New Organizing Institute

Posted March 2nd, 2007 by Steve Hanson
in

The New Organizing Institute is a unique grassroots program that trains young, technology-enabled political organizers to work for progressive campaigns and organizations. The Institute is being created by experienced online organizers in conjunction with MoveOn.org to fill an urgent need in progressive politics.

 

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Not hitting the mark

Submitted by borges on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 1:22pm.
They say: NOI trainees were also trained in the use of Constituent Relations Managers (CRMs), online tool sets that allow users to create websites, manage volunteers, organize online petitions, and send mass email blasts I think we are all sick of this stuff already aren't we? I think there is the next thing that they aren't training for and that is where the emphasis has to go, not to what worked 4 years ago.
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Not so sure about that.

Submitted by Steve Hanson on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 2:25pm.

Most of the grassroots organizations I know of would LOVE to have and/or understand the above. Most of the nonprofits that I've worked with have none of them (except probably a web page) and seem to be terrified of anything that isn't a static web page or email. CRM's in particular are pretty cutting edge for most organizations beyond the big national and state organizations. Volunteer management is (in my experience) not done effectively at all by very many organizations. Just because they worked 4 years ago doesn't mean that they won't work now.

 

Steve Hanson Principal Consultant

Cruiskeen Consulting LLC

I have petition fatigue

Submitted by borges on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 4:51pm.
Personally I think the MoveOn techniques of email blasting and petition drives have burned many out (myself included.) Maybe if it was used in moderation and only for the most pressing issue it could be effective, but given the ease of using these tools, leaders use them and the email box fills to overflowing. It may not be junk, but it looks like junk after enough of it flows in. I think the strength of their system is when small groups in cities can meet up and do face to face organizing. But that is where we need to be heading, not what sounds to me like 4 years ago with daily alerts and call your congress person and sign this petition that we will hand deliver. I hope we can get away from email all together and focus on interactive web organizing.

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