BONA FIDE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: CORE DIMENSIONS

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HUNTER BEAR (HUNTER GRAY)NOVEMBER 2014

Bona fide activist communityorganizing is not an erector set proposition.It=
 is an art.

This conveys, and it=E2=80=99s going out verywidely, the several integrally=
 connected and sequential sections that comprisethe core of my now very ext=
ensive community organizing course =E2=80=93 an extremelylong and heavily v=
isited webpage on my Hunterbear website. The link to that isgiven below.It=
=E2=80=99s been a good whilesince I have sent this material around =E2=80=
=93 and some may not have seen it at all.It will likely be a long time befo=
re I sendit around again. If it=E2=80=99s always timely, it certainly is no=
w.

More than a decade ago, struck byfull-blown and deadly systemic lupus, and =
with my survival possibilities deemedvery speculative by all save myself an=
d my family, I recognized that the timehad come to do some extensive writin=
g on my considerable experiences,reflections, and lessons learned as a soci=
al justice activist in the Save the WorldBusiness. (The lupus had spared my=
 mind, if nothing else.)And quite a lot had happened with me (and isstill h=
appening) since my hatch a year after Franklin Roosevelt took office.

One of my first endeavors was tofocus on my life long vocation =E2=80=93 an=
 effective confrontational communityorganizer.I=E2=80=99ve been doing that =
since Iwas 21, back in 1955 =E2=80=93 well before I got to Mississippi in 1=
961 and long, longafter I left North Carolina in 1967.I=E2=80=99ve organize=
d in many parts of this country, sometimes on a =E2=80=9Cprofessional=E2=80=
=9Dfull-time basis and sometimes as an activist college and university prof=
essor =E2=80=93and that can be full time organizing in its own right.I=E2=
=80=99ve worked successfully with people from allsorts of backgrounds whose=
 common characteristic has been that they=E2=80=99re allpeople of the fewes=
t alternatives.=20

My emphasis has always been thedevelopment of enduring democratic and long-=
term grassroots social justiceorganizations =E2=80=93 effectively activist =
in ethos and practice.

My book, Jackson Mississippi: AnAmerican Chronicle of Struggle and Schism, =
quite recently out in expanded andupdated form provides a first hand, detai=
led, and no-punches-pulled insideaccount and analysis of the legendary Jack=
son Movement of 1962-63. It=E2=80=99s repletewith organizing methodologies =
and lessons.It also includes the essence of many other social justice campa=
igns ofmine.There are several links to thebook.Two good contemporary ones a=
re mywebsite page and my Amazon biography/book synopsis page:

http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm

http://www.amazon.com/John-R.-Salter/e/B001KMEHWY/ref=3Dntt_dp_epwbk_0

This organizing material has beenvery widely circulated over the years.An e=
xample, among others, would be LaborNet.com which sent it on to theFour Dir=
ections. I would appreciate it if this could be widely forwarded.Anyone wit=
h a good cause is free to use this andI ask only that I be credited as its =
author =E2=80=93 by any one of my several names.

I fought the lupustooth-and-claw.In 2010, it left =E2=80=93 and,miraculousl=
y, confirmed by blood tests since then, including one very recently,has nev=
er returned.These tests alsoindicate that all of my organs are in excellent=
 shape.

WHAT MAKES A GOODORGANIZER
http://www.hunterbear.org/my_combined_community_organizing.htm

Prologue by Hunter Bear: [September 5 2004]

Initially I wrote and posted/publishedthe two major following pieces at the=
 very end of December 2003 -- JUST WHATMAKES A DAMN GOOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZE=
R? BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITYORGANIZING; & then COMMUNITY ORGANIZING=
 PRINCIPLES -- OR,GETTING PRACTICAL. Obviously, this was a holiday period a=
nd many missedthem. Subsequently, they were reprinted in journals --for whi=
ch I amalways grateful. The specific comments I have received on all ofthes=
e have been consistently positive.

