Greater Cleveland Congregations Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) is a non-partisan coalition of faith communities and partner organizations in Cuyahoga County working together to build power for social justice. GCC unites people across lines of race, class, religion, and geography to promote public, private and civic sector actions which strengthen and improve the quality of life of our neighborhoods.

Industrial Areas Foundation Founded in Chicago in 1940 Founded in Chicago in 1940 Coalitions of religious congregations and community organizations that can act together powerfully on issues of social justice and common concern. Coalitions of religious congregations and community organizations that can act together powerfully on issues of social justice and common concern. 60 affiliates in North American and Europe 60 affiliates in North American and Europe

IAF Accomplishments Baltimore: first living wage ordinance in the nation New York: Over 5000 affordable Nehemiah Homes Massachusetts: Health care for 500,000 uninsured Washington, DC: $100 million in neighborhood development

Context for Community Organizing Public Sector Elected officials (national, state, local) Government Agencies Civic Sector Families Religious Congs. Labor Unions Civic associations Advocacy Groups Private Sector Financial Services Energy companies Real Estate/Constr. Health Care/Insurance Manufacturing Contracts/grants/ regulations Campaign Donations Workers/Consumers Voters/Taxpayers Values: administration/control Power: Position Values: Profit Power: Organized $ Values: All other motives Power: Organized People and organized $

How do we build power in the Civic Sector? Identifying common self interests we can only realize together Identifying common self interests we can only realize together Intentionally building relationships necessary to motivate and sustain action Intentionally building relationships necessary to motivate and sustain action

GCC to Date June 4, Olivet Baptist: 60 Clergy from 40 congregations June 4, Olivet Baptist: 60 Clergy from 40 congregations 50 congregational presentations 50 congregational presentations September 14, Fairmount Temple: 350 people from 30 congregations across Greater Cleveland September 14, Fairmount Temple: 350 people from 30 congregations across Greater Cleveland October: 250 people attend 3-part community organizing trainings. October: 250 people attend 3-part community organizing trainings. December: 100 leaders of congregational core teams gather to plan next steps December: 100 leaders of congregational core teams gather to plan next steps January 13: 300 leaders from 30 congregations train to lead small- group meetings. January 13: 300 leaders from 30 congregations train to lead small- group meetings. Feb-March: 2000 people participate in 200 small group meetings. Feb-March: 2000 people participate in 200 small group meetings. April 7: 350+ people gather at Park Synagogue to establish our first issue agenda. April 7: 350+ people gather at Park Synagogue to establish our first issue agenda.

Membership Interfaith Interfaith City/Suburb City/Suburb East/West East/West Interracial Interracial Dues Dues Active clergy and lay teams Active clergy and lay teams

Next Steps June 6 assembly to “ go public ” June 6 assembly to “ go public ” Announce membership Announce membership Present first issue platform: Education, Jobs, Health Care, Criminal Justice, Hunger Present first issue platform: Education, Jobs, Health Care, Criminal Justice, Hunger Summer research teams investigate issues Summer research teams investigate issues Fall: move into action on specific campaigns Fall: move into action on specific campaigns

Small Group Discussion 1. What issues would you like to see a group like this take on? 2. What obstacles do you see for Our Lady of the Lake ’ s participation?