Mulling the Lawn: A Grassroots Review
Legislative Breakfast Calendar
Email us with details about legislative breakfasts we don’t know about!
Donor Centered Fundraising
I recently presented at a conference hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Northern New England and the Council on Fundraising on building strong leaders. I am glad I stayed after my presentation to hear the keynote speaker, Penelope Burk, President of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. Penelope’s presentation was engaging, funny, and informative. She [...]
Thoughts from “Effective Citizen Lobbying, Inside & Outside the Statehouse” Panel
Last week, I participated in a panel at the Environmental Action Conference 2011. The session’s title was Effective Citizen Lobbying, Inside & Outside the Statehouse. My assignment was to talk about what tactics a group can use from outside the statehouse to support a lobbyist working inside the statehouse. Activists can help support the lobbyists [...]
Action Circles Organizing Workshop, Berlin, 10/21
I will be offering an all-day Action Circles Organizing Workshop on Friday, October 21, 2011, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm in Berlin, VT. Please print out and mail in the registration form to reserve your spot in this workshop. Registration is due by Monday, October 17th. Cost is $90 for the whole day and includes a full-color workbook. Please bring your own lunch. Coffee & Tea will be available.
Transforming Ordinary Workers into Extraordinary Leaders at ADAPTATIONS, Manchester, NH, 11/4
I’ll be presenting at the ADAPTATIONS: Partnerships, Plans & Philanthropy conference on November 4, 2011, at the Manchester, NH, Radisson Hotel. View the full schedule for ADAPTATIONS here.
Transforming Ordinary Workers into Extraordinary Leaders
In this workshop, participants will learn how to effectively use the Action Circles model and Invite-Support-Feedback-Invite loop to build leadership capacity and enthusiasm within their organization. We will learn how to look beyond the board and develop and utilize high-level volunteers throughout the organization, while at the same time strengthening the board and its commitment. Participants will learn how to apply strategies across a variety of communication platforms – from phone calling to facebook. Participants will also learn strategies for effectively getting more of the organization’s leaders involved in fundraising. Participants will receive a toolkit with specific strategies and tips for applying the concepts learned.
Facebook 101 at the Boston Social Media Summit on September 20th
I’ll be presenting at the Boston Social Media Summit on September 20th, as part of the Facebook 101 panel. My focus will be on how to develop great content for your organization’s Facebook page. Others on the panel will be talking about how to make an editorial calendar, and how to fit your Facebook strategy into your overall media strategy. I’ll also be part of the mentoring sessions at the Summit, offering one-on-one advice to attendees. Find out more about the Summit, and register here.
Vermont Yankee: Whose Choice?
The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant has been controversial ever since it was built in Vernon 40 years ago. Despite protests, the plant was licensed and built and began operations in 1972. As its license nears expiration, Vermonters have been debating whether the plant should be relicensed and continue to operate for another 20 years.
Fairness and respect must guide Hunger Mountain labor talks
What I am appreciating during this difficult time is the union’s willingness to stand for the workers, and to insist that they are paid well. This is a difficult thing in a small community. Yet, it is incredibly important. We must set our expectations high, and begin from a place of abundance. We can afford to pay these workers well. It’s that simple. And if, for some reason we think we can’t, then we should look at where our priorities are, and have a conversation about that.
Why is feminism a radical notion?
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What does a feminist look like? I have identified as a feminist for pretty much all of my adult life. It is the one ist I will claim.
Please Don’t Empower Me
A friend asked me the other day to remind him why I don’t like to use the word empower when I am doing organizing work. I believe that when we talk about “empowering” people, we make an inherent assumption that the people we are working with don’t already have power, and our action is what gives them power. I believe that everyone has power, and that my job as an organizer is to support people in using their power, share my power with them, and build collective power to stop oppression.
