Tools for Radical Democracy

Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos are cofounders of Community Voices Heard, a leading social justice organization in New York City and the United States. They are experienced organizers, trainers, university lecturers, and recipients of the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World Award.

"if you're looking for a practical how-to guide to building community power without a lot of excursions into the ins and outs of fundraising, Tools is just the ticket." (Philanthropy News Digest, 03/04/08) " It is well-organized and easy to use." (CharityVillage.com, 10/29/2007)"…it is refreshing to see a book that focuses downward- at the community level- and outward- at social movements." (Nonprofit Online News, 09/05/2007)"The authors offer a guide to involving and organizing others -- especially the most marginalized members of society -- in a social-justice movement. Throughout the book are examples of meeting agendas, campaign plans, surveys to determine the key issues that are important to local residents, lists of desired qualities in community-organizing leaders, and other resources that can serve as templates." --Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 10, 2008

• Foreword ixPeter EdelmanPreface: Why We Believe in Organizing and Building Power xiiiThe Authors xviiIntroduction: The Power of Participation xixThe Story of Community Voices Heard xxxiPart One Building Community Power 11. Taking It On: Starting to Build Power 32. Powering Up 23Part Two Building a Base for Power 353. Recruiting Constituents for Collective Action 374. Involving Members in Building Their Own Organization 615. Developing Leaders from All Walks of Life 816. Uploading Technology 109Part Three Developing and Running Campaigns 1257. Identifying the Right Issue 1298. Researching the Politics of an Issue 1559. Developing a Winning Strategy 18310. Planning a Comprehensive Campaign 20911. Implementing an Effective Campaign 23912. Running Kick-A** Actions! 26113. Evaluating a Campaign from Beginning to End 301Part Four Building a Movement 32314. Forging Partnerships for Power 32515. Moving from Self-Interest to Social Change: Movement-Building 345Conclusion: Putting Your Principles into Practice 361Resources Supporting the Work of Organizing 373A. Organizing Lingo 375B. Raising Money for Organizing 379C. Power in the Voting Booth: Electoral Organizing 389D. Training Tips 399E. Approaches to Addressing Community Problems 407F. Creating a Legal Community Power-Building Organization 411G. For More Information 413H. The Phases and Steps of a Campaign: An Annotated Case Example 415Index 425