Transcript Document
Community Allies: Building a Strong Network Wednesday, August 13 7:30-8:45 Agenda 7:30 – 8:00: Power Analysis of Labor Unions Labor + Community = POWER 8:00 – 8:30: Building a Sustainable Network Best Practices and New Models 8:30 – 8:45: Discussion and Wrap-Up Building a Strong Network Begins with Community Organizing Community organizing is a process by which a group of people organize and take measures to influence the policies or culture surrounding them. The term is usually, but not always, used to refer to local community organizing. Building a Strong Network Why is Community Organizing Important? Because social change takes place and is more effective when people work together in an organized way. This gives us the POWER we need to achieve the changes we want. Building a Strong Network Using the Right Method There is more than one way to organize a strong community network. People choose the methods that make the most sense to them and seem most likely to achieve their goals. Building a Strong Network Basic Principles for Creating Social Change Nonviolence-Preventing or minimizing violence against ourselves, each other, our communities, and the environment. Social Transformation-Identifying and addressing the root causes of problems and creating solutions that truly make things better for all groups involved. Building a Strong Network Basic Principles for Creating Social Change Organizing-offering people the opportunity and support to work with others on problems they face. Direct Democracy-Giving People the power to control their own lives, and maximizing their access to the decisionmaking processes that affect them. Building a Strong Network Basic Principles for Creating Social Change Economic Equality-Putting basic human needs first; insuring that all have enough before any get much more. Social Equality-Promoting participation and leadership especially for those who have experienced discrimination in the workplace or society. Building a Strong Network Best Practices 1800-1900 Mother Jones & Mine Workers- Mother Jones’ organizing methods included African American workers, women and children. Her organizing led to thousands of mines workers winning collective bargaining rights and the passage of the 1938 Child Labor Law. 1943 UAW & Community Campaign to Organize Ford 1969 Charleston Hospital Strike SEIU 1199 & Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Over 5,000 people marched in support of the workers-including labor leaders and five U.S. Congressmen. 2000 Campaign for Workers Rights in South Carolina. The Charleston 5 International Longshoremen Strike: worldwide effort of dock workers, Labor, Civil Rights and Community. 2002 Southern California Strike gathered nationwide support for over 70,000 grocery store workers. 2006 “Day Without Immigrants” May 1st rallies, which contributed to the defeat of the HR 4437 Immigration Reform proposal, meant to criminalize all undocumented immigrants living within the United States. 2008 Smithfield Campaign, organized nationwide support of community, civil rights and labor organizations. Building a Strong Network New Models 2011 Occupy and the 99% Movement Making Change at Walmart Black Friday Strike Fast-Food Workers Strike, Demand for 'Living Wages‘ Detroit’s Community Growth Partnership One America—Immigrant Rights Coalition Retail Justice Alliance for Better Jobs in Retail Retail Action Project (RAP) Building a Strong Network Key Steps Working with community allies is a TWO way street. You must understand their self interest. There must be a deep understanding of the ally organization, its mission, its officers and members, how the organization operates. Community allies often want a sense of ownership, which doesn’t mean full control, but a seat at the table, and their ideas acknowledged and considered. Building a Strong Network Key Steps Make sure that the relationship is transparent Present clear goals and objectives Know the challenges of the ally organization (people power, funding, resources, etc.) Understand the decision making process Understand the structure of the ally organization Understand the capacity of the ally organization (can they accomplish the task).