Strategy Workshop

Questionnaire for Progressive Activists

Final Questionnaire

Complete Report

Report Categories:
Bad idea. Not so good an idea. Average idea. Good idea. Excellent idea. Rating Average Response Count

1) How can we recruit more members?

• Hold an event/seminar for the recently unemployed. 1 1 4 5 2 6.92 13
• No more house parties. Hosts get uncomfortable and nervous doing house parties and youth are less likely to show up. 4 3 4 2 0 4.62 13
• Volunteer on behalf of your group for public events held by other organizations and do outreach at those events 0 0 2 7 4 8.31 13
• Go on radio. 0 0 3 8 2 7.85 13
• Hold and publicize more face-to-face events: salons, potlucks, study groups, music events, meetings with a good speaker, etc. 0 1 3 5 4 7.85 13
• Go to other organizations especially places where folks underrepresented in your group congregate. Listen to what their concerns are and figure out how your group could be helpful to them. Then recruit. Ask to get time on their agenda. 0 0 1 4 8 9.08 13
• To entice attendance, publicize events with useful information, like where to get free job training, etc. 0 2 4 4 3 7.23 13
• Take contact information wherever you go. Network! 0 0 1 7 5 8.62 13
• Be active in campaigns. Look for activists who might become organizers. 0 0 1 7 5 8.62 13
• Pull many organizations together under a big umbrella. Zero 0 4 4 5 8.15 13
• Engage in more local activity representing national groups. 0 1 2 6 2 7.64 11
• Use email as a proactive method for building a community of interest, especially by emailing everyone in your area who has signed up with your national organization. 0 0 2 4 7 8.77 13
• Do actions concerning economic issues and income. 0 0 2 6 4 8.33 12
• Recruit the unemployed in lines, thrift stores. 0 4 5 1 2 6.17 12
• Distribute simple explanations of the bailout and stimulus programs and how to get funds. 2 3 3 2 2 5.83 12
• Ask members to bring their friends. 0 0 5 7 1 7.38 13
• Contact authors of letters to the editor. Zero 0 4 4 5 8.15 13
• Survey your members and afterwards report on the results. 0 0 7 2 4 7.54 13
• Train all members in doing "one-on-one" outreach to likely members. 0 0 2 6 4 8.33 12
• Use "relational" or "relationship" organizing techniques developed by groups working in the Alinsky tradition. 0 2 1 5 3 7.64 11
• Have consistent, positive public presence. If it's a picket, consider a sign, You Are Welcome to Join Us, as well as the beloved, Honk for…."" 0 1 3 3 5 8 12

2) How can we better nourish ourselves personally?

• Deepen comradeship and mutual moral support by giving group attention to the lives (including inner lives) and stories of members. 0 0 2 6 5 8.46 13
• Engage in shared inspirational/uplifting activities – such as community service, nature, music, trust-building and centering (sensory/meditative) exercises, and play. 0 1 3 4 5 8 13
• Take the time to build and nourish relationships by getting to know each other and finding common private interests. Find time to socialize beyond and without issues. 0 1 4 3 4 7.67 12
• Build nourishing activities into the routine structures and operations of the group. 0 0 4 5 4 8 13
• Democracy for America Training and Camp Obama Training. 1 0 3 5 4 7.69 13
• Take needed breaks. Take vacations and other time off to gain a sense of perspective. 1 0 1 4 7 8.46 13
• Pace yourself -- realize that we are in this for the long haul. 0 0 2 2 9 9.08 13
• Sing more. Use music. 1 1 3 2 6 7.69 13
• Have parties just for socializing, enjoyment, and warm concern for members’ needs. 0 2 4 4 3 7.23 13
• Offer to help each other in difficult times. 0 1 2 4 6 8.31 13
• Hold a non-denominational service on religion's call to social justice. 1 2 8 0 2 6 13
• Set up workshops on the two feet of social justice: service and action. 0 0 5 4 4 7.85 13
• Conduct a teach-in on how the unemployed can take direct action. 0 0 8 1 3 7.17 12
• Engage in personal spiritual practice. 1 0 1 4 7 8.46 13
• Create flyers with addresses of Community Markets. 0 2 8 0 3 6.62 13
• Stay informed on issues. 0 0 0 7 6 8.92 13
• Eat healthy, exercise daily, and get plenty of sleep. Jogging and walking clubs. 0 0 2 6 5 8.46 13
• Enjoy the outdoors. Get back to nature for grounding. 0 0 2 4 7 8.77 13
• Take the time for yourself to be a nourishing person. 0 0 1 7 5 8.62 13
• Practice restraint by trying to select one or two specific causes for personal focus. 0 0 3 4 6 8.46 13
• Compartmentalize so that we can be active but still make a living. 0 0 4 3 6 8.31 13
• Be satisfied to “make a difference.” 0 0 3 2 8 8.77 13
• Learn and share menus to save money. 0 0 7 2 3 7.33 12
• Focus on achievable goals. 0 1 3 1 8 8.46 13
• Celebrate victories. 0 0 1 3 9 9.23 13
• Laugh. 0 0 0 3 10 9.54 13
• Take time for thinking and developing wisdom 0 0 1 5 7 8.92 13
• Fund sabbaticals. 1 2 4 0 6 7.23 13
• Nurture positive relations with people we don't often agree with on politics. 0 0 2 6 5 8.46 13

