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Home > Classroom > Trainings & Events > Grassroots Organizing: Storytelling Academy

Grassroots Organizing: Storytelling Academy

December 16, 2022

Overview

Through narrative and storytelling, we—as individuals, communities and nations—can learn how to make choices in response to the challenges of the uncertain world we live in. Narrative is how we communicate our values through stories, bringing alive the motivation we need for changing the world. Because it engages the head and the heart, narrative can instruct and inspire, not only teaching us about why we should act but also moving us to take action.

In this course, participants will learn the public narrative framework and will develop stories about why they are called to leadership (“story of self”), how their values are connected to the collective values of their communities (“story of us”), and what challenges to our values demand urgent action (“story of now”). They will also learn how to effectively coach and support others in developing and sharing their stories.

Who is this course for?

  • Open to new things: Participants should be movement-focused people who want to learn a framework for organizing. We welcome folks who are totally new to organizing, or who have been doing organizing for some time but don’t feel like they have a good structure for it. 
  • Relational & people-focused: Ideal participants are excited to build relationships, to invest in the leadership of others, and to build teams of purpose-driven leaders.
  • Involved in movement work: We seek to support organizers who are currently part of an organizing effort or are seeking to build one alongside others they know.

Ideal applicants come from all walks of life, from seasoned organizers and campaigners looking to sharpen their skills, to beginners who are passionate about organizing and want to start their learning journey. Here are some attributes shared by all our applicants:

Organizing Insight: You don’t need to be a professional organizer but we’re looking for applicants with some experience doing organizing and/or community-building work on the ground. That work can be tied to grassroots, electoral, and/or issue organizing. We seek to support people who are currently part of an organizing/community-building effort or are seeking to develop one.

Dedication to Inclusive Politics and Intersectional Solutions: At re:power, we center race, class, gender and sexuality across all our trainings—it’s part of our practice of inclusive politics. We want organizers to be open to new ideas regarding it and to the ideas and contributions from their fellow organizers who will reflect our diverse communities.

Course 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.

Lesson Plan

Narrative for Leadership & Story of Self

  • Learn about the power of storytelling as a leadership tool
  • Practice developing and sharing a personal narrative
  • Practice asking curious questions and coaching others’ narratives

Story of Us

  • Learn how to use group narratives to intervene in moments of crisis, and elevate moments of celebration
  • Practice developing and sharing community narratives that motivate & inspire people
  • Practice asking curious questions and coaching others’ narratives

Story of Now & Linked Narratives

  • Learn how to use stories of urgency and opportunity to agitate and motivate action
  • Practice developing and sharing stories that cut through the noise and focus activity
  • Practice asking curious questions and coaching others’ narratives

Applications Closed

Type Training
Category Movement Building
Cost Sliding scale* $50–200 (full cost)
Dates March 15 –April 5
Location Online
Time Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 pm ET

*We believe people with more wealth, privilege, and access to money—and who benefit from systems of oppression—should pay more.

If you work at an organization with more than 60 employees, please ask your employer to cover the full cost of this training. If there’s anything that would help you make the request, please let us know.We know that this might be a new way of looking at things. Please reach out to grassroots@repower.org if you have any questions.

Additional Information

What do people do with their re:power grassroots organizing training?

Leaders trained in this curriculum have gone on to be organizers, leaders, trainers, and coaches in organizations all across the country and the world. Our participants work at institutions that organize at the local, state and federal level.

What’s the schedule? Can I come at different times each week?

Each week we will offer one unique session. Each session will run approximately 120 minutes in length and may include optional homework.

Attendance in all sessions is requested and encouraged, as each session builds upon the previous one, and missing sessions will hurt not only your own learning, but that of your peers as the practices are collaborative. Ultimately we understand the complex lives of organizers and people during the time of COVID, and so each session will also be recorded and available afterwards.

How much time should I expect to spend on the course?

Participants should set aside about 2–3 hours a week for coursework—including attending live webinar sessions, homework, and biweekly office hours.

What equipment or software do I need to be able to attend the course?

You will need a technological device capable of connecting to the Internet. Windows machines, Macs and Unix boxes all welcome. We will be using Zoom and request that whenever possible, you turn on the video function.

Will we receive copies of the materials I saw in class?

Yes. Copies of the slides, handouts and other supplementary materials will be available to all trainees. We thank you in advance for your feedback.

I have a disability/ need support or an accommodation.

We are dedicated to supporting all of our trainees in their learning. If you need an accommodation or additional support of any kind, please email grassroots@repower.org

Past requests for support have included, but were not limited to: early access to materials, different colored hand outs, an alternative method for completing quizzes, requesting facilitators speak directly into the camera and more.

Questions? Please contact us at grassroots@repower.org

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