ORGANIZING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: The Midwest Academy Model

Vehicles for Change Direct Service Education Self-Help Advocacy Direct Action

Fundamental Principles of Direct Action Win concrete improvements in people’s lives Make people aware of their own power (by their victories) Alter the relations of power between people, the government, and other institutions by building strong permanent local, state and national organizations.

Six Steps of Direct Action Organizing Identify a problem Turn the problem into an issue Develop strategy Bring people to face the decision maker Decision maker reacts Win, regroup, identify next issue

Identify a problem Problem may be identified broadly or narrowly People agree on a solution to the problem and how to get it

Turn the problem into an issue An issue is a specific solution to a problem the group decides to work on – Example Air pollution (problem) Regulating power plant emissions (issue)

Develop a Strategy What are your long term and short term goals? What are your organizational strengths and weaknesses? Who cares about this problem? Who are your allies? Who has the power to give you what you want? What tactics can you use to apply your power and make it felt by those who can give you what you want?

Bring People to Face Decision Maker Use large events and actions to force the person with power to react. – Decision maker is the “target” of the campaign Decision make is an individual or a number of individuals—typically not a board or elected body as a whole – What is your power over the individuals? – Do you have members in their district?

Decision Maker Reacts to You You either get what you want or have to organize for the next round – Often takes several rounds before the fight is won Organizing is a whole campaign, not just a series of one shot events

Win, Regroup, Identify Next Issue