Community organizing is an incredibly rewarding career.You have the chance to make a difference in your community.Learn how to get started and make a difference if you think community organizing is for you.
Step 1: Understand what a community organize.
If you want to be a community organizer, you need to understand what the job entails.You will need to identify issues in your community, think of solutions, and get enough support to act on them.The authority will sometimes be challenged by public protest.If you want to get attention for your cause, you should speak to a crowd, go door to door, and make cold calls.
Step 2: You should be educated politically.
To change the government, you need to understand how it works.Understand the election process, how laws are passed, and who your local politicians are.Local and national laws should be familiar to you.When you start campaigning for change, this will become important.
Step 3: There are political or social issues in your community.
These can range from simple to serious, like an unjust law.You should learn all you can about the issue before taking action.There are a few ways to do this.You can watch the local news.Local issues will often be covered by these networks.You can read local newspapers.Look at the editorial section.Local citizens will often complain about problems in the community.Talk to people.A community organizer needs this skill.If you want to know if neighbors are unhappy with something in the community, ask them.
Step 4: Do you know if there are similar groups in your area?
If anyone else has already taken action, it's because you identified the issue and educated yourself on it.An internet search can uncover groups in your area.You can find flyers at libraries and government buildings.If you find a group taking the same actions as you, you may want to join it instead of starting your own.If you think this group has different goals or methods than you, you can start your own.If you still want to approach this already established group, you can present your ideas and see if they will support you.
Step 5: If you are willing to volunteer, try it first.
If you're not sure if community organizing is for you, you can volunteer with a similar group.This will give you an idea of what the job is like.When you form your own group, you can make important contacts by volunteering.
Step 6: A small meeting is necessary.
You might come across a few people who share your thoughts while investigating an issue.These are people you know from school or the community.You would like to discuss a problem you've noticed in the community.Developing a plan for your group is very important even if it's only a few people.
Step 7: Discuss the issue with others.
You have to figure out how to fix the issue after you've investigated it.You should have a discussion with your group about what to do.Discuss the issue that brought everyone there.Ask why they feel this is important and what concerns them.Discuss what you hope to do to fix the issue when you know what it is.Identifying clear goals for this group will help you come up with a plan of action.Most of your work will be focused on raising awareness and support for the candidate if you want to get a new member to the legislature.Everyone can propose solutions.Everyone should be allowed a chance to speak.Group participation is a factor in community organizing.Even though you are the leader of the group, you still have to listen to everyone.Discuss the methods you are willing to use to achieve your goals.Do you only plan on writing letters and talking to the media, or will you use direct action like protests?If everyone in the group is on board with the methods you plan on using, that's great.Some won't be comfortable protesting.There's still a lot of work they can do to help.
Step 8: Name the group.
The name of your group should be easy to remember and give a clue of what the group's goals are.If you plan on using an acronym, research if there are other prominent groups using it.Changing your name is a possibility.If your potential members can't find your group on the internet, that's a problem.
Step 9: Agree with a mission statement.
Work out a plan of action with your attendees at the first meeting.Define what your group is all about with the mission statement.The mission statement should start with the group name.All readers will know who the mission statement is.The group's purpose should be stated.What problem do you want to fix or what service will you provide?Make a list of your goals.What methods do you intend to use in the group's plan?You don't have to keep changing your statement because it should be broad enough to show the group's intentions.Say that your purpose is to promote neighborhood safety if you want a stop sign by a school.Keep it short.A few sentences are fine.Potential members will understand what you're about and if they want to join if you get straight to the point.Once you have a mission statement, make sure to put it on any flyers or other media the group produces.As an example, look at this mission statement from a top nonprofit, which says that Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
Step 10: Discuss how the group will be run.
Is the group democratic?Will there be an election?How will decisions be made?Will there be a specific task for each member?At the first meeting, figure out all the questions early.The group can focus on the original issue and not worry about organizational questions.
Step 11: Regular meetings.
You should meet regularly once you've established your group.Your group may melt away before you even start.
Step 12: There are fliers hanging on the wall.
Most libraries, government buildings, and businesses have bulletin boards where you can advertise.Your group's name and the issue you represent are displayed on a flyer.If you want to attract new members, you need to include your group's contact information and when and where you meet.
Step 13: Don't use traditional media.
Social media makes it easy to spread awareness.You can make a page for your group.The group should be advertised on the members' personal pages.It is possible to increase your support far beyond your immediate community.Keeping your social media pages active is very important.People will assume that the group is inactive if they see that your pages haven't been updated in months.
Step 14: The door to door campaigns should be organized.
Face to face conversations are important for building support for community organizing.Every one of your members should be responsible for that area.This area can be covered in a day, not more than a few blocks.They can distribute flyers or a newsletter if you have printed them.Your group's goals and vision should be included in the mission statement.Your most enthusiastic door to door people should be knowledgeable about the issues.Not everyone is comfortable interacting with strangers.You want your neighbors to see your group and cause in a positive light.
Step 15: There is a way to advertise in the newspaper.
Send an editorial to your paper.You have formed a group to fix the problem if you state the issue.You can't advertise your group in an editorial.If that is the case, you can still make a good argument by laying out a plan of action.
Step 16: The media can be utilized.
You can use the media to your advantage because it is a very powerful force.If local media stations are willing to cover your group, contact them.Define a person.Important press interactions should be handled by specific members of the group.They should be well spoken, charismatic and know the issues inside and out.The best public face for your group will be provided by this.If a local news station or newspaper publishes a story about your group, you should know who the reporter is.They are willing to give you more coverage.
Step 17: At local events, set up booths.
A lot of people attend fairs and other events in towns.Make sure these booths are stocked with flyers and staffed by charismatic members who are able to talk about the issue with strangers.
Step 18: All of your members should be kept track of.
It's important that your members have an organized file with their contact information.Keep them involved by checking in with them regularly.Your group will fall apart if you don't keep track of your members.
Step 19: Contact politicians in your area.
You have leverage to present your issue to local politicians now that you've built support for your cause.Make it clear how you expect the problem to be solved.If they can't help you, give them the information of someone else who can.
Step 20: Help organize letter-writing campaigns.
All of your members should contact the politician you need to work with.They should get attention from this flood of correspondence.Use letter-writing campaigns to contact politicians if they don't respond.The media is more likely to cover a particular issue if there is a lot of buzz.
Step 21: There is a rally.
A public rally will show support for your cause when your group has grown.Make sure your members are able to come.You don't want to have a large crowd at a rally.The event is supposed to show your support.There is a rally.Reach out to the community after you know your members will come.People interested in your cause are invited to show their support.Posters, banners, T-shirts, anything to get attention for your group.This will show group solidarity and get your message across.A permit is required for most areas.It's important that this is taken care of before your event to avoid trouble with law enforcement.Do you know if the local media will cover the event?Contact the reporter if they have covered your group before.Your spokespeople should be ready to speak to any spectators.There is a chance to get new members.Everything should be kept peaceful.You want your group to be a positive force in the community.A rowdy group won't get you any support from locals.
Step 22: Distribute a petition.
All of your members should collect signatures.Give this petition to your local government when you have gathered enough support.
Step 23: Take care of other community groups.
You can probably add other organizations to your base of support.If they will support your cause, meet with their leaders.You can increase your support by organizing rallies and events.
Step 24: Supporting candidates who speak for you is important.
It will be necessary to vote in a new one if the current government doesn't support your cause.If you can't find a candidate who will support you, consider running yourself or nominating someone from your group.
Step 25: Analyze the failures.
There are likely to be setbacks in community organizing.Learning from setbacks is the important part.You can fix the problem if you understand where you went wrong.