This diary is one in a series of diaries on community organizing that Philinmaine recently launched on DKos. The ones that he has done so far have covered the idea of having a series of "Nuts and Bolts" diaries on community organizing
, how to start (or energize) a local Dem committee [http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/4/2/92522/47381, and holding good meetings [
http://www.dailykos.com/...]. More below, including specific book suggestions. P.S.: Sorry for the formatting problems--this is my first diary.
While Philinmaine has many years of experience in organizing, I only got active in politics starting with the Kerry campaign in the summer of 2004. For me, reading books is a fast, easy way to shorten my learning curve. I also benefit from the authors' accumulated wisdom and gain a better sense of the "big picture" of which strategies and particular tactics might have the most impact.
Below I'll list some of my favorite on-line and print books on community organizing, tell something I particularly like about each one, and suggest ways to use the books--including for community organizing itself. In your responses, please offer your suggestions on these or other books that you've found to be helpful. (These books focus on community organizing, not on political campaigns. In a future posting I'll offer some suggestions on books to read on that subject, and courses and workshops to take.)
Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements. This is the best single book that I have found that explains in clear, non-academic language the PROCESS (not just the specific tactics) of social movements. It's especially good in terms of the different roles that people can play in a social movement ("citizen," "rebel," "reformer," "change agent"), and why we should accept and celebrate those different roles (instead of condemning someone else in the movement who doesn't do it "our way"). Also has case studies on the civil rights movement and four other major movements. More info: [http://www.amazon.com/...]
The Citizen's Handbook: A Guide to Building Community is a very comprehensive on-line handbook (available free at: It includes a particularly good "avoiding grassroots wilt" section on the human relationships in community organizing. It's also available in a regular printed book version entitled "The Troublemaker's Teaparty: A Manual for Effective Citizen Action." More info at: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0865714894/ref=nosim/104-1601824-7933542?n=283155
MoveOn's 50 Ways to Love Your Country: How to Find Your Political Voice and Become a Catalyst for Change has 50 short essays by members of MoveOn describing their personal experiences with different forms of activism. Helpful, inspiring suggestions. More at: [http://www.amazon.com/...]
The One-Hour Activist: The 15 Most Powerful Actions You Can Take to Fight for the Issues and Candidates You Care About is pretty much what the title says. Many of the suggested activities are similar to those in "MoveOn's 50 Ways," but covered in a little more depth. Info at: [http://www.amazon.com/...]
Organizing for Social Change. Midwest Academy Manual for Activists. A very comprehensive guide that covers the fundamentals of organizing, specific skills, aspects of running a formal organization (such as fundraising and financial and legal matters), and resources (even songs!). More information: [http://www.amazon.com/...]
Take Action! A Guide for Active Citizenship covers many of the same community organizing techniques as the last several books listed above, but it's especially intended for young people, even down to the high school level. Uses an attractive, appealing graphic design and simple, clear writing. More info: [http://www.amazon.com/...]
While reading any of the books on your own can be helpful, you can also use the books themselves for community organizing. Get together with other members of your local activist group, buy several of the books, and set up a "lending library." Establish an ongoing book club in your community to read these and other books with other activists. (For example, a discussion that I attended on the "Doing Democracy" book was outstanding). Take a chapter from one of the books, and find a teacher or other person who has public speaking or training experience, and run a two- or three-hour workshop on a Saturday or Sunday. (See the "Designing and Leading a Workshop" chapter in the "Organizing for Social Change" book). Run a condensed workshop at your group's monthly meet-up.
So how do you decide which book you want to start reading, or find a better alternative for your particular needs? An easy way is to look through the more extensive descriptions for the books that are given on Amazon.com, along with the customer reviews. If a book has the "Search inside this book" feature, take a look at the table of contents, to see if the book covers organizing activities and skills that are important to you. Also look at the "Customers who bought this item also bought" listing for alternatives. And look for any "Listmania" lists, where other Amazon.com customers give their suggestions on that book and similar ones.
So what books have you read that you think would be useful to Kossacks interested in community organizing?