What I am doing here isreprinting/posting the two pieces, along with some n=
ew material. Anyoneis free to use any or all if he/she is a real or aspirin=
g Organizer but do giveme stated and explicit credit as the creator of the =
pieces. Ultimately,they and much more in the genre will appear in my next b=
ook. [My initialbook is JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: AN AMERICAN CHRONICLE OF STRU=
GGLE AND SCHISM andit has much in there about successful down to earth orga=
nizing techniques andstrategies in a most difficult and challenging situati=
on. See http://www.hunterbear.org/jackson.htm

One thing that I should add is that,in addition to practicing the Art of Or=
ganizing, I have also taught it and thatis indeed an Art as well. [All good=
 teaching is an art!] I have taught ita few thousand times at the working g=
rassroots and in all sorts of constructiveworkshops and conferences. I have=
 also taught it many times at thecollege/university level for both undergra=
d and/or graduate credit: as afull time prof at Tougaloo College, Goddard C=
ollege, University of Iowa, NavajoCommunity College [now Dine' or Dineh Col=
lege], and the University of NorthDakota; as a full timer in other courses =
at Wisconsin State [Superior] and CoeCollege; and as a part-timer at Univer=
sity of Washington and RooseveltUniversity.

And -- wherever I've taught CommunityOrg, grassroots or academia -- virtual=
ly every single person has wanted apractical, down to earth approach replet=
e with as many personal case historiesof campaigns that I can provide. This=
 also includes the personal histories ofvarious protagonists. And, again, w=
ith no false modesty, I have plenty of thosecases and people as well -- man=
y of which are on our now massive website, Lairof Hunterbear at www.hunterb=
ear.org]

Remember, too, a really goodorganizer/teacher always --always -- learns fro=
m his/her grassroots colleaguesand classroom students.

And, BTW, don't look for heavyideological stuff from me. The radical Southe=
rn poet, John Beecher, old friendover many decades , commented approvingly =
and publicly of me that "Hewears no man's collar."

Anyway, here are the two relatedpieces on Organizing. First, though, among =
other integral and relateddimensions of which I am writing are:

1] Invitations to the Organizer fromthe grassroots -- spontaneous and wrang=
led. Some can come to one's ownsponsoring organization; some can come direc=
tly to you if you are reasonablywell known; or you can arrange an invitatio=
n.

2] Issues: Some are readily apparent,some not always apparent -- e.g., econ=
omic relationships; some are immediatelyrealistic with work and some are fu=
turistic; some are frankly unrealistic inthe foreseeable future.

3] Planning philosophies: TopDown, vs Basic Grassroots Up [my preference]. =
Set forth general overall goals,long-range specific, short range specific. =
Heavy grassroots involvement here isalways critical.

4] Credibility of project: Should be made up and led primarily by the peopl=
e for whose benefit it islaunched: e.g., "those of the fewest alternatives.=
" Carefuldelineation and evaluation of active and potential leaders is obvi=
ouslycritical. And often things start out with a steering committee of lead=
ers andthen, after the organization has grown and more people are actively =
involved,elections of regular officers.

5] Some people may want to move toofast and others too slowly. The Organize=
r helps develop the group's tempo andassists grassroots leaders and people =
in meeting those expectations.

6] Direct action: Alwaysknow First Amendment and related rights. Picketing,=
 sit-ins, boycotts, massmarches are extremely useful. And there is always a=
 need for carefulorganization and tactical nonviolence. Direct action shoul=
d be accompanied byjudicious media coverage.

7] Media use: Has to beused carefully: national wire services; local televi=
sion, often with nationalhookups; local radio; local and regional press; sp=
ecialized press; newsreleases -- who, what, when, where, why and how; press=
 conferences; leafletswith ALL pertinent information; newsletters; communit=
y newspapers; communitycable TV; Internet. There is always a need for const=
antly updatedmedia/contact lists.

8] Lawyers and litigation: Defensive and aggressive legal actions -- "crimi=
nal" and civil; localvolunteers; paid lawyers; national organizational atto=
rneys -- e.g., ACLU,Lawyers Guild, Native American Rights Fund. Some non-in=
-court matters canbe handled very effectively by good law students.

9] Possible allies andpolitical action: National organizations; and governm=
ent agencies [becareful]; political -- informal approaches and quiet contac=
ts; formalapproaches and lobbying and direct requests; electoral [voting]. =
DON'TGET CO-OPTED.

