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Designing Actions

Learn how to plan effective actions and accountability sessions to achieve your goals and hold decision makers accountable. This guide covers goal setting, tactics, choosing targets, logistics, and more.

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Designing Actions

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  1. Designing Actions Chapter 7 Brandey Davis URBS 448-601

  2. Action • An action is a tactic in which an organized group of people with a common grievance meet with the person who has the power to give them what they want. • Actions work based upon a set of calculations about the relationship between you and your target (similar to a cost-benefit analysis).

  3. When to Use Actions • An action is a low-to medium-power tactic. • Actions are used to build up to large turnout events of your own (i.e. public hearings, accountability sessions, etc.) • An action is to be completed after going through proper channels first (send letters, file complaints, petitions, etc.)

  4. Action Planning • Goals: Main Demands and Fallback demands • Substantive and Procedural Demands • Organizational Considerations • Constituency • Know Your Target • Use Tactics within the Action • Singing, Chanting, Signs, Challenges, etc.

  5. Action Planning Reminders • Stay within the Experience of Your Group • Don’t confuse loudness or vulgarity with power • Try to Get outside the Experience of the Target • Try to make an appointment rather than have a surprise encounter. (Sometimes, surprise encounters work) • “Case the Joint” • If Media are Wanted (they aren’t always), Send a Press Release a Week Ahead of Time More Reminders on pages 77 and 78

  6. Checklist for Planning an Action Full List is available on page 79 in Organizing for Social Change • Are your demands clear and simple? • Have you scouted the building and made a floor plan? • Can the site accommodate disabled members? • Has the group selected a spokesman for the action? • Have you selected someone to take notes during the action and write the confirmation letter to the target? • Have you held a dress rehearsal for the spokesperson and the participants? • Have you calculated how you are going to demonstrate your power (letters, petitions, etc.)?

  7. AAU and the Gallery Casino Proposal: What is more valuable: a profitable casino or a priceless community? • Helen Gym—Asian Americans United http://vimeo.com/1974982 http://www.aaunited.org

  8. Holding Accountability Sessions Chapter 8 Brandey Davis URBS 448-601

  9. Accountability Session is a large community meeting at which an elected official, or sometimes a high appointed official, is held accountable to the community. • Accountability sessions is a high powered tactic. • It is a big show of organizational turnout • Win! When you win, your organization grows. • Establish target’s power and vulnerability

  10. The Basics • Goals(Main and Fallback Demands; Substantive and Procedural Goals) • Organizational Considerations (Budget, Staff and Leadership time, Equipment, etc.) • Tactics (songs, signs, reading petitions, etc) • Choosing the Target/Decision Maker

  11. Planning • Organize a Planning Committee • Start With a Discussion on Organization Considerations • Decide on Demands • Propose Dates • Develop an Agenda • Plan the Logistics • Rehearse • Hold the Meeting • Follow Up • Thank Everyone and Celebrate • Evaluate • A Sample Agenda is offered on pages 88-90

  12. Key Roles • Chair • Scorekeeper • Chair’s Organizer • General or Lead Organizer • Panel Members • Press Contact • Ushers • Microphone Holder • Facilities Coordinator • Signer • Translators • Have sign in sheets and handouts • Diagram of an Accountability Meeting is on page 92

  13. Turnout, Publicity, and Transportation/Facilities • Press Plan • Tone of the Meeting • Upbeat but Serious • Professional but Fun! • Controlled but Not Too Much • End Positively with Action

  14. Checklist • Are your key leaders on the planning committee? • Have you confirmed a date with the target? • Do you have a good press plan? • Have you taken care of logistics? • Have you used the strategy chart to plan the accountability session, being sure to take into account your power? Full List is available on pages 98 and 99 in Organizing for Social Change

  15. Example: A-G Accountability Session http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TszQkM_FyMU

  16. Thank You! • Questions or Comments about the presentation or the video?

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