Getting Started

Organizing is about bringing people together to build collective power. As an organizer, you can connect individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets to work effectively toward shared goals.

Goals of Your Community Action Meeting

Your meeting should aim to:

• Build connections among like-minded individuals in your community.

• Create opportunities for meaningful involvement in shared causes.

• Foster an open environment for sharing ideas and discussion.

• Empower attendees to stay invested in your community’s success.

Planning Your Event

Lock in the Logistics:

• When to Host: Choose a date that gives you enough time to secure a location, plan, and recruit attendees. Avoid conflicts with major holidays or local events.

• Forming a Planning Team: Teamwork is essential. Assign tasks such as arranging snacks, drafting an agenda, or managing recruitment. Look for team members who already have community networks to help amplify outreach efforts.

Recruitment Reigns Supreme

The success of your event depends on having participants, which requires intentional recruitment. Building relationships is at the heart of effective organizing, and the stronger your network, the more impactful your efforts will be.

Steps to Effective Recruitment:

1. The First Ask – Registration (RSVP): Provide key event details—date, time, location—when inviting people to attend.

2. The Second Ask – Confirmation: Reduce no-shows by taking these steps:

• Send a confirmation email and make follow-up calls a week before the event.

• Remind guests of the date, time, and location. Ask if they have any questions and let them know you’ll send a final reminder the day before.

• Share additional details, such as directions or whether they should bring snacks (e.g., for a potluck).

• If you have a guest’s mobile number text a few days before the event with a reminder of event details.

Consider making the event a potluck! This adds a personal touch, helps with refreshments, and makes everyone feel more involved.

Who to Invite?

Inclusivity is key. Make a list of people who might be interested, such as friends, neighbors, colleagues, or members of community organizations. Think about how to bring diverse perspectives into the conversation. Be sure to include any stakeholders with the skills or position to be able to further your organization's objectives.

Final Preparations

Be Prepared on Event Day:

• Set up your space early to ensure a welcoming environment.

• Arrange snacks and beverages, if applicable, to create a comfortable atmosphere.

• Print materials such as agendas, sign-in sheets, and name tags.

• Schedule one-on-one discussions with attendees who are ready to take action.

Discussion Questions

Use these to spark meaningful conversation:

• What’s your experience with community work?

• What motivated you to join this effort?

• What local issues are most important to you?

• What goals should we set as a group?

• What actions can we take in the next two weeks?

• Who are the community partners or coalitions we can collaborate with?

• What additional resources or support do we need?

COMMUNITY ACTION MEETING AGENDA (Suggested)

• Joining the #community and #organizer channels on Slack/Discord to connect with others.

• Participating in the weekly team call.

• Volunteering for future events or becoming a local leader.