3) How can we raise more money?

• Ask for small sums at every meeting. 2 2 2 0 3 6 9
• At the same time that we try to find abundant funding for our work, we can also strive to reduce our own and our organizations' dependence on money. 0 0 3 3 4 8.2 10
• Put new startup nonprofits and PACs on the back burner and join up with well-connected ones first. 0 3 2 3 2 6.8 10
• Get the contacts to raise money. 0 1 3 3 3 7.6 10
• Spend time talking to elected officials at the federal and state level. 0 1 4 1 4 7.6 10
• Be upfront about the fact that you're trying to raise money. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Phone bank. 1 2 5 1 1 5.8 10
• Ask for pledges for regular donations. 0 2 2 4 2 7.2 10
• Engage in more collaborative or joint fundraising. 0 0 1 6 3 8.4 10
• Document how prospective donors will benefit from advancing your agenda. 0 1 2 3 4 8 10
• On the Internet, ask members for very little money ($3 or $5) and explain how it will be used. 0 0 2 2 6 8.8 10
• Have fun with this. Find entertainment, speakers and have a party. 0 2 3 1 4 7.4 10
• Work at it. 1 1 1 2 5 7.8 10
• Ask for it. 0 0 3 2 5 8.4 10
• Getting over the attitude that ree means good 0 1 5 3 1 6.8 10
• Yard sales. 1 2 2 5 0 6.2 10
• Bulk veggie and fruit sales. 1 2 4 1 2 6.2 10
• Fund raisers. 1 1 4 2 2 6.6 10
• Train people in fundraising: identify prospects, get comfortable making the ask 0 0 2 5 3 8.2 10
• Take workshops on grant writing. 0 0 3 2 5 8.4 10

4) How can we rely less on one or two individuals?

• Use individual talents and connections to their fullest. Find or create important roles for other participants (even if smaller than some others), so we are relying on one another. This reliance requires reliability -- trust and trustworthiness -- which in turn rests on the development of strong and multidimensional relationships among us. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10
• Establish teams who are empowered to make decisions to take on individual tasks, such as recruiting, media, etc. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10
• Use shared desktop programs such as Google apps. 0 0 4 1 4 8 9
• Assign tasks at general membership meetings. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Rotate roles. 0 0 2 8 0 7.6 10
• Three-person leadership teams. 0 0 5 2 3 7.6 10
• Participatory democracy: Those who show up at meeting or reply to emailed requests make decisions; A person who just led a big project can't lead the next one. 1 3 2 2 2 6.2 10
• Link members who live close by. 0 1 3 3 3 7.6 10
• Make sure new members have a “buddy” to work with. 0 1 1 5 3 8 10
• It is not enough to hold meetings and have people sit there and discuss issues. We must do a better job of teaching people how to be more effective through direct action. 0 0 3 1 6 8.6 10

5) How can we develop stronger contacts with FEDERAL elected officials?

