Roots to Power: A Manual for Grassroots Organizing

by Lee Staples

Written for those who want to improve their own lives or the lives of others, this thoroughly revised how-to manual presents techniques groups can use to organize successfully in pursuit of their dreams. The book combines time-tested, universal principles and methods with cutting-edge material addressing new opportunities and challenges. It covers basic concepts and best practices and offers step-by-step guidelines on things an organizer needs to know, such as how to identify issues, formulate strategies, set goals, recruit participants, and much more.

The work focuses on six organizing arenas: turf/geography, failth-based, issue, identity, shared experience, and work-related. It offers new or expanded material addressing community development, use of social media, internal organizational dynamics, electoral organizing, evaluation/assessment, and prevention of burnout for key leaders. There are also nuts-and-bolts articles by experts who address topics such as action research, lobbying, legal tactics, and grassroots fundraising. Numerous case examples, charts, worksheets, and small group exercises enrich the discussion and bring the material to life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Activism, Social Justice, Political Science, Professional Development

512 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

Reviews

[Jeffrey Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Staples shares invaluable information regarding grassroots organizing and maintaining their relevance. While written in 2004, there is so much that readers can still learn and adopt when thinking about creating an organization or joining one. Topics included:

•using research to determine the need for organizing
•how gatekeepers play a role in reaching out to members of a community
•the importance of face-to-face/ door-to-door communication in establishing a core base of organization members
•membership dues and how to motivate members to contribute
•keeping organizers engaged in social issues and how to avoid losing momentum
•tools and kits organizers can use to apply pressure on their targets
•anticipating how your targets will react to your tactics
•different methods of applying pressure and the best ways to get targets to respond to your demands
•the importance of direct action
•coalition building and associated strengths and weaknesses
•the do’s and dont’s of community organizing

Due to the year of publication, some of the information regarding technology was a little outdated. Overall, a solid manual for anyone interested in grassroots organizing!

[Robert Furiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

While community organising is (and should be) a practice, not theory, this book gives your practice good foundation, new ideas and puts together aspects you might have never seen written down before. It's not too easy to read (no diagrams or pictures, lol) but it can be a good theoretical back-up to any menior CO.

[Wench · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I'm a little biased because I have the pleasure of knowing Lee, but this is a really good, thorough manual on community organizing. Lee doesn't just give you basic steps, he walks you through the theory behind organizing and how to apply it. I love the treatment of power dynamics and insider-outsider organizer concerns. If you are organizing anything social justice or community-related, I highly recommend this book.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee's incredible. Humblest person I've ever met.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee is awesome...so is the book. I especially enjoy the emphasis on one-on-one's.

[kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my Public Health class.