Well, Wisconsin was in the spotlight again yesterday with the recall elections.   It was incredible, as someone who believes deeply in grassroots democracy, to stand there in the crowd outside the capitol last night listening to the results come in.   It was the closest I'd come to enjoying that old chant "This is what democracy looks like!"  in a long time.  Usually that chant makes me grimace and want to shout "NO! This is not what democracy looks like!"  But yesterday was democracy in action.  Thousands of people put their whole selves into these races making phone calls, knocking doors, and otherwise carrying on the political discourse.  Thousands more did Wisconsin proud by turning out in record numbers to make their voices heard through the vote. 

Now what?  Sure, there are a few more recalls coming up.  I hope folks will get involved and make those as fine a show of grassroots involvement as these were.  And, there will inevitably be recounts and court proceedings around the debacle in Waukesha, so at least one of yesterday's elections is far from over.  But what happens when each of the seats is filled again?  The balance has changed a little and some important decisions may have different outcomes.  But if anyone is waiting for these (or any other) elected officials to solve all the problems, hate to break it to you but your wait is in vain.   Government will do some good things.  It's next to impossible not to do some things that are positive.    But, they are a small group that is influenced by big money and corporate interests.   So the question becomes; what are you going to do?

We are each responsible for our own impact in the world.  There are lots of models out there that show us that we don't need a whole lot to do a whole lot.  I am reminded of one of our graduates a few years ago who was homeless.  Mid-semester she got a part time job and things were looking up.  She attributed her positive fortune to the relationships she built and the skills she learned in our program.  She got her first small paycheck from her job, and you know what she did?  She donated $10 to our work.  How humbling to receive a donation from a homeless person.  It was a powerful moment I won't soon forget. 

So you are busy, money is tight, there's lots going on.  That's alright.  What are you going to do today to make your piece of the world better?  Are you going to donate to the GLC or some other cause you love?  Are you going to get involved in the next round of recalls, or maybe in some neighborhood organizing, maybe an event at your kid's school?  What are you going to do?   What skills do you need to do it well? 

Take care of yourself, be well, act strategically.  The skills and support you need are out there.  Others have walked the road before you.  Follow their footsteps.  It's easier and more effective than beating through the brush.

The Grassroots Leadership College does a lot of different programming work now.  This year we'll serve several hundred people directly through our workshops, forums, "Reflect, Refuel, Re-frame" and semester programs.  We'll serve thousands more through our work with organizations and the role we played at the capitol.  The Community Organizing Semester is the base of our work.

We opened our doors in 2003 with our first semester group of more than 30 coaches and developing leaders.  Since then we've supported more than 100 different community organizing efforts through the Community Organizing Semester. 

It's a program for everyone.  Our youngest participant was 13 when he joined us, the oldest over 80.  Participants come from many backgrounds.  Some are professionals.  Some are former felons.  We've got folks who are homeless, homed, students, teachers, retirees, and just about anyone else you might imagine.  What's important is that people who come to the Organizing Semester believe that people like themselves can organize, can make positive changes in their community, and are willing to do the work to make it happen.

Participants play one of two roles.  We have coaches and developing leaders.

Coaches are people who have enough experience as activists and organizers that they feel they can lend an ear to someone else and help that person strategize and face the puzzles of organizing.  They don't have all the answers.   They may not have any experience in the particular issue their developing leader is working on.  They do have a willingness to listen and to think together.

Developing leaders may or may not have experience organizing and acting in their communities.  They may come into the program with a clear project they've been working and just want some help moving to the next level.  Or, they may come in with a broad idea that they'd like to fashion into something. 

Together participants attend 16 sessions (including a coach orientation and a graduation). Each session is built on the idea that we're all learners, teachers, and leaders.  So, while each session is facilitated by a skilled volunteer faculty person, the real guides are the participants.  Together we learn about facilitating meetings, getting and keeping volunteers, addressing oppression, developing strategies, and lots more. 

Over the course of the semester developing leaders meet with their coaches outside of class for more guidance and support on their projects.  Since we've started their have been more than 100 projects.  Many are ongoing.  Pierce's Grocery Store, Nuestro Mundo Community School, and more than twelve different neighborhood associations are some of the most visible projects.  Many graduates have gone to take on more efforts too beyond their first project with the GLC.  Our grads are working with youth programs at East Madison Community Center, coordinating local efforts to fight mining in northern Wisconsin, and dozens of other projects that have been taken on since graduation. 

Is there something you want to organize locally?  Or something you want to organize more effectively?  Apply to be a developing leader.   Do you have some skills, listening ears, and a wish to support someone else developing their leadership and organizing skills?  Apply to be a coach. 

We're accepting applications now for the fall.  Apply today, space is limited.  Cost for the semester is $100 for developing leaders or 10 Timebank Hours.  Scholarships are available.  No one is turned away due to lack of funds.  Coaches are volunteers for the program and do not pay tuition (though we welcome donations!) Childcare and dinner are included with all sessions.  Click here to apply. 

Our political state is a mess.  The economy has tanked.  Locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally we're dealing with huge issues and situations we've not seen before.  How can we solve the problems before us?

Here's a couple ideas. Tell me what you think.

1.  It's time to look beyond the big groupings.  Labor, student, community, are some of the titles of the movements.  They are handy titles for developing an understanding of whose involved, but they are are dangerous limiters of the work.  Every person is defined in multiple ways every day.  We need to use that.  We need to remember that student in the classroom right now leaves that classroom and heads to work, later they go pick up the kids from day, and maybe the whole family heads someplace for worship.  We lose if we stop at seeing them just in the role they are playing at the moment.  We're almost certain to find a connection if we see the person first then look at the roles they play.

2.  Not everyone has to do everything, but everyone does have to do something.  Recalls, redistricting, fighting bad legislation and advocating for good bill, it's all important, so is planting gardens, starting co-ops, figuring out alternative currencies and much more.  If you want to, you can work all day every day on saving the world and still have a lot more to do.  That's probably not sustainable though and this is a long term struggle.  So, breathe deep.  What feels good to you?  Where can you contribute valuable skills?  Where will you get to spend time with people and activities that energize you?  Do the work that feels right and you'll want to do more.  That doesn't mean it's always fun.  Hopefully, it is often fun.  When it's not fun it's still supported and supportive. 

3. The political systems are broken.  They need to be fixed, not a little tweak more of a major overhaul.  A political overhaul will take a long time and meanwhile people will suffer and die.  So, we need to work both outside and inside the political systems.  Build co-ops, create local currencies, step  outside.  We need those who provide services, take nonviolent direct action, organize on the shop floor and in the streets, and create alternatives.  These folks will save lives and places.  Meanwhile, we need those folks who can play the political games to play their best.  Learn the rules and use them.  We also need the bridges who can connect these working inside and outside our political systems. 

4.  We're living in tough times economically.  Economic struggles open the door to new opportunities.  It's our time to get creative, build connections, give our spirits space to stretch, let go of the stuff and grab hold of the place-- the community, the people, the that which is truly important. 

It's time to walk hand in hand and become a community. 

Ah the question, "to recall or not to recall?"

Well, perhaps that's not quite the question, but the question is definitely out there about what impact will the recall elections have.  There are those who are pushing that everyone put their time into these efforts and those asking why.  Well, here's one way to look at the recalls and how they fit into the longer term for the movement.

The recalls will change some representation for the state.  Some of those elected will do very good things for the people of Wisconsin.  Will they fix the entire budget mess or revoke all  the changes recently made that have meant losses in many parts of our lives?  Probably not, but they will do some good.  Ultimately, it is the whole system that has failed.  The two party system that is run by big money doesn't work any more.  But, that's not a reason to fail to be engaged in it.  In order for the current system to change we have three basic options.  1. We can leap into a revolution.  For many reasons, that's not a good idea and would probably fail miserably.  We can work from inside the system.  Probably a better idea since it would mean some steps forward, but it wouldn't get us where we want to go either.  3.  We can work from the inside and the outside of the system.  This, I think, is our best chance.

It's taken decades so far to change our political system.  We've made some good strides locally, on the state level, and nationally.  But, it's going to take decades more.  However, without our work on the inside of the system, it would only become more corrupt, more a tool of the rich, more a puppet of corporations.  Working from inside is like stemming the blood flow from a major wound.  It doesn't heal the wound, but it is necessary for life to continue. 

While those working in that which is more readily defined as political are busy pushing change from the inside and setting the stage for a new way for politics to work.  Others must be working on the outside supporting that work by separating the people from the corporate.  These folks working on the outside are the ones who will, in fact already are, farming sustainably, developing cooperatives, taking nonviolent direct action to stop the destruction of our environment and communities, teaching our kids other ways to be, making sure that people are fed, clothed, housed, and cared for, and doing so much more.

Many of us will have a foot in both worlds, working in and on the political system and working on the alternatives outside of it.   This is good.  We all have a place to be.  We all have a role to play.  In order for our movement to prosper we must recognize that we have many roles.  We must care for each other and respect that we each have a different something to contribute and all of it is important.

Thank you all for what you give to

It's been over three weeks since Wisconsin got turned upside down by the Governor's budget repair bill.  Protests are happening in every corner of the state.  It's been reported that more than 300,000 people have made their way to the capitol to protest the governor's actions, and 14 of our senators remain in hiding in Illinois.

The Grassroots Leadership College is keeping busy with all the action.  We and our friends have trained thousands in nonviolence with our new Prepared and Peaceful nonviolence curriculum (Many thanks to A.B. Orlik of Writing Barefoot and Rebecca Krantz of Many Stones Consulting who took the lead writing the curriculum and all those who helped tweak it into a great piece of work).  A copy can be found on our homepage.

We're now working on developing tools to provide ongoing activist support, reflection and refueling programs, continuing to do nonviolence training, developing a series of skills trainings, and an online resource library.

You can be part of the action in many ways.  This week you can

1. help hand out flyers on Saturday at the capitol announcing upcoming trainings and other resources
2. go to the Ians Pizza on State facebook page and nominate the Grassroots
Leadership College to be a funding recipient
3. Promote our upcoming trainings to your networks-- updates can be found
at www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org
4. come to volunteer night at the office Tuesday starting at 5pm
5. contribute online at www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org or by sending
a check to the office 1321 E. Mifflin St. Suite 201 Madison, WI 53703
6. Share your favorite community organizing resources-- we are especially looking for very short "how to" pieces that we can post in our online library


If you'd like to help out or have ideas to share contact Amy at amy@grassrootsleadershipcollege.org or by calling 608-441-0085(w) or 608-658-5954.

peace,
amy

Next week a group of GLC graduates and I are starting in on an exciting adventure with the Interactivity Foundation.  Interactivity Foundation Fellow Dennis Boyer asked us to be part of an ongoing discussion about democracy.

To get us thinking before we sit down together, Dennis threw a couple questions our way.

1. Why do we want democracy?
2. What are some of the dimensions of democracy?
3. What are some of the questions we need/want to ask about how democracy "works"?

His questions made me think.  What do we mean by democracy? 

Many of us who live in the US take pride in living in a democracy, but do we act in ways that encourage the democratic process to flourish or do we starve it?

Democracy is a tough form of governance because it depends on the people governed taking an active role. 

We've got elections coming up in just a few weeks.  I hope everyone who is eligible is going to get out there and vote.  That's a good start to being active in a democracy.  But there's more,  your elected officials need you.  Some of them need you to provide guidance, after all they don't know everything.  Some of them need you to hold their feet to the fire.    Elected officials need to sit next to you at committee members as equals, and to hear you at common council meetings, via email, in news outlets, on the net,  and in protest.

It's hard work and it takes a long time, but it's needed for us, for the world, and for the future.

What does democracy mean to you

Hello all--

There is some exciting stuff coming up at the GLC this fall! 

Would you like to learn more about using social media?  Or maybe you'd like to get folks excited about an issue you care about and get them working with you?  Click on programs and look under workshops for our upcoming sessions and an application.

Maybe you'd like to spend a day surrounded by art, talking about community, and getting to play with art supplies as well-- check out our community forum.

Along with all the great classes, we've got room for more volunteers on our program committee, board of directors, and providing written translation English/Spanish.  Contact Amy if you are interested in helping amy@grassrootsleadershipcollege.org