Explore how communities can take care of each other’s needs equitably during a changing climate future.

This survey of nonprofit professionals in the social and educational sectors is a partnership of Stanford University and Project Evident.

Guidance for using generative AI responsibly from NTEN.

UPDATED FOR THE SECOND EDITION!

UPDATED FOR THE SECOND EDITION!

This workbook is meant to help you apply the
recommendations to your organizing practice and culture. Whether you’re currently involved in a multiracial, cross-class climate coalition, thinking about starting one, or evaluating a past coalition, we hope this workbook clarifies for you and your partners the breadth of considerations and decisions you will likely face.

Power mapping supports organizers in understanding the stakeholders within their campaign. This resource offers step by step instructions and tips for power mapping your campaign.

People’s Action Institute worked with member affiliates New Jersey Resource Project (NJRP) and Maine People’s Resource Center (MPRC) to conduct two deep canvassing projects focused on building community support for offshore wind power development. In the Spring and early Summer of 2024, canvassers from these organizations held conversations with over 1,400 local residents in Lacey Township, NJ and the Midcoast region of Maine combined.

This resource delves into the critical role of power in achieving social change, highlighting the necessity of understanding, challenging, and transforming power dynamics. It outlines various forms of power, including "power over," "power within," "power with," and "power to," discussing their implications in movement building. Power within: to dream, believe in oneself, hope, create and solve problems. Without it, we do not speak out and step up. Sometimes we believe this is the most unstoppable form of power. Power with: finding common ground with others, building solidarity on reciprocity and love, knowing, and respecting differences, and working together for a common purpose and ideals. Power to: make change, change lives, and make a difference in the world one step at a time; even the power to think, imagine, be silent, and resist the status quo. Power for: the combined vision, values and demands that orient our work and hold the seeds of the world we seek to create. The framework underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing visible, hidden, and invisible power structures to create equitable societies. JASS provides tools and methodologies for activists to build and mobilize power effectively in their advocacy efforts.

Tactics are the activities you use to influence your (primary/ secondary) target in order to achieve your goal. Escalation tactics are sequenced in a strategic way. It is important to agree on both before you begin your campaign. Another important definition is Action. The activist and author Rinku Sen defines this as: “a face-to face confrontation between your constituency and an individual target over a specific demand.” A tactic should be simple or time-bound; that could be simple action over a period of time; lots of actions in a short period of time. Effective tactics that have been used by local groups in the past include: posting contradictions or inconsistencies in course materials or textbooks on social media; walk-outs; boycotts; marches; and more. Unfortunately, no matter how well-planned our tactics are, it might be that the decision-maker still doesn’t make the change that you want. In that case, it’s important to ‘escalate’ our activities.

This resource can equip activists with the skills necessary to map and comprehend power structures effectively. The training emphasizes visualizing relationships among stakeholders, identifying key influencers, and developing strategic approaches to engage them. Participants learn to clearly define their campaign goals and navigate complex power dynamics, which is crucial for effective advocacy. This structured approach to power analysis aims to enhance the impact and success of social change initiatives. Power mapping is a method which visualizes how power is exercised across the whole playing field, allowing you to target key players and forward plan tactics for maximum impact. Determine who is anchoring decision-makers against you, how you can weaken this hold to sustain the change you are working to achieve.