Overview
In life, we are all natural strategists. From simple things, like working out the best way to get to an appointment on time, or how to surprise a loved one with a holiday gift, to more serious challenges: figuring out how to meet our work deadlines, how to juggle kids, chores, work, and still finding a little time to rest, how to deal with loss and grief in challenging times.
Strategy is hard coded into our bodies. The question for organizers is: how do we become intentional about developing strategies that bring more people in, enable new people to take leadership, and that can be learned from so you can improve each time.
In this course, participants will learn and practice the Strategy components of our Grassroots Organizing Framework. Using practice scenarios, you will have the opportunity to work with others to practice setting goals, doing basic power analysis, identifying key resources, and creating an escalating tactical timeline that moves you towards your objective. Just as importantly, you will have the chance to experience what collaborative strategy can look like so you can bring it back to your community.
Who is this for?
- Organizers, campaigners, and activists who want to build successful grassroots campaigns.
- Organizers and campaigners who are looking to build their strategy muscle
- Leaders who care deeply about their cause and are looking to build their work in proactive, not just reactive, ways.
What will you learn?
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Create a power map—a tool to strengthen your power analysis
- Lay out a clear and concise theory of change
- Create a timeline of tactics that support your strategic goal
Lesson Plan
Introduction to Organizing & Leadership; Basics of Leadership Teams
- Learn about the power of grassroots organizing as a power building tool
- Learn about leadership as a practice of enabling others to achieve purpose
- Practice setting up the basic pillars of effective interdependent leadership teams
Strategy 1: Power & Goals
- Learn how to set effective, clear strategic goals that center recruiting others as the main tool for growth
- Practice power analysis: understanding yourself, your constituency, and the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents
- Practice laying out a theory of change and a strategic goal
Strategy 2: Tactics & Timeline
- Learn the principles of effective, engaging, motivating tactics
- Practice brainstorming & analyzing tactics based on the resources available to your constituency
- Practice building a tactical escalation timeline that can guide your strategy
Putting It All Together
- Learn how to revise and sharpen your campaign strategy
- Reflect on your learnings & how to apply the framework to your own campaigns
Expectations
This is an interactive course with live practice. We ask participants to write in the chat box, share verbally, and participate in breakout group discussion. During breakouts, all participants will be asked to practice. We encourage, but do not require, participants to turn on video at all times, and especially during breakout discussions. If you are unable or unwilling to practice during breakouts, we ask that you let our Lead Trainer know, and you will not be placed in a breakout room. While we will respect that choice, we offer that this course may not be for you as the bulk of the learning happens in the breakout practice.
