Community Organizing Training Series Part 1: Relational Power Part 2: Building Powerful Organizations Part 3: Initiating Public Relationships

Key Themes of Community Organizing Power Power Self-interests Self-interests Relationships Relationships

Definition of Power “To be able” “To be able” The ability to act The ability to act

Ways of Understanding Power Dominant Power Dominant Power Unilateral (one-way) Unilateral (one-way) Zero-sum Zero-sum Power “over” Power “over” Relational Power Relational Power Multi-lateral Multi-lateral Increasing Increasing Power “with” Power “with”

Discuss with Partner Tell a story of a time in you life when you were acted on by dominant power, and what if anything you did about it. Tell a story of a time in you life when you were acted on by dominant power, and what if anything you did about it. Keep the story “public” Keep the story “public” Spend 5 minutes swapping stories. Spend 5 minutes swapping stories.

Sources of Power in a Democracy Position Position Organized Money Organized Money Organized People Organized People

Context for Community Organizing Public Sector Elected officials (national, state, and local) Government Agencies Civic Sector Families Religious Congregations Labor Unions Civic associations Advocacy Groups Private Sector Financial Services Energy companies Real Estate/Construction 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 $

Context for Community Organizing Public Sector Civic Sector Private Sector 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 $

Three Levels of Power 1. Get to the table 2. Make a deal 3. Keep a deal

Our Purpose: Relational Power for Justice Ability to get to the decision making table and negotiate on behalf of our interests and values Ability to get to the decision making table and negotiate on behalf of our interests and values Make and keep deals Make and keep deals Organizing our people and our money Organizing our people and our money

Paul Tillich on Power Power without love = tyranny Power without love = tyranny Love without power = sentimentality Love without power = sentimentality Power + Love = Justice Power + Love = Justice

Frederick Douglas on Power “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

Next Trainings Homework: Malcolm Gladwell Article October 14, 7-9 pm Tifereth Israel Theme: Building powerful organizations October 21, 7-9 pm Trinity Cathedral Theme: Initiating Public Relationships