Direct Action Organizing
Jan 01, 2000
Table of Contents
I. The Direct Action Organizing Process
There are different methods of organizing or ways of making social change, and all have their uses. This section explains the five major methods, and introduces Direct Action Organizing.
II. Forms of Power
Exactly what is power, and how does is relate to organizing for social change? This section outlines some guidelines for measuring the power you actually have.
III. Majority Strategy
This section explains majority strategy, where the issues you choose need to be ones that a majority of people will support, and that will not be actively opposed by organized groups with larger numbers.
IV. Cautions
Common sense is often your best sense.
V. Choosing an Issue
There is an important difference between a problem and an issue. In this session we will draw that distinction, and then develop a checklist of what makes good organizing problems and issues
VI. Using the Strategy Chart
The strategy chart is one of the most useful tools that we have found for consistently doing good planning. The value of the chart is that it poses the right questions in the right order.
VII. Additional Resources
Where to get more information on Direct Action Organizing.
About the Midwest Academy
Inspired by years of organizing in the student, labor, women’s and civil rights movements, Heather Booth founded the Midwest Academy in 1973 with Steve Max, the Academy’s training director. Jackie Kendall became Executive Director in 1982. The Academy works with staff and leaders from hundreds of environmental, consumer, senior citizen, housing, church, and community organizations, and helps them to develop strategy and organize campaigns.
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