HOW
TO
ORGANIZE
YOUR
COMMUNITY




COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING RELATED TOPICS

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING TIPS

LINDEMAN ON COMMUNITY

HOW TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS

RAISE AWARENESS RELATED TOPICS

HOW TO BE A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER RELATED TOPICS

THE FOUR STRATEGIES

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING LINKS



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SECTION 1



COMMUNITY
ORGANIZING




Community organizing is a process where people who live in proximity to each other come
together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest. Unlike those who
promote more-consensual community building, community organizers generally assume that
social change necessarily involves conflict and social struggle in order to generate
collective power for the powerless. A core goal of community organizing is to generate
durable power for an organization representing the community, allowing it to influence
key decision-makers on a range of issues over time. In the ideal, for example, this can
get community organizing groups a place at the table before important decisions are made.
Community organizers work with and develop new local leaders, facilitating coalitions
and assisting in the development of campaigns.

Community organizers generally seek to build groups that are democratic in governance,
open and accessible to community members, and concerned with the general health of the
community rather than a specific interest group. Organizing seeks to broadly empower
community members, with the end goal of distributing power more equally throughout the
community.



The three basic types of community organizing are:

grassroots or "door-knocking" organizing,

faith-based community organizing (FBCO),

coalition building.



Political campaigns often claim that their door-to-door operations are in fact an effort
to organize the community, though often these operations are focused exclusively on voter
identification and turnout.



Community organizing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_organizing



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SECTION 2



COMMUNITY
ORGANIZING
RELATED
TOPICS




Astroturfing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing

Community organization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_organization

Category:Community organizers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Community_organizers

Congregation-based Community Organizing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregation-based_Community_Organizing

Community film
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_film

Community practice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_practice

Community psychology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_psychology

Grassroots organizing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassroots

Homeowner association
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowner_association

Humanism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism

Political machine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_machine

Relational meeting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relational_meeting

Social change
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_change

Union organizer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_organizer

Youth activism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_activism



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SECTION 3



COMMUNITY
ORGANIZING
TIPS




Top Tips


Conduct frequent community meetings and other opportunities for residents to work together.

Determine problems and other areas of concern that are important to community residents.

Encourage residents to participate in addressing their community's issues and to have an
active voice. Remember- strength exists in numbers and resident involvement leads to
community empowerment!

Conduct community outreach or informal surveys door to door to ensure that all residents
have an opportunity to give input.

Identify leaders in the community who have residents’ support and can organize others.

Clearly define specific community issues to focus on and what needs to be done.

Create an action plan that is developed and supported by the community, not just a few
community leaders.

Include short-term, achievable goals to provide success early on. Long range goals will
require more time and commitment.

Identify allies and enemies of the plan’s strategies and goals.

Communicate the plan’s strategies and progress to the community frequently.

Provide ongoing training for residents to build their community organizing and leadership
skills.

Generate additional resources to support community organizing activities and costs.

Educate the community and local decision makers about the community’s specific issues and
advocate for successful strategies and outcomes.

Recognize community members for their ongoing participation and celebrate success!




Community Organizing tips
http://www.civicpartnerships.org/docs/tools_resources/community_organizing.htm



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SECTION 4



LINDEMAN
ON
COMMUNITY




The aim of community life is to bring about amicable relations between men and groups of men.


An ideal community should furnish to its human constituents:

1. Order, or security of life and property through the medium of an efficient government.

2. Economic well-being, or security of income through an efficient system of productive industry.

3. Physical well-being, or health and sanitation through public health agencies.

4. Constructive use of leisure time, or recreation though public health agencies.

5. Ethical standards, or a system of morality supported by the organized community.

6. Intellectual diffusion, or education through free and public institutions within
the reach of all.

7. Free avenues of expression, or means by which all the elements of the community
might freely express themselves; free newspapers and public forums.

8. Democratic forms of organization, or community-wide organization through which
the entire community might express its thought and see that its will is done.

9. Spiritual motivation, or religious associations which might diffuse throughout
all forms of community organization the religious or spiritual motive.



Lindeman on community
http://www.infed.org/community/b-comorg.htm



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SECTION 5



HOW
TO
ORGANIZE
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
TO
RAISE
AWARENESS




Powerful things can happen when communities come together in common interest. Whether
you want to save Darfur, promote your favorite political candidate, reduce air pollution
or raise money for a recreation center, community-attended events are a great way to get
others involved in your cause. While impromptu gatherings are fun, you'll be more
successful in creating awareness if you do some careful planning. Make sure you take steps
to publicize the occasion, secure a venue and organize agenda details to make sure your
event comes off without a hitch.



Instructions


1. Set event goals, determining what you hope to achieve. These goals provide a structure around
which you can plan the details of your event, from guest lists to speakers and advertising to
refreshments.

