Tools for Radical Democracy
How to Organize for Power in Your Community
Published on 28. June 2008
250 pages
978-0-7879-9740-3 (ISBN)
Description
Tools for Radical Democracy is an essential resource forgrassroots organizers and leaders, students of activism andadvocacy, and anyone trying to increase the civic participation ofordinary people. Authors Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos share storiesand tools from their nationally recognized and award-winning workof building a community-led organization, training communityleaders, and conducting campaigns that changed public policy anddelivered concrete results to tens of thousands of people. Thishow-to manual includes:
· In-depthanalysis of how to launch and win a campaign
· Tools andguidelines for training people to lead their own campaigns andorganizations
· Insights forusing technology effectively, building more powerful alliances, andengaging in the social justice movement
Reviews / Votes
"if you're looking for a practical how-to guide to buildingcommunity power without a lot of excursions into the ins and outsof fundraising, Tools is just the ticket." (Philanthropy NewsDigest, 03/04/08) " It is well-organized and easy to use." (CharityVillage.com,10/29/2007) "...it is refreshing to see a book that focuses downward- atthe community level- and outward- at social movements."(Nonprofit Online News, 09/05/2007) "The authors offer a guide to involving and organizing others --especially the most marginalized members of society -- in asocial-justice movement. Throughout the book are examples ofmeeting agendas, campaign plans, surveys to determine the keyissues that are important to local residents, lists of desiredqualities in community-organizing leaders, and other resources thatcan serve as templates." --Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 10,2008This book provides the nuts and bolts for how people andcommunities that start on the margins can move to center stage.Tools for Radical Democracy shines the spotlight on whatworks, and will help spark the next generation of social changemovements. To be sure, our country is in dire need of suchtechniques."--Andy Stern, president, Service EmployeesInternational Union, CTW, CLC "This manual is an organizer's organizer.I hope many people will put this to use."--HeatherBooth, founder and president, Midwest Academy "This book is 'the secret' for buildingcollective power for long-term social change." --Nat Chioke Williams, executive director, Hill SnowdonFoundation "Minieri and Getsos provide real-world examples of howordinary people can become leaders who effect positive change. Thisbook will be required reading for our staff and recommended readingfor all our members."--Janet S. Keating, codirector,Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition "Students, scholars, and social activists alike will findsomething to their tastes in this how-to guide for rebuildingdemocracy from the ground up."--Joaquin HerranzJr., assistant professor, Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs,University of Washington "Tools for Radical Democracy is for all people whofeel themselves closed out by the decisions that affect theirlives. Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos bring their solid experience inbuilding a cooperative and forceful voice to the story of acommunity out and acting powerfully."--Colin Greer,president, The New World FoundationMore details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2007
Jossey-Bass
€30.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Persons
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.
Content
Foreword.
Preface: Why We Believe in Organizing and Building Power.
The Authors.
Introduction: The Power of Participation.
The Story of Community Voices Heard.
PART ONE: BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER.
1. Taking It On: Starting to Build Power.
2. Powering Up.
PART TWO: BUILDING A BASE FOR POWER.
3. Recruiting Constituents for Collective Action.
4. Involving Members in Building Their Own Organization.
5. Developing Leaders from All Walks of Life.
6. Uploading Technology.
PART THREE: DEVELOPING AND RUNNING CAMPAIGNS.
7. Identifying the Right Issue.
8. Researching the Politics of an Issue.
9. Developing a Winning Strategy.
10. Planning a Comprehensive Campaign.
11. Implementing an Effective Campaign.
12. Running Kick-A** Actions!
13. Evaluating a Campaign from Beginning to End.
PART FOUR: BUILDING A MOVEMENT.
14. Forging Partnerships for Power.
15. Moving from Self-Interest to Social Change.
Conclusion: Putting Your Principles into Practice.
RESOURCES: SUPPORTING THE WORK OF ORGANIZING.
A. Organizing Lingo.
B. Raising Money for Organizing.
C. Power in the Voting Booth: Electoral Organizing.
D. Training Tips.
E. Approaches to Addressing Community Problems.
F. Creating a Legal Community Power-Building Organization.
G. For More Information.
H. The Phases and Steps of a Campaign: An Annotated CaseExample.
Index.
