Let’s Run Through this One More Time (Step 4 of 6)

[SARN Memo for October 21, 2009]

[In this six-step series, we’re looking at the spiral model of community organizing. It’s a great tool to help groups make change by working together. It works well for small groups. This week: Step Four.]

Step Four is where you practice and plan your action. You have your issue (Step Two). You have gathered the information you need (Step Three). Now it’s time to plan your action—and practice it.

This is the time when everyone gets a role to play—and everyone gets support as he or she practices his or her role. Remember: Practice makes perfect. (Next week: Step Five – Take action.)

1. Step Four of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Plan and Practice
2. More about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing
3. Group Activity: Meet with Legislator Role-Play
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!
• Read Responses

---

1. Step Four of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Plan and Practice

After the issue has been clearly identified and new information has been gathered, the group will proceed to a crucial step: planning a strategy. During this step, the group makes a plan of action. You explore all possible avenues of action and their likely consequences. For example, if the group decides to demand an increase in transportation funding, brainstorm actions that might be good steps in reaching that goal (such as having a rally, get on the radio, etc).

Keep in mind that, in the self-advocacy movement, everyone must be included. So everyone in the group needs to play a part in preparing for the action. It can’t just be one person in the limelight. For example, in planning a rally, divide up the work of promoting the rally, communicating with city officials, scheduling speakers for the rally, making any special accommodations necessary for demonstrators, leading chants, etc.

Only through participation will self-advocates develop leadership skills—skills such as setting clear objectives, assigning duties, and preparing for the action.

(In Step Five, you’ll actually perform the action.)

---

2. More about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing

The spiral model of community organizing is a six-step process that leads to lasting change. It’s a method for groups to identify areas of common concern and then address these issues by working together. Like all community organizing, using this model will strengthen your self-advocacy group. It will build leadership skills in all members. (The method was developed by the Doris Marshall Institute of Toronto.)

---

3. Group Activity: Meet with Legislator Role-Play

Do a role-play in which three or four members of your group meet your legislator to ask for his or her support for better health care. Have one person play the role of the legislator. Have another person be the group leader, to introduce your group and tell why you’re here. Then have each member tell the “legislator” one real-life experience they’ve had that shows why they need better health care coverage. Then have the group leader ask the “legislator” how he or she can help.

Perform this role-play more than once so that everyone gets a turn.

---

4. Resource

Step By Step: Understanding the Spiral Model of Community Organizing
In this self-led workshop, you can learn together about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing using a variety of interactive exercises.

---

---

Reader Responses

^ top of page