• A small group cultivates an ongoing relationship as a group with a legislative office (specific staffers) thru periodic meetings -- not only for pressing an agenda but also for mutual education and exploration. Get to know staff persons and go to lunch once in a while. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• When meeting with staff persons, make an appointment with the elected officials when they are home, especially during their recesses. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Arrange regular meetings with multiple progressive groups. 0 0 2 5 3 8.2 10
• Volunteer to help at their office and at events. 0 1 2 1 6 8.4 10
• If you have helpful contacts, offer them to the official. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Schedule regular trips to D.C. with a few members (not always the same) to visit specific officials. 1 2 3 3 1 6.2 10
• Develop a better conduit for plugging in to the Progressive Caucus. Zero 0 4 4 2 7.6 10
• Phone calls feel more effective than email. 0 3 2 5 0 6.4 10
• Keep an open mind. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10

6) How can groups that are mostly white and/or middle class work more effectively on cross-race, cross-class, and/or immigrant organizing?

• Hold meetings in Spanish 0 2 2 3 1 6.75 8
• Use the knowledge of individual cultures. Deep knowledge will produce great results. 0 0 0 2 7 9.56 9
• More support of each other’s work -- support that doesn't always have to be defined as giving money. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10
• Make a friend in a desired group. Ask your friend to take you where the group is relaxed and friendly. 0 0 1 3 5 8.89 9
• Get to know people on their turf. Find out what they want. Ask them what you could do to help. Listen. 0 0 1 1 8 9.4 10
• Learn from organizations that deal with this. 0 0 2 4 4 8.4 10
• Train members in sensitivity to historically subordinate groups. 0 0 2 2 5 8.67 9
• Recognize that most people want the same things in life: equal rights. 0 0 0 4 5 9.11 9
• Identify with stories versus skin color or other specific characteristics. 0 0 4 2 4 8 10
• Work on issues of importance to immigrant and working communities rather than bring your issues from the outside. 0 0 1 2 7 9.2 10
• Periodic face-to-face meetings. 0 0 1 5 3 8.44 9
• Creation of action to address issues of the moment. 0 0 1 2 6 9.11 9
• A website to serve as a repository of important information and knowledge. 0 1 1 3 5 8.4 10
• The email network to provide proactive outreach. 0 1 1 4 4 8.2 10
• Become effective allies. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10
• Let people know they are missed and wanted. 0 0 2 2 6 8.8 10
• Focus on issues and don’t use individuals as sad or inspiring examples. 0 1 2 2 3 7.75 8

7) How can we get better media coverage?

• Coordinate actions statewide! Harder to ignore when the same action is goin on in 15 cities throughout the state 0 0 0 5 3 8.75 8
• Have a designated media coordinator who can develop relationships, including friendships, with the local media and keep them aware of upcoming events. 0 0 3 3 3 8 9
• Make sure that you are sending press releases to every news organization and when they show up nurture the relationship, get personal email addresses and phone numbers, and ask them how they like to be contacted. 0 0 1 4 4 8.67 9
• Recognize trends in how news is delivered. 0 0 3 3 3 8 9
• If you have a website &/or blog, keep it up to date. 0 0 0 3 6 9.33 9
• Forget all the dumb verbiage & clichés in meeting announcements & press releases. Be specific & concrete, using terms your target group will understand. 0 0 1 3 5 8.89 9
• Organize rallies and events. 0 0 2 5 2 8 9
• Learn the skills of media outreach. Encourage members with interest and aptitude for media relations to get training in effective media work. 0 0 1 4 4 8.67 9
• Get an official position on an advisory council to give you more credibility. 0 0 1 6 2 8.22 9
• Respect the need for news value. 0 0 1 2 6 9.11 9
• Don't propagandize reporters. 0 0 0 3 6 9.33 9

8) How can we find stronger support from our immediate outside community?

