Today, more than ever, people up and down our globe face
difficult issues on a daily basis. They hear stories that are very concerning
and demanding. Issues that need collective responses. Hence it is vital to do
more and more Community Organising with concentration on distributed organising
focusing on those mostly affected by the issues. Making sure those with lived
experience of the issues we want to work on and address have meaningful and
active participation in the decision making process.
Most recently I was able to join Marshall Ganz in
central London along with colleagues from The Centre for Progressive
Change. I found the engagement with Marshall very rewarding and fulfilling
Marshall is one of the leading voices and scholars of
Community Organising with more than 6 decades of experience. What was
interesting during our session was Marshall’s humility; his willingness to
listen, engage and get us focused. Despite the hours we spent together, we
didn’t want the session to end as there was always something new and engaging.
He left us wanting more of his time. Marshall is now actively investing in the
next generation and the generation after in Community Organising as the work of
Head, Heart and Hands. Marshall refers
to the 3 core questions organisers ask.
1. Who
are my people?
2. What is the change we need?
3. How can we turn our resources into the power we need
to achieve that change?
As we engage in Community Organising, we need to keep asking
the above three questions. The people; the change needed and the power needed
to effect the change. After all blessed are the organised!