10] Power structureanalysis: Check out Moody's industrials and Standard and=
 Poor's; andcheck out lawyers and their big business connections in Martind=
ale-Hubbell LawDirectory, and see FindLaw. Also see firms in U.S. Lawyer's =
Directory. CityDirectory will frequently give the official occupation of pe=
ople. See corporateprofit and not for profit charters at the state secretar=
y of state's office andcheck out annual registration of organizations from =
state attorney general orsometimes secretary of state. Data on charitable o=
rganizations can be found atstate attorney general's office and county tax =
assessor. There are alsovarious national and regional Who's Who and IRS and=
 U.S. GovernmentOrganization Manual and Congressional Directory. DON'T NEGL=
ECT HELPFULNON-OFFICIAL GOSSIP.

11] Coalitions [tend to be longterm] and alliances [often shorter term] are=
 sometimes beneficial and sometimesnot. Consider all of this carefully and =
try to avoid precipitousmarriages.

12] Although no Organizer --whether from the "outside" or the "inside" -- w=
ill everhave full consensus from the community, he or she must avoid the te=
mptation tobe a "Lone Ranger." That role can be temporarily justified onlyi=
n cases of extreme grassroots fear or heavy factionalism. [Hunter Bear]____=
___________________________________________________________________________=
__

JUST WHAT MAKES A DAMN GOOD COMMUNITYORGANIZER? BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OF COM=
MUNITY ORGANIZING HUNTER GRAY [HUNTERBEAR] 12/30/03 Published in the Spring=
 2004 issue of Independent Politics NewsAnd Published In Oregon Socialist, =
Winter/Spring 2004

I'm an Organizer, a damn good one. Iget and keep people together for social=
 justice action. I've been an Organizerfor virtually half a century -- all =
over much of what's called the UnitedStates. [I've also been, among other t=
hings, a fur trapper, forest firefighter, soldier, prospector, metal [devel=
opment] miner, minority hiring andtraining consultant, college/university p=
rofessor, writer.]

But my vocation is Organizer. I've doneit full time for many years indeed. =
And then, in conjunction with other jobs,I've always continued to organize,=
 somewhere and somehow.

What follows here is my essentiallyoutline conception of the characteristic=
s and qualities of a good and effectiveOrganizer who is genuinely on the gr=
assroots job. That can be a union local; atemporary single-issue effort; pe=
rmanent single-issue; permanent multi-issue;coalition. It can sometimes be =
a specialized service center -- which itselfsome way grows out of a communi=
ty organization. A Movement is a transcendentwidespread feeling, visionary,=
 fueled by many local organizational efforts --and it, in turn, inspires ma=
ny local efforts.

Assembling my scattered notes on thematter a few days ago, I spent some ver=
y early morning hours today [I riseabout 3:30 am] sketching this out on one=
 of my traditional yellow tablets.

___________________________________________________________________________=
________

1] The Organizer should be at leastbright -- alert and sparky. And hopefull=
y, be intelligent in a depthy and loftysense -- which characterizes most or=
ganizers who really stick with it over thelong pull.

2] The Organizer should be relatively"pure" in the moral sense. But not too=
 pure -- because no one,anywhere, wants a sanctimonious conscience hovering=
 about. Set a good personalexample. Do your recreational thing away from th=
e project. Wherever you are,avoid all drugs and go easy on alcohol [if you =
are even into thatsensitivity-dulling stuff.] Remember the old labor adage:=
 "You can't fightbooze and the boss at the same time." Always a special tar=
get, theorganizer has to be aware of the consistent danger of frame-ups.

3] The Organizer has to be a personwho is thoroughly ethical and honorable.=
 Among other things, this meansfiscal honesty [as soon as possible and when=
ever feasible, a local committeemade up of grassroots people should handle =
the financial end of things]. And italso means avoiding any hint of co-opta=
tion by the Adversary. The Organizershould always have at least a represent=
ative group of the grassroots peoplepresent when meeting with the Other Sid=
e -- unless local people clearly approvea unilateral approach.

