Community Involvement

With the passing of the recent elections, I think most people would agree that at least part of the huge turnout at the polls was due to organized efforts by community based groups.  One of the things we are learning about in my Community and Institutional conflict class is the power that people can have in creating change.  Whether it be a change in government policy or issues in a neighborhood organization, change can come as people get involved in the issues that affect them.  

I think one of the problems people have when there is an issue that is unfavorable to the people in a community is a lack of knowledge in getting a group organized to contest the issue.  Tonight I learned that there is a strategy to combating issues.  This strategy is a 5 part process. First, need to have goals (what are we going to accomplish?).  Second, need to have a group to target.  Third, need to have tactics (things we will do to bring target back to us).  Fourth, need to be aware of constituents, allies, and opponents (who they can help or harm you). And fifth, need to understand our own organizational considerations (what are our resources?).  

Community involvement can be a powerful tool as communities and people get involved and become aware of the resources available to them.