query: issue vs. community organizing

[colist-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu]

[ed:  here is a query I hope we can spend some time discussing on COMM-ORG.]

From: Stephanie Beck Borden <sbeckborden at networklobby.org>

Hello all,

I know that this is a community organizing listserv and have enjoyed
reading and participating for several months now.

However, I'm challenged by the fact that I work with a national membership
organization focused on lobbying and advocating on national social justice
issues.  We organize our members (in all 50 states) to take action on
issues in Congress.  Our board is made up of women from all across the
country who are engaged in providing social services to women and families
living in poverty or doing grassroots organizing with these constituencies.

It has become apparent that I need to do some work around the differences
between national issue organizing and community grassroots organizing with
the board.  While I've been doing this type of organizing work for about
five years, I've been doing this by learning from other models here in
Washington, DC.  I don't want the dialogue with the board to be based
totally on my subjective learnings and intuition.  Does anyone know of any
good literature out there focused on national issue organizing?  Any
resource materials and organizations would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!!

Stephanie



Stephanie Beck Borden
Field Coordinator
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
202-547-5556 x 24
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For more than 25 years, a prophetic and
persistent voice for justice on Capitol Hill.