2. Check your dates and times to be sure that your community event does not conflict with other
area events. You don't want to lose valuable attendance because you're competing with another
community group.

3. Organize an audience attention-getter like a public speaker, a video clip, a musical performance
or a prize giveaway. Providing some form of entertainment or thought-provoking message makes
events more memorable for audiences, and helps to call them to action afterward.

4. Find some friends and neighbors who share your enthusiasm for your cause or issue of interest.
Meet together to brainstorm event ideas, organize a planning timeline and delegate responsibilities.

5. Create a flier or brochure to advertise your community event. Programs like Microsoft Publisher
and Adobe Photoshop can be used to create a visually interesting document advertising your event
plans, along with supplying the location, date and time. Email an online version of your flier to
friends, family and coworkers, and have some hard copies printed up to distribute in your
neighborhood. Visit StockLayouts.com for a free, downloadable flyer template to personalize and
raise event awareness (see Resources below).

6. Type up a printed agenda for your event, including start and end times for speakers, video clips,
entertainment and refreshments. Allow a little wiggle room between agenda item starting times so the
event doesn't run too far past the scheduled time.

7. Don't forget to include a social or interactive time on your event agenda. While attendees will
enjoy the activities you have planned, they will appreciate a time to mingle, discuss issues,
socialize and enjoy refreshments in a less structured environment.

8. Realize that being an activist takes more than having an opinion. Visit PlanetFriendly.net for a
list of citizenship and advocacy groups you can become involved in (see Resources below). The site
also provides access to fundraising guides, event planning resources and user forums.



Tips & Warnings


Let attendees know that you'd like to make your event an annual tradition. Spend time socializing
and meeting others who will help you raise awareness for your cause. They might even agree to help
you with next year's event planning.

If you're holding an issue-oriented event like a peace rally, a register-to-vote party or a political
get-together, visit Cafe Press to order apparel, signs and novelty items (see Resources below). These
items are also good for publicity and event giveaways.




How to Organize Community Events to Raise Awareness
http://www.ehow.com/how_2246624_organize-community-events-raise-awareness.html#ixzz29cJ6Ymec



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SECTION 6



RAISE
AWARENESS
RELATED
TOPICS




How to Organize a Community Festival
http://www.ehow.com/how_2257389_organize-community-festival.html

How to Organize Community Service Events
http://www.ehow.com/how_4469829_organize-community-service-event.html

How to Plan a Fund-Raising Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_135538_fund-raising-event.html

How to Create Free Printable Party Fliers
http://www.ehow.com/how_4533559_create-printable-party-flyers.html

How to Organize a Community Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_7596518_organize-community-event.html

Job Description for an Events Organizer
http://www.ehow.com/about_6369067_job-description-events-organizer.html

How to Organize a Community Walk Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_4829553_organize-community-walk-event.html

How to Organize a Fundraising Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_4865901_organize-fundraising-event.html

Community Awareness Topics
http://www.ehow.com/info_8344163_community-awareness-topics.html

How to Organize a Charity Sports Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_4453935_organize-charity-sports-event.html

How to Raise Community Awareness for a Social or Charitable Cause
http://www.ehow.com/how_4421937_raise-community-awareness-social-charitable.html

How to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer
http://www.ehow.com/how_2033680_raise-awareness-breast.html

How to Organize a Community Festival
http://www.ehow.com/how_2257389_organize-community-festival.html

How to Organize Events With Upcoming
http://www.ehow.com/how_4765763_organize-events-upcoming.html

How to Create Healthcare Flyers for Free
http://www.ehow.com/how_8383443_create-healthcare-flyers.html

How to Plan a Chili Cook-Off
http://www.ehow.com/how_2125838_plan-chili-cookoff.html

How to Host a Chili Cook-off
http://www.ehow.com/how_2124276_host-chili-cookoff.html

How to Create a Western Invitation
http://www.ehow.com/how_5040533_create-western-invitation.html

How to Raise Awareness for Alzheimers Disease
http://www.ehow.com/how_2048417_raise-awareness-alzheimers-disease.html

How to Hold an AIDS Awareness Event
http://www.ehow.com/how_5728331_hold-aids-awareness-event.html



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SECTION 7



HOW
TO
BE
A
COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER




Interested in becoming a Community Organizer in your city or town?
Here are ways to do so, and be effective at it.



