Stir It Up Lessons in Community Organizing & Advocacy

If social change organizations— local, regional and national— are to succeed they must go beyond traditional grassroots organizing efforts and develop systematic, comprehensive organizing practices that will change public policy and practice.

Stir It Up — written by renowned activist and trainer Rinku Sen?identifies the key priorities and strategies that can help advance the mission of any social change group. This groundbreaking book addresses the unique challenges and opportunities the new global economy poses for activist groups and provides concrete guidance for community organizations of all orientations.

Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation, Stir It Up draws on lessons learned from Sen's groundbreaking work with women's groups organizing for economic justice. Throughout the book, Sen walks readers through the steps of building and mobilizing a constituency and implementing key strategies that can effect social change. The book is filled with illustrative case studies that highlight best organizing practices in action and each chapter contains tools that can help groups tailor Sen's model for their own organizational needs. Stir It Up will show your organization how to

• Design and conduct actions that further campaign goals
• Develop effective leaders
• Build strong alliances and networks
• Generate and use solid research
• Design an effective media strategy
• Put in place a plan for internal political education and consciousness-raising

With the information, tools, and suggestions outlined in this book your organization can use your "good idea" to change the world.

"This book offers more than simply a best practice manual for community activism and social organizing." (Feminist Academic Press Column, May 2003)

In this much-needed book--part of the Chardon Press series--author, activist, and trainer Rinku Sen identifies the key priorities and effective strategies that can help advance the mission of any social change group. Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation, Stir It Up recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities the new economy poses for activist groups and provides current, concrete guidance for community organizations of all orientations.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-196) and index.

Stir It Up--written by renowned activist and trainer Rinku Sen--identifies the key priorities and strategies that can help advance the mission of any social change group. This groundbreaking book addresses the unique challenges and opportunities the new global economy poses for activist groups and provides concrete guidance for community organizations of all orientations.

Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation, Stir It Up draws on lessons learned from Sen's groundbreaking work with women's groups organizing for economic justice. Throughout the book, Sen walks readers through the steps of building and mobilizing a constituency and implementing key strategies that can effect social change. The book is filled with illustrative case studies that highlight best organizing practices in action and each chapter contains tools that can help groups tailor Sen's model for their own organizational needs. Stir It Up will show your organization how to:

• Design and conduct actions that further campaign goals
• Develop effective leaders
• Build strong alliances and networks
• Generate and use solid research
• Design an effective media strategy
• Put in place a plan for internal political education and consciousness-raising

With the information, tools, and suggestions outlined in this book your organization can use your "good idea" to change the world.

Rinku Sen is the publisher of ColorLines, the national quarterly magazine on race, culture, and action and the director of the New York office of the Applied Research Center. She was a codirector trainer for the Center for Third Organizing. Rinku has trained countless organizers, directed campaigns, and designed programs to advance race, gender, and class justice issues.

Sponsor

The Ms. Foundation for Women, a national, multi-issue, public women's fund, supports the efforts of women and girls to govern their own lives and influence the world around them. They fund and assist women's self-help organizing efforts, and pursue changes in public consciousness, law, philanthropy, and social policy. The foundation directs resources to break down barriers based on race, class, age, disability, sexual orientation and culture. The Foundation is the founder and sponsor of the annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day.

Exercises and Exhibits.

Preface.

The Author.

Profiles.

Introduction: Community Organizing—Yesterday and Today.

1. New Realities, Integrated Strategies.

2. Organizing New Constituencies.

3. Picking the Good Fight.

4. Ready, Set, Action!

5. Leading the Way.

6. Take Back the Facts.

7. United We Stand.

8. Speaking Truth to Power.

9. Education for Engagement.

Conclusion: Community Organizing—Tomorrow.

Resources.

References.

Index.