1. 1 Grassroots Organizing & Coalition Building… Skills to transform IDEAS into ACTION! American Medical Student Association

2. 2 Three crucial ingredients for political change “Policy provides direction and an agenda for action; grassroots organizing builds a constituency to fight for change; and electoral politics is the main way, in the absence of sweeping social movements, that we contest for power and hold decision-makers accountable for progressive public policy.” Paul Wellstone, February 18, 2001 from "Winning Politics," The Nation Good public policy Grassroots organizing Electoral Politics

3. 3 Types of Grassroots Organizing

4. 4 Strategic Planning… n …is not the same as simple planning n …is planning that works within, around, and through power relationships n …is the way that you get what you want from somebody n …is the FIRST step of direct action, not something you do in the middle

5. 5 Planning - Midwest Academy Style http://www.midwestacademy.com Long Term Goals (Problems) ResourcesConstituents & Allies Primary TargetsTactics Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe BenefitsSecondary Targets Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal ConflictsOpponents

6. 6 Goals – Keeping your eyes on the prize! Long Term Goals (Problems) What’s the overarching problem you are working on? Issue Goals (Solutions) What one step can I take that will help me reach my long term goal? Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Am I making progress in reaching my issue goal?

7. 7 Issue Goals n BIG PROBLEMS have multiple “partial” solutions u Long-term goal: increase healthcare access in America u Issue Goals: F Pass legislation that guarantees access to all children F Pass legislation that expands Medicaid eligibility F Pass legislation that sets up a single-payer system in America

8. 8 Internal Considerations – Costs? Benefits? Conflict? Long Term Goals (Problems) Resources How much will it cost my group/coalition to win? Time, talent, treasure. Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits What will my group gain by being part of this campaign? Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal Conflicts Turf issues, personnel issues

9. 9 Power Grid / Coalition Building Long Term Goals (Problems) ResourcesConstituents & Allies Who has something to gain from my winning? Who must I have on board to win? Who loves me and will do whatever I ask? Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe Benefits Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal ConflictsOpponents Who has something to lose? How strong are they?

10. 10 Targets - Who can give you what you want? Long Term Goals (Problems) ResourcesConstituents & Allies Primary Targets People who can give me what I want (i.e., if we get this person on board, we win the issue) Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe BenefitsSecondary Targets People who have more power over the primary target than me. Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal ConflictsOpponents

11. 11 Tactics - Putting on the pressure to win! Long Term Goals (Problems) ResourcesConstituents & Allies Primary TargetsTactics Things/activities, etc. you do to the targets Confronting the targets with expressions of your power Putting on the pressure Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe BenefitsSecondary Targets Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal ConflictsOpponents

12. 12 Midwest Academy Pathway to Success! http://www.midwestacademy.com Long Term Goals (Problems) ResourcesConstituents & Allies Primary TargetsTactics Issue Goals (Solutions) Fringe BenefitsSecondary Targets Short Term Goals (Specific steps) Internal ConflictsOpponents Empower your base to Do To So they give you Action! Decision- makers What you want Strengthen your base To Ultimate Goal !!! To continue the fight for

13. 13 Coalition Building 101

14. 14 Coalition Building takes time n You need time to develop relationships n You need time to go through organization processes n You need time for representatives to educate their own members about your issue

15. 15 Why build coalitions? n Ignore people in power UNTIL you have built a powerful coalition

16. 16 Who to target? n Aim for “low-hanging fruit” first, then “climb the tree” to harder groups n Organizational leaders first…organizational members Second

17. 17 Rule of the thirds n Rabid 1/3 of population u Will do anything for the cause! n Middle 1/3 of population n Anti 1/3 of population u Hate your cause and everything about it

18. 18 The goal… n Have them sign something! u Resolution or statement of support n Have them help with your tactics n Have them commit resources

19. 19 Summary n Direct action is a form of grassroots organizing that challenges power relationships n Strategic planning is always the first step when you plan ANY direct action campaign n Coalition building is needed to implement your strategic plan