Grassroots Organizing

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Grassroots Organizing Coalition Building

• Skills to transform IDEAS into ACTION!
• American Medical Student Association

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Three crucial ingredients for political change
Good public policy
Grassroots organizing
Electoral Politics
Policy provides direction and an agenda for
action grassroots organizing builds a
constituency to fight for change and electoral
politics is the main way, in the absence of
sweeping social movements, that we contest for
power and hold decision-makers accountable for
progressive public policy. Paul Wellstone,
February 18, 2001from "Winning Politics," The
Nation
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Types of Grassroots Organizing
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Strategic Planning

• is not the same as simple planning
• is planning that works within, around, and
  through power relationships
• is the way that you get what you want from
  somebody
• is the FIRST step of direct action, not
  something you do in the middle

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Planning - Midwest Academy Stylehttp//www.midwes
tacademy.com
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources Constituents Allies Primary Targets Tactics
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Constituents Allies Secondary Targets Tactics
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Opponents Secondary Targets Tactics
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Goals Keeping your eyes on the prize!
Long Term Goals (Problems) Whats the overarching problem you are working on?
Issue Goals (Solutions) What one step can I take that will help me reach my long term goal?
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Am I making progress in reaching my issue goal?
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Issue Goals

• BIG PROBLEMS have multiple partial solutions
• Long-term goal increase healthcare access in
  America
• Issue Goals
• Pass legislation that guarantees access to all
  children
• Pass legislation that expands Medicaid
  eligibility
• Pass legislation that sets up a single-payer
  system in America

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Internal Considerations Costs? Benefits?
Conflict?
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources How much will it cost my group/coalition to win? Time, talent, treasure.
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits What will my group gain by being part of this campaign?
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Turf issues, personnel issues
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Power Grid / Coalition Building
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources Constituents Allies Who has something to gain from my winning? Who must I have on board to win? Who loves me and will do whatever I ask?
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Constituents Allies Who has something to gain from my winning? Who must I have on board to win? Who loves me and will do whatever I ask?
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Opponents Who has something to lose? How strong are they?
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Targets - Who can give you what you want?
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources Constituents Allies Primary Targets People who can give me what I want (i.e., if we get this person on board, we win the issue)
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Constituents Allies Secondary Targets People who have more power over the primary target than me.
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Opponents Secondary Targets People who have more power over the primary target than me.
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Tactics - Putting on the pressure to win!
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources Constituents Allies Primary Targets Tactics Things/activities, etc. you do to the targets Confronting the targets with expressions of your power Putting on the pressure
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Constituents Allies Secondary Targets Tactics Things/activities, etc. you do to the targets Confronting the targets with expressions of your power Putting on the pressure
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Opponents Secondary Targets Tactics Things/activities, etc. you do to the targets Confronting the targets with expressions of your power Putting on the pressure
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Midwest Academy Pathway to Success!http//www.mid
westacademy.com
Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources Constituents Allies Primary Targets Tactics
Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Constituents Allies Secondary Targets Tactics
Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Opponents Secondary Targets Tactics
Decision-makers
Ultimate Goal !!!
To
So they give you
To continue the fight for
Action!
Do
Empower your base to
Strengthen your base
What you want
To
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Coalition Building 101
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Coalition Building takes time

• You need time to develop relationships
• You need time to go through organization
  processes
• You need time for representatives to educate
  their own members about your issue

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Why build coalitions?

• Ignore people in power UNTIL you have built a
  powerful coalition
• Ignore people in power UNTIL you have built a
  powerful coalition
• Ignore people in power UNTIL you have built a
  powerful coalition
• Ignore people in power UNTIL you have built a
  powerful coalition

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Who to target?

• Aim for low-hanging fruit first, then climb
  the tree to harder groups
• Organizational leaders firstorganizational
  members Second

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Rule of the thirds

• Rabid 1/3 of population
• Will do anything for the cause!
• Middle 1/3 of population
• Anti 1/3 of population
• Hate your cause and everything about it

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The goal

• Have them sign something!
• Resolution or statement of support
• Have them help with your tactics
• Have them commit resources

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Summary

• Direct action is a form of grassroots organizing
  that challenges power relationships
• Strategic planning is always the first step when
  you plan ANY direct action campaign
• Coalition building is needed to implement your
  strategic plan