Want Change? Tell Stories (Step 1 of 6)
[SARN Memo for September 30, 2009]
We all have something in our lives we’d like changed. But alone, we don’t have the power to do so. What we need is a way to work with others. We need a tool we can use to plan and carry out change. One such tool is the spiral model of community organizing. It has six steps.
Step One: Tell your story. The place to start is people’s lives. “Tell me what’s going on in your life.” (Next week: Step Two – Find patterns.)
- What Is the Spiral Model of Community Organizing?
- Step One of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Start with the Experience of Self-Advocates
- Group Activity: Tell Stories
- Resource
Respond to this memo!1. What Is 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.)
2. Step One of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Start with the Experience of Self-Advocates
Step One is simple: Participants tell each other their stories. Each person gets a chance to name his or her personal reality. Real life experiences are the starting point of the spiral model. Get your group together and talk about your lives, joys, sorrows, frustrations, etc.
(In Step Two, you’ll look for what you have in common. That becomes something you can work on together.)
3. Group Activity: Tell Stories
Invite everyone to tell a little about his or her life. Have each person tell one thing he or she is excited about, and one thing he or she is frustrated about or wishes would change. Remind all to respect the person talking by listening well. Take notes—you can use them at Step Two.
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.
Today’s Trivia Question:
The farm workers’ movement of the 1960s and ’70s used boycotts as pressure to get better working conditions. What fruit did they not want folks to buy?
(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)
Answer to September 24th Trivia Question: b. 8-14
Question was: When an elephant gives birth, it usually has one baby (calf). When a pig gives birth, what’s the usual number of piglets in the litter?
- 1
- 8-14
- 50-60
- Trick question, because pigs are hatched from eggs, not born live
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Reader Responses
Thanks, we’ve ordered it – can’t wait to use it as another fine tool for change from ACT.