4] Formal academic training in thehigher ed sense can certainly be useful t=
o any Organizer [or, as far as thatgoes, for anyone] -- but it isn't absolu=
tely critical. The Organizer, amongother attributes, should be fully litera=
te [including computer literate], withfinely tuned sensitivities, with one =
hell of a lot of good sense. And almostanyone can do much self-teaching.

Race and social class factors are notusually critical for a good Organizer.=
 [I'm a Native American who has workedcomfortably with Indians of many trib=
es, Chicanos, Southern and NorthernBlacks, Puerto Ricans, low-income Anglos=
. I've also never pretended to haveproletarian origins.]

In a word, be sensitive -- but beyourself.

5] The Organizer absolutely has to bea person who can communicate clearly a=
nd well. Often, this can mean teaching --without necessarily appearing to d=
o so [many people really don't like ateacher.] And communication, of course=
, involves one - to - one on a face - to- face basis, e-mail, phone calls, =
news announcements and press conferences,mass meetings -- and much more ind=
eed. It can also involve an Organizer helpingpeople with their own unique i=
ndividual/family problems. And that can help notonly the person but will st=
rengthen the overall effort.

6] The good Organizer will have somesort of altruistic ideology: couched as=
 an integrated, cogent set of beliefsembodying goals and tactics. After tha=
t, there are several choices:

A] The Organizer can be passive; andthe grassroots people can be the ones w=
ho make the goals and the tactics. Notso hot.

B] The Organizer can impose aspecific ideology -- including goals and tacti=
cs. Not so hot, either.

C] The Organizer can convey a generalideological perspective which the gras=
sroots people can take or not take. Theyare not going to want to feel pushe=
d or hammered into things, but they'llusually take it -- especially if it's=
 sensibly and sensitively"sold". They certainly may want some time -- and s=
hould have it -- tothink it all over. And, soon enough, together the organi=
zer and the people candevelop solid goals and effective tactics. Remember, =
the organizer bringsgifts and =C3=A9lan -- and the grassroots provides at l=
east most of the reality.

7] The Organizer must have agenuinely powerful and enduring commitment. Thi=
s has to involve a deep belief-- a very real belief -- in the People and th=
e Cause. The Organizer has to beable to recognize potential leaders -- and =
to involve all of the people.Virtually everyone has something of substantia=
l significance to contribute. Theorganizer gives ideas -- but it's ultimate=
ly up to the people whom theorganizer should never manipulate. Bona fide or=
ganizing [not service centerstuff] is about the hardest work there is. A go=
od Organizer is literally weddedto the campaign all the way through.

8] The Organizer has to have ahealthy but controllable ego -- with a strong=
 sense of destiny.

9] And any really healthy grassrootsorganizing campaign has to have a Visio=
n -- one that is two dimensional: OverThe Mountain Yonder, and the Day - To=
 - Day needs. As I have indicated, amovement which, among other things, is =
characterized by an idea whose time hascome, is a broad-based cause growing=
 out of local community organizationalefforts -- in turn inspiring and stim=
ulating new community-based thrusts. To becomea bona fide movement, there a=
bsolutely has to be the two-dimensional ethos andactive life. But the purel=
y local effort has to have the same two dimensionalingredients, whether it'=
s part of a movement or by itself.

[Something with vision only can easilywind up a small, in-grown sect; and s=
omething that's only day - to -day canbecome a tired service program. And w=
hen an organization has lost its way,factionalism is a sure thing along wit=
h the withdrawal of the local people.]

A good Organizer's role in all ofthis vision-building is extremely critical=
 -- especially at the outset. Butit's also critical all the way through in =
conjunction with the growingawareness of the grassroots people. The two-dim=
ensional vision -- Over TheMountain and Day - To -Day -- is the shiny idea =
that makes people part of acrusade and sometimes a truly great one. It all =
gives meaning to life. Andsometimes, if necessary, one will die for it. Eac=
h of these two dimensionsstimulates and feeds the other. A good and truly e=
ffective Organizer absolutelyhas to show this interconnection.

10] An Organizer definitely has to bea person with a tough hide -- not dete=
rred by cruel name-calling, physicalbeatings, or forced out of the game by =
injuring bullets or other bloodyefforts. The organizer has to be a person o=
f physical courage. And an Organizeralso has to have the courage to take un=
popular stands within the developinggrassroots effort.

