1. Wendy L. DuCassé, MSW, LCSW HN299 Unit 7: Organizing a Community

2. Unit Goals and Objectives HN299-1: Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the theoretical bases, best practices, historical and current trends related to the Human Services profession HN299-2: Demonstrate an understanding of the application of theory and skills to identify, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions involving client needs and delivery systems in the Human Services profession

3. Key Terms Coalition: - An alliance, especially a temporary one, of people, factions, parties, or nations Grassroots: - People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity. Often used with the. - The groundwork or source of something.

4. What is community organizing? Community organizing is a process where people who live in proximity to each other come together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest. **A core goal of community organizing is to generate durable power for an organization representing the community, allowing it to influence key decision-makers on a range of issues over time. In the ideal, for example, this can get community organizing groups a place at the table before important decisions are made. power Source: Bobo, Kim; et al. (2001). Organizing for social change: Midwest Academy: Manual for activists. Seven Locks.

5. Community Organizing isn’t… It isn't: Activism Mobilizing Advocacy Social Movements Legal Action Direct Service Community Development Nonpartisan Dialogues About Community Problems Source: Schutz, Aaron. "Core Dilemmas of Organizing: What is Community Organizing? What isn't Community Organizing?"."Core Dilemmas of Organizing: What is Community Organizing? What isn't Community Organizing?"

6. Why Community Organization? 1. Extreme need for change. 2. Community unrest. 3. Community boiling point/crisis. 4. Identification of current problems (formal or informal needs assessment) 5. Desire to influence local government

7. History of Community Organizing 1800-1900: organization of immigrant neighborhoods, Newsboy Strike 1900-1940: community organizing seen as separate entity from social work 1940-1960: Saul Alinsky was the first person in America to address key strategies and aims of community organizing 1960-beyond: movements about societal need for change, violations of civil rights

8. Examples of Community Organization in American History 1. Boycotts 2. Civil Rights Era 3. Feminist Movement 4. Movements around Poverty Examples in your community??

9. Goals of Community Organization The primary goals of community organization are Voice Choice for the citizens: -voice: having a say in what takes place in the community, having a place to make suggestions that will be considered, being engaged in the process of change -choice: not only having a say, but also having proper education on alternatives, being presented with adequate alternatives, being presented with reasonable alternatives

10. Steps to Community Organizing 1. Formal or informal community assessment 2. Identify local stakeholders (citizens) 3. With the local stakeholders, identify others 4. Conversation about needs and long term change 5. Set goals 6. Community action

11. Challenges to Community Organization 1. Political affiliation 2. Religious affiliation 3. Differing agendas 4. How to engage the community 5. Community buy in 6. Community fear 7. Community unrest

12. Our Role in Community Organization 1. Listen 2. Learn 3. Co-lead (we ARE NOT in charge) 4. Educate 5. Investigate 6. Marketing

13. To Sum It Up…. Field Trip…let’s go! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc94rnstLxw

14. Final Thoughts?