Steps


1. Find political issues you are passionate about.

2. Get involved with local and national political and activist groups.

3. Read information and how-to articles on organizing and activism.

4. Befriend people who share the same passion.

5. Work with those people on local and national issues.

6. Help co-host local events on your chosen issue(s) or to support political
figures you believe in.

7. Listen to the people you are representing and helping.

8. Keep their concerns at the forefront of your work.

9. Share your successes with the people you're representing.

10. Celebrate with each success.

11. Return to your community organizing refreshed and ready to go again.



How to Be a Community Organizer
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Community-Organizer



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SECTION 8



COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER
RELATED
TOPICS




How to Organize a Flash Mob
http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-a-Flash-Mob

How to Organize a Virtual Workspace
http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-a-Virtual-Workspace

How to Be Organized
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Organized

How to Install Closet Organizers
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Closet-Organizers

How to Get Your Personal Finances Organized
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Personal-Finances-Organized

How to Organize a Kitchen
http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-a-Kitchen

How to Organize Your Digital Photos
http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-Your-Digital-Photos



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SECTION 9



THE
FOUR
STRATEGIES




There are four fundamental strategies available to neighborhood groups to address
community problems:



community organizing,

advocacy,

service delivery

or

development.



There is no right or wrong strategy - each organization has to choose among them
constantly. Each group should specialize - the skills needed to do a good job in one
are seldom those needed for another. Sometimes, groups use a combination of strategies.
What is important here is that you know what you're doing - that the method matches the
strategy you've chosen and they both match the mission the group has adopted. This
article will focus on defining and developing the ideas behind community organizing.

Community organizing is characterized by the mobilizing of volunteers. Staff roles are
limited to helping volunteers become effective, to guiding the learning of leaders
through the process, and to helping create the mechanism for the group to advocate on
their own behalf. Community organizing almost always includes confrontation of some sort.
The people who want something get themselves together to ask for it, often the people who
could give them what they want get jumpy. Community organizing strategies include meeting
with corporate or government decision makers to hold them accountable for their actions,
designing programs for others (not the group) to implement that meet the needs of the
community, and aggressive group action to block negative developments or behaviors (highway
construction that leads to neighborhood destruction, etc.).

Advocacy and Service Delivery are both characterized by doing FOR people. Often professionals
like lawyers or social workers will attack a problem on behalf of those perceived as unable to
speak for themselves. Job referral services, social work, training for job readiness,
homeownership counseling, business plan preparation training - these are methods which fit into
the Advocacy or Service Delivery strategy.

Development is a strategy that gets the group directly into the business of delivering a physical
product. Generally, groups select a development strategy because the normal course of events is
not meeting the areas needs. The profit motive either does not bring private developers into the
area - they can't make enough money - or it brings them in to do the wrong thing - they are
converting moderate cost rental units into yuppie condos. Development could mean housing or
commercial or even industrial development. Development methods require, like the other two
strategies, particular skills. Many groups have struggled to achieve good results in housing
development with staff whose training, experience and interests are in community organizing,
causing pain and suffering for the group and the staff. This is unfair. If we understand the
distinction between the strategies, we can see the different resources needed for the methods
that fit within them.



Community Organizing
http://comm-org.wisc.edu/papers97/beckwith.htm#fourstrats



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SECTION 10



COMMUNITY
ORGANIZING
LINKS




ACORN International/Community Organizations International
http://www.acorninternational.org/

Applied Research Center
http://www.arc.org

Assets Based Community Development Institute
http://www.abcdinstitute.org

Center for Community Change
http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/91-1.pdf

Citizens Handbook
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/

Comm.Org
http://comm-org.wisc.edu/

Community-Based Organizations, Agencies, and Groups
http://www.answers.com/topic/community-based-organizations-agencies-and-groups

Community Building & Community Organizing
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/85/combuild.html

Community organization
http://www.answers.com/topic/community-organization

Community Organizing
http://suite101.com/article/community-organizing-a25216

Community Organizing Toolkit
http://organizinggame.org/

Community Tool Box
http://ctb.ku.edu/

European Community Organizing Network
http://www.cof.org.uk/

How to Organize a Community
http://www.movements.org/how-to/entry/how-to-organize-a-community

How (not to) to Organize a Community
http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-not-to-to-organize-community.html


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Idealist.org Organizing Guide
http://www.idealist.org/resource_guides/guide_organizing_intro.html

Maria Mottola, Tenant Organizing Manual
http://www.tenant.net/Organize/Lenox/lh-title.html

Midwest Academy
http://www.midwestacademy.com

Organizers Collaborative
http://www.organizenow.net/

ORGANIZE A SPECIAL EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
http://www.tsalliance.org/pages.aspx?content=124

Organizing in the United Kingdom
http://www.cof.org.uk/

Power to the People: Thirty-five Years of Community Organizing
http://www.sonoma.edu/users/w/wallsd/community-organizing.shtml

Shelterforce Online
http://www.nhi.org/online/index.html

Social Policy magazine
http://www.socialpolicy.org/

Tenant Net
http://www.tenant.net/Organize/

Urban Institute
http://www.urban.org/

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/



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