There are three main methods that you can use to learn more about organizing: reading, talking, and doing. It is generally a good idea to use these methods in the order listed. Read about the field and if you're still interested, then talk to people, asking questions
that are often prompted by what you've read. If your interest remains strong, you can arrange for some actual experience. Each method takes more time than the one preceding it but each provides more information to help you with your career decisions and job search or
graduate school plans. Here's some further information on each of the three:
Reading - It's a good idea to read about both positions and about the organizations that provide them. Here are some ways to do so:
Go to the Web sites of organizations that interest you to learn about their mission, campaigns, and other activities. Guidestar, The National Organizers' Alliance, National Peoples' Action, and Idealist each have databases searchable by factors such
as name, location, organizational category, and area of focus.
Check your library for helpful books such as the National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations, or Public Interest Profiles. The book "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky provides a nice way to get a feel for this field. Alinsky's biography, and his
books, can be found on the All-Time Favorites section of the Economic Justice Bookstore. A second book you will find there is Generation React: Activism for Beginners by Danny Seo. Also, the Midwest
Academy publishes Organizing for Social Change.
- For a list of additional articles published by the Enterprise Foundation go to www.nhlink.net//cdc/r04.htm
Talking - This can be a lot of fun and an effective way to learn about this field. Consider yourself an information "detective" and interview community organizers. Do some Web research to locate organizations near you that employ professional organizers, then
make calls to arrange brief meetings. For information interview guidelines: http://www.ynpn.org/banjo/ol_book/chp8.htm. Nonprofit career fairs provide another way for you to talk to people in the field.
For dates and locations of Idealist.org Nonprofit Career Fairs, go to http://www.idealist.org/fairs.html. You can also "talk" on line. Here are two good options:
The Web Forum on the Activist web site to share your opinions on current issues with others.
COMM-ORG, the "on-line conference on community organizing and development. Join the discussion list at http://comm-org.utoledo.edu/
Doing - You can learn the most by actually being involved in organizing work especially through internships and summer jobs. When they aren't available, volunteer roles can teach you a lot while enabling you to strengthen your rsum at
the same time. They can also give you the flexibility to gain a few hours of experience each week while you work or attend school full time. See "How Can I Get Some Organizing Experience?" Organizations on your college campus
may provide ways for you to get involved in causes or movements that appeal to you. Also, the Center for Campus Organizing supports campus activism in many ways. Check out their Campus Organizing Program.
Quotes from People in The Field
"There is no better way to learn about organizing than to jump into it! Volunteer at a community organizing institution or a labor union; learn what it really takes to organize-get door knocking, do the phone banks, go on home
visits to community residents."
- Vivian Chang, Organizing Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
"There's some good reading-for example, Saul Alinsky's books and The Activists Handbook by Bobo, Kendall, and Max. And subscribe to www.comm-org.utoledo.edu , a great Web site."
- Kim Fellner, Executive Director, National Organizers' Alliance
"I learned about organizing by putting myself out there. I talked to everyone involved in the issues I wanted to work on. I learned even more by talking to activists in a wide range of issues."
- Carrie Ferrence, National Organizer, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala
