Sylvia Ramirez Benatti University of the District of Columbia

 UDC is an Urban Land Grant University and the public institution in the city  Spring 2009 a members of different local unions approached the department chair of Urban Affairs, Social Sciences, and Social Work about the creation of an Institute for Community Organizing and Change.

 Higher Education for Community Change - Andy Mott – Community Learning Partnership Collective Action Strategy and Analysis Issue Expertise Leadership and Management

 The Principles and Practices of Organizing in Communities and Organizations  Taking content to context  Guest speaker each week from either labor, political or grassroots organizing addressing the topic of the week ◦ Community Organizing and Development, 4 th ed. Authors Rubin, Herbert J. & Rubin, Irene S. (ISBN )

 15 students – a mix of Urban Studies and Political Science majors  Partnered with 5 nonprofit organizations representing labor, political and grassroots organizations.  Assigned students in teams of 3 to work in organizations to experience frontline organizing for example Jobs with Justice – Washington DC Immigration Rally/March.

 Fall 2010 – Offer Community Organizing course  Adding Community Organizers ‘– Tool kit  Summer 2011 – Institute for Community Organizing & Change.

Sylvia Benatti