Thoughts on Grassroots Organizing
The Obama campaign vividly demonstrated the power of mass civic participation. But many organizers still struggle with questions of efficacy and legitimacy.
Can we mobilize large groups of people while also fostering a sense of engagement by individual participants? How can an organization's members hold their leaders accountable? What distinct challenges arise when working with communities that face social, economic, or political marginalization?
Veteran organizers Zack Exley, Ai-jen Poo and Zephyr Teachout discussed these and other questions in a recent panel, drawing lessons from past mobilizations—including the Dean and Kerry campaigns, Domestic Workers United, MoveOn.org, and others—and offered ideas for building grassroots power today.
Listen above.
