“Community Organizing”

31. COALITION
ADVANTAGES
Build power
Better media
Effective strategy
Larger numbers
Increased resources
Larger victories
“Community Organizing”

32. “Self-interest”
From the Latin inter-esse. To be among.
Self-interest means self among others.
“Community Organizing”

33. In a coalition, an
organization
must still meet these needs:
1. Gain new members
2. Raise money
3. Be perceived as powerful
4. Get publicity
5. Build relationships with other groups
6. Provide members with an exciting program
7. Build internal morale
8. Give its leaders “Community Organizing”
a public role

34. COALITION GUIDELINES
1. Seek common issues
2. Avoid shopping lists
3. Hire neutral staff
4. Know members self interest
5. Respect members structure
6. All groups are not equal
7. Groups contribute different things
8. Tactics must suit all groups
9. Have top level representation
“Community Organizing”

35. IRS considerations
“Community Organizing” 35

36. Charitable 501(c)(3)
Organizations
• Contributions to them are tax
deductible
• Can get foundation money
• Can not work in elections
• Very limited lobbying
• 20% of total budget on direct lobbing
– 25% of lobbying budget on grass roots
lobbying “Community Organizing”

37. Civic/Social Welfare 501(c)(4)
Organizations
• Contributions to them are not tax
deductible
• May engage in restricted electoral
activity
– Communicate endorsement only to
members
• No limit on lobbying
“Community Organizing”

38. 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
“Community Organizing” 38

39. 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
“Community Organizing” 39

40. TAKE A SHORT ONLINE SURVEY ON
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT…
Please visit
http://tinyurl.com/CvicSurvey
“Community Organizing” 40

41. Tom Tresser
312-804-3230
tom@tresser.com
@tomsee
www.tresser.com
Materials for community organizing
online @
http://tinyurl.com/OrganizingResources
“Community Organizing” 41