Editing Community Organizing (section)

=== Determining if an Issue is Winnable ===

# '''Scope and Specificity''':
#* '''Description''': Assess if the issue is specific and manageable rather than broad and vague.
#* '''Tactic''': Break down larger issues into smaller, actionable components.
#* '''Example''': “Instead of ‘improving public safety,’ focus on ‘installing streetlights in dark areas.’”
# '''Community Support''':
#* '''Description''': Gauge the level of concern and support within the community.
#* '''Tactic''': Use surveys, meetings, and canvassing to measure interest and willingness to act.
#* '''Example''': “High turnout at a meeting discussing the need for a new playground.”
# '''Clear Target''':
#* '''Description''': Identify a specific person, organization, or entity responsible for the issue.
#* '''Tactic''': Ensure there is a clear decision-maker who can address the problem.
#* '''Example''': “The local council is responsible for approving new traffic signals.”
# '''Feasibility''':
#* '''Description''': Evaluate the resources, time, and effort required to address the issue.
#* '''Tactic''': Consider the community’s capacity to mobilize and sustain efforts.
#* '''Example''': “Organizing a petition drive to reduce speed limits in residential areas.”
# '''Potential for Visible Impact''':
#* '''Description''': Determine if the issue can lead to a visible and tangible improvement.
#* '''Tactic''': Focus on issues where success can be easily seen and felt by the community.
#* '''Example''': “Cleaning up a local park and installing new benches.”
# '''Alignment with Community Values''':
#* '''Description''': Ensure the issue aligns with the community’s values and priorities.
#* '''Tactic''': Engage in discussions to understand what matters most to residents.
#* '''Example''': “A campaign to preserve a historic building that holds cultural significance.”

Chapter 2 of “The Power to Make It Happen” by Donald R. Keating, titled “Winning is Building,” delves into the intricate relationship between achieving victories in community organizing and the broader goal of building a sustainable, powerful organization. The chapter emphasizes that winning specific battles is not an end in itself but a means to strengthen the community’s capacity for self-governance and collective action.

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