Hi friends,
I just posted this question within the ABCD Organizing Group, but figured I'd share it here as well. I know there's a lot of great experience and wisdom out there I can benefit from!
I am hoping other practitioners can help me with acurrent dilemma I'm facing at this stage of my community organizingwork.
My main question is, How does a community 'organizer'define their role in a way that makes sense to community members?
[Context:I work for a non-profit, I'm in a semi-staff, semi-organizerrole. We're working to find a team of people who believe in an
asset-based approach and want to use it to rebuild the community. Right
now I'm seeking those folks and holding learning conversations with
community members in general to learn the skills, talents, resources and
what people care about. I'm working in a historically segregated AfricanAmerican neighborhood that is seen by many both inside and outside thecommunity as not having the resources it needs to rebuild itself.]
Seemslike a 'duh' question and something I should have figured out long ago.And, in many instances I've been successful during face-to-facesit-down conversations at explaining who I am/what my org is and ouraim. I usually start with my OWN personal reasons for doing my work andbuilding from there.
But recently I've been having encounterswhere my explanation of my role as helping the community come together /discover and activate its own resources to realize its goals seems tobe falling flat. I've even had one woman say, "we know what our giftsare.Now we need FUNDING" and went so far as to characterize my org astrying to keep the community in slavery by keeping them from gettingwhat's 'owed to them' by outside institutions.
Just today avery active engaged and productive community member asked me, so how canyou help us? For example--there's a lot of kids in this community whoplay Chess. How can SCOPE help us get chess boards?
I completelyfailed in both conversations to offer a compelling, clear answer to howI can help that these peoplefelt satisfied with.
I know situations are different for everyorganizer. But--any advice? Similar experiences?
I lookforward to hearing from you!
-April
Sarasota, FL
updated by @april-doner: 10/24/16 04:45:18PM