Organizing For Action

A Planning Outline - Keeping On Track

Steps that help successful organizers succeed

(Compliments of Pat Lee - plee@calfac.org - CFA)
Presented at the May 3, 2003 COCAL CALIFORNIA Conference, CEW Organizing Breakout)


I. Making a Plan

Defining the Mission – Overarching goal.

Defining the Specific Goal that meets the mission.
What is/are the Issue(s)?
What do you want to accomplish?
Crafting the message – Clear, succinct and unifying.
Identifying the audience – who are you trying to reach?
What activity attracts your audience?
Building a Team Structure – the Core.
Recruiting the core team of activists.
Target and Invite.
Clear Roles.
Steady Communications.
Committees – Outreach, logistics, medi.
Logistics – Checklists.

II. Executing the Plan.

Drawing the Map.
Geography - Priorities, Tiers.
History and lists.
Assignments.

Making a Calendar.
List Building, systems.
Recruitment.
Working a meeting.
Reminder calls.

III. After the Success.
Victories and Celebrations.
Acknowledgement and follow-up.
Creating a List.
Debrief.
Next Steps.

 

Always Remember

A. Pick and Shovel Organizing.
Getting to the goal.
B. Creating the environment of a campaign.
Enthusiasm and Fun.
Communications system.
Escalation, Markers and Milestone.
Creating a Buzz.
C. Getting Commitments.
The Rap.
The Ask.
Talking vs. listening.
Tracking – Making a Char.
Real commitments vs. maybes.
D. The Activity.
What do you want to accomplish at the activity?
Do you have an Ask?
How do you get it, what is the follow up?
Get signups.