Tools for Radical Democracy How to Organize for Power in Your Community

by Minieri, Joan; Getsos, Paul; Klein, Kim

• ISBN13: 9780787979096
• ISBN10: 0787979090
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-07-27
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Tools for Radical Democracy is an essential resource for grassroots organizers and leaders, students of activism and advocacy, and anyone trying to increase the civic participation of ordinary people. Authors Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos share stories and tools from their nationally recognized and award-winning work of building a community-led organization, training community leaders, and conducting campaigns that changed public policy and delivered concrete results to tens of thousands of people. This how-to manual includes: + In-depth analysis of how to launch and win a campaign + Tools and guidelines for training people to lead their own campaigns and organizations + Insights for using technology effectively, building more powerful alliances, and engaging in the social justice movement

Author Biography

Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos are cofounders of Community Voices Heard, a leading social justice organization in New York City and the United States. They are experienced organizers, trainers, university lecturers, and recipients of the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World Award.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface: Why We Believe in Organizing and Building Power	p. xiii
The Authors	p. xvii
Introduction: The Power of Participation	p. xix
The Story of Community Voices Heard	p. xxxi
Building Community Power	p. 1
Taking It On: Starting to Build Power	p. 3
Powering Up	p. 23
Building a Base for Power	p. 35
Recruiting Constituents for Collective Action	p. 37
Involving Members in Building Their Own Organization	p. 61
Developing Leaders from All Walks of Life	p. 81
Uploading Technology	p. 109
Developing and Running Campaigns	p. 125
Identifying the Right Issue	p. 129
Researching the Politics of an Issue	p. 155
Developing a Winning Strategy	p. 183
Planning a Comprehensive Campaign	p. 209
Implementing an Effective Campaign	p. 239
Running Kick-A Actions!	p. 261
Evaluating a Campaign from Beginning to End	p. 301
Building a Movement	p. 323
Forging Partnerships for Power	p. 325
Moving from Self-Interest to Social Change: Movement-Building	p. 345
Conclusion: Putting Your Principles into Practice	p. 361
Resources: Supporting the Work of Organizing	p. 373
Organizing Lingo	p. 375
Raising Money for Organizing	p. 379
Power in the Voting Booth: Electoral Organizing	p. 389
Training Tips	p. 399
Approaches to Addressing Community Problems	p. 407
Creating a Legal Community Power-Building Organization	p. 411
For More Information	p. 413
The Phases and Steps of a Campaign: An Annotated Case Example	p. 415
Index	p. 425
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