• Do community-service projects. 0 1 2 4 3 7.8 10
• Join up with national groups like Moveon, DFA... 0 0 0 7 3 8.6 10
• Post on various community websites. 0 0 2 5 3 8.2 10
• Place flyers at public gathering spots. 0 2 3 3 2 7 10
• Find out what they want. Do things with said community to help them get what they want. Publicize what they say about what y’all did together. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Organize better. 0 0 3 2 5 8.4 10
• Educate people via house parties, Internet, discussions. 0 0 0 7 3 8.6 10
• Engage in specific concrete tasks, such as the presidential election. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Develop relationships with non-community/movement people. 0 0 2 4 4 8.4 10
• Establish relationships with other groups and organizations: support their issues, become allies, be active in those organizations on behalf of shared interests. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10
• Use word-of-mouth. Too often we don't express our views or tell of activities outside the people we directly organize with. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10

9) How can we better energize our base to act quickly and effectively?

• Study and learn from what happened 2-3 years ago when millions turned out in Chicago, NYC, etc. re: immigration issue 0 0 3 3 2 7.75 8
• Have a set system of people who have specific tasks and make sure that you have the right materials to complete tasks and delegate. 0 1 1 3 4 8.22 9
• Only ask for quick action when it's urgent, then say why specifically. 0 0 0 3 6 9.33 9
• Ask the base how they want to respond. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Ask for action that costs nothing. 0 0 2 1 7 9 10
• Set up phone/email trees, email lists, & car pools before they're needed. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10
• Develop a Rapid Response team. 0 1 1 3 5 8.4 10
• Identify active people and send it viral. 0 1 1 2 5 8.44 9
• Provide concrete things to do, for example specific talking points with which to call elected officials. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Stress action groups that work on issues of importance to the members. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Develop strong bonds by solving critical issues. 0 0 2 3 5 8.6 10
• Utilize both traditional and new media. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10
• Personal contact. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Practice. Practice. Practice. 0 0 1 3 6 9 10
• Evaluate and keep doing it. 0 0 0 1 8 9.78 9

10) How can we make more effective use of our time?

• Utilize every talent. 0 0 1 3 6 9 10
• Delegate responsibly. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10
• Use technology to cut down redundancy. 0 0 1 2 7 9.2 10
• Fewer meetings and more actions. 0 1 1 2 6 8.6 10
• Meet by conference call or email/internet whenever possible. 0 0 2 5 3 8.2 10
• Have written agenda and follow it. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Have no extraneous meetings just because you usually meet then. 0 1 1 3 5 8.4 10
• Skip the flowery introductions. Just let an announced speaker say who they are and speak. 0 1 2 3 4 8 10
• Adjourn on time so decisions aren't made after some have left. 0 0 0 3 7 9.4 10
• Have leaders and those they delegate pull the threads together periodically to help people who get too overwhelmed, summarizing the latest actions and results and what to do next. 0 0 1 3 6 9 10
• Have a set number of hours to work on a goal. 1 1 3 2 3 7 10
• Learn how to conduct short and productive meetings. 0 0 0 2 8 9.6 10
• Understand that some things take a lot of time. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10

11) How can we develop more “people-persons” with good social skills?

• Develop compassionate listening [http://www.compassionatelistening.org/]. 0 0 0 4 5 9.11 9
• Remind yourself to be a good listener. Step outside of your personal issues and listen objectively. Advise or respond as you would to a friend. Try to see that many people have many different perspectives and validate their thoughts. 0 0 0 2 7 9.56 9
• Use DFA training and Camp Obama trainings. 0 0 2 3 4 8.44 9
• Spend time getting to know volunteers. 0 0 1 4 5 8.8 10
• Attract a professional into your membership or advisory board who can train the membership. 0 1 2 4 3 7.8 10
• Treat individuals from other groups with respect. 0 0 0 2 8 9.6 10
• Team up people with limited social skills with more socially skilled folks who don't mind presenting what needs to be presented. 0 0 0 4 6 9.2 10
• Conduct training/classes for developing social skills, including with one-on-ones 0 0 3 4 3 8 10
• Building relationships. 0 0 2 4 4 8.4 10
• Rotate committee assignments every few months. 0 1 3 4 1 7.11 9

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