11] And an Organizer cannot livematerially in the pretentious sense. Solida=
rity -- and also sacrifice!

Semper Fi -

HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR] Micmac/StFrancis Abenaki/St Regis Mohawk

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES --OR, GETTING PRACTICAL [REVISED DECEMBER 2=
5 2003] BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OFORGANIZING EXPERIENCE. HUNTER GRAY/JOHN R SA=
LTER, JR PUBLISHED IN OREGONSOCIALIST WINTER/SPRING 2004 WITH NEW MATERIAL =
8/25/04

Missing -- way too often -- inradical and general social justice circles an=
d related settings is awillingness to get down into the grassroots and enga=
ge systematically in someof the most challenging work there is: organizing =
the grassroots into genuinelyeffective and enduring outfits. That's Genesis=
 in the Save the World Business.It's often far too easy to engage in essent=
ially empty"jaw-smithing." Fortunately, there are always those -- Organizer=
s andgrassroots people -- who are willing to do the really tedious and toug=
horganizing work over the long pull. Those who are reasonably experienced h=
avetheir own particular approaches.

Here are my own basic ones:

These 17 essential organizingprinciples were created formally by me in earl=
y September 1963, after what hadalready been a number of years of successfu=
l social justice organizing -- andthen modified and supplemented a bit over=
 many decades of grassroots organizingcampaigns. Now I've transcribed them =
yet again -- with some changes -- onDecember 25 2003. They are part of a co=
nsiderably larger work that I also wrotein September 1963 -- "Organizing th=
e Community for Action." This wasinitially about six tightly packed single-=
spaced legal size pages. I madeseveral dozen mimeographed copies and sent t=
hem around -- and they were wellreceived. I continued to expand and polish =
up all of this and used"Organizing" and my following 17 component principle=
s many, manydozens of times in organizing campaigns, including -- among oth=
er dimensions --struggles, organizing staff and grassroots training capacit=
ies, conferences,and university classes. By this time, my little manual its=
elf had grown to ninetightly packed and single-spaced legal size pages. Cop=
ies of all versions of"Organizing the Community for Action" are in my colle=
cted[Salter/Gray] papers at State Historical Society of Wisconsin and Missi=
ssippiDepartment of Archives and History. The basically full ones began in =
March,1965 and August, 1966. In addition, I have copies of all of these edi=
tions ofmine right here in Idaho.

I'm presently rewriting parts of"Organizing the Community for Action" -- st=
reamlining and updating --and we are right now discussing the 17 principles=
 themselves here in thePocatello region as we get set for some anti-racist =
action.

The following applies primarily toorganizing staff and broad-based grassroo=
ts community organizations. But theycan also apply substantially -- with on=
ly a very few changes -- to other typesof outfits: e.g., local union organi=
zations.

Anyway -

1] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization is significa=
nt in size and composed primarily, ifnot completely, of those people "with =
the fewest alternatives".

2] The Organizers should insure thatactive and potential community leadersh=
ip is developed in such a fashion thatthe organization is led primarily, if=
 not completely, by those people with thefewest alternatives.

3] The Organizers should insure thatthe organization functions democratical=
ly, and not in an authoritarian fashionand that, among other things, formal=
 rules of democratic procedure areestablished and followed and that widespr=
ead grassroots participation anddecision-making in the affairs of the commu=
nity organization is a continuingfact; and that there is ever developing lo=
cal leadership. The executive andpublic meetings should be well attended an=
d organizers must insure that anatmosphere exists in which the individual a=
t the grassroots feels -- as isgenuinely the case --that he/she is an indiv=
idual; that his/her activeparticipation in the organization is needed and w=
elcomed; that right from thevery beginning, he/she can make their voice and=
 presence felt within theorganization; and that, as the group's endeavors a=
dvance, winning victories,his/her power and ability to affect those forces =
out in the problematic/crisisenvironment and beyond, which have been affect=
ing his/her life, will besteadily and proportionately increased.

4] The Organizers should insure thatthe youth are involved in the affairs o=
f the community organization -- eitherwithin it and with leadership partici=
pation, or in a parallel and cooperativeyouth group of their own.

5] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization, right from =
the beginning, is characterized bymaximum autonomy.

6] Although the initial formation ofthe community organization may be aroun=
d one paramount and pressing localissue, the Organizers -- not through rigi=
d superimposition but throughdiplomatic and effective teaching -- should in=
sure that, in the interests ofthe community organization's longevity and ef=
fectiveness, the leaders andmembership of the group become aware of all iss=
ues directly and indirectlyaffecting them. The Organizers should insure, th=
erefore, that the communityorganization functions on a multi-issue basis wh=
enever possible.

7] The Organizers should insure that,prior to reaching a decision on a part=
icular course of action, the communityorganization is aware of all relevant=
 tactical approaches and the variousramifications of each.

8] The Organizers should insure thatthe leaders of the community organizati=
on can effectively handle the matter ofpublicity.

9] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization can effectiv=
ely handle the raising andadministration of funds -- including, when applic=
able, the preparation offunding proposals, the negotiation of such, and the=
 effective administration ofthe money received.

10] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization becomes con=
nected with various relevant public andprivate agencies and is able to nego=
tiate and secure the necessary servicesfrom those agencies without surrende=
ring its autonomy or compromising its basicprinciples.

11] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization is able to =
function politically in a realistic andsophisticated fashion without surren=
dering its autonomy or compromising itsbasic principles. 12] The organizers=
 should insure that the communityorganization can utilize the services of p=
rofessionals without becomingdominated by such.

13] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization is able to =
enter into functional alliances withother groups without surrendering its a=
utonomy or compromising its basicprinciples.

14] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization is aware of=
 the use of effective and rationalprotest demonstrations and, further, that=
 it is fully cognizant of the meritsof tactical nonviolence.

15] The Organizers should insure thatthe community organization is aware of=
 the effective use of legal actionapproaches and is aware of public and pri=
vate legal resources.

16] The Organizers should build asense of the oft-visionary and just world =
of a full measure of bread-and butterand a full measure of freedom -- and h=
ow all of this relates to the shorterterm steps.

17] The Organizers, who at the outsetmay well play a very key role in the f=
unction and affairs of the communityorganization, must, on a step-by-step a=
nd essentially pragmatic basis, shiftincreasing responsibility to the leade=
rs and membership of the group, to eventually:

A] First, insure that the communityorganization can function effectively wi=
th only occasional involvement byOrganizers.

B] And then, that the communityorganization can function effectively with n=
o involvement by Organizers to thepoint that, in addition to conducting its=
 regular affairs, the group can"organize on its own" --bringing in new cons=
tituents and/or assistingother grassroots people in adjoining areas in sett=
ing up and conducting theirown community organizations.

I'm an Organizer -- a working socialjustice agitator. I've been one since t=
he mid-1950s and I'll always be one. Inmany respects, it's one of the tough=
est trails anyone could ever blaze.

An effective Organizer seeks to getgrassroots people together -- and does; =
develops on-going and genuinelydemocratic local leadership; deals effective=
ly with grievances andindividual/family concerns; works with the people to =
achieve basicorganizational goals and develop new ones; and builds a sense =
of the New WorldTo Come Over The Mountains Yonder -- and how all of that re=
lates to the shorterterm steps.

An effective Organizer has to be aperson of integrity, courage, commitment.=
 And a person of solidarity andsacrifice.

The satisfactions are enormous.

ADDED MATERIAL FROM HUNTER BEAR8/25/04

These are a couple of thoughtsapropos of coalitions:

First, I make a distinction between"alliances" and "coalitions." The former=
 is loose,flexible, and explicitly pragmatic, sometimes relatively short li=
ved, anddefinitely observes all of the autonomy and "identity integrity" of=
the partners. [It can sometimes be mercurial.] Those qualities shouldessent=
ially apply, of course, to "coalitions" -- but I am inclined tosee coalitio=
ns as much more formal and cohesive and generally characterized bysubstanti=
ve direction and longevity.

Each model is frequently quite usefulin our necessarily pragmatic and stati=
stically limited existence -- whoever"our" is. And nothing human can be an =
erector set. But neither has tobe viewed by its components as permanