[COMM-ORG] Midwest Academy wants some feedback

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From:     Judy Hertz <judy at midwestacademy.com>

Hi,
As you may know, the Midwest Academy Manual, a book we wrote which 
covers our community organizing training materials and more, is often 
used in college classes as well as by organizers in the field.  Every 
year, a handful of professors call us asking if we have materials to go 
with the book -- exercises, role plays, other readings, etc.  And every 
year, a handful of people from academia come through our five-day 
training and use it as a springboard for developing materials for class.
So now we are considering putting together a two and a half day session 
for people teaching community organizing -- undergrad classes, MSW 
classes, seminaries, MAs in public policy, etc.  I'm interested in 
getting some feedback from the comm-org list -- the perfect list for 
this question, I think!
Does this sound like something people from academia might be interested 
in?  (Not necessarily comm-orgians (or is it comm-orgers? 
comm-orgsters?) who may already know more than most others -- but also 
not just "other" people who may not exist).
If you think it would draw participants, do you have thoughts about what 
type of content would be most useful?  Thoughts about length (2.5 days 
okay?), and what would be a reasonable cost range for 2 1/2 days (not 
including lodging, and if we do it, it will be in the Chicago Loop).  If 
we announce it in two weeks, is that enough lead time to attract people 
for the end of June?  Is there a better time than the end of June?
Any and all feedback would be very much appreciated; email me at 
judy at midwestacademy.com <mailto:judy at midwestacademy.com>.  For those not 
familiar with the Midwest Academy, we are a 39-year-old national 
training institute for progressive community organizing, training and/or 
consulting with everyone from neighborhood organizations up to and 
including large national organizations like Working America, the United 
Methodist Church, the Sierra Club, etc.  Here's our website with more 
info: www.midwestacademy.com <http://www.midwestacademy.com/>
And don't hesitate to write if you think it is NOT something that would 
draw participants!  We'd rather hear it now than find out after we do 
all the work!!!
Best wishes,
Judy

****************************************
Judy Hertz
Executive Director
Midwest Academy
27 E. Monroe #1100
Chicago, IL 60603
312-427-2304
judy at midwestacademy.com <mailto:judy at midwestacademy.com>