How to Get Started

I know we need to be organized, but what exactly do I do?

1. Make a List of People Who Are Likely to Get Involved.  Who else might share your concern and want to improve your community?  Keep an open mind and give everyone who might be on your side a chance to get involved. Note: Also think of people who will support you. Check in with people who have done this before. Ask them for advice.  Contact the groups listed on the final pages of this toolkit.
    
2. Tell Your Story.  You may want to write it down. Ask yourself, “Who or what in my past has led me to get involved in this issue?”  Understanding why we got involved is the key to understanding what will get others involved.  Be clear and honest and learn to tell your story powerfully.  Telling your story will set an example for others to tap their personal power and tell their own story.
    
3. Meet With People One-on-One.  Here are three important tips:

• Listen and Learn.  The key to getting people involved is listening. Be interested in where they are coming from and what they want to see.  Ask about their ideas.  You should learn a little every time about what would move each person to take action.
• Share your story.  Let them know why this issue is important to you and why you chose to act.
• Make the ask.  Invite this person to take action.  It could be coming to the next meeting or making a flyer.  Maybe they could invite a couple of people to the meeting.  Always give people the opportunity to take a next step.

4. Bring People Together.  It can be as formal or informal as you want, but the important part is that there is space for people to meet each other and share ideas.  Be sure everyone is heard, make decisions as a group, and leave with next steps.
    
5. Create a Group Vision.  Many people get active in their community because of a problem.  Something happens, and they say, “Enough!”  We begin by working against something.  The challenge of organizing is to paint a positive picture of what you want to see.  Problems can be overwhelming. What is the light at the need of the tunnel?  What are you working for.  Talk about this as a group and write it down. A positive vision will help get more people involved.
    
6. Make a Plan.  You have the people, you have the vision, now make the plan. What are the steps you will take as a group and who wants to do what?  What interests people?  What does each person enjoy doing?  Try to match personal interests to the needs of the group as a whole.
    
7. Follow-Up With People.   Some say organizing is 1% inspiration and 99% follow up.  After people agree to take action, they need support and reminders to stick with it.  A few days after someone makes a commitment, call and ask “How's it going? What did you think of the meeting?  I'm just checking in to be sure we'll be ready for the next event.  Do you need anything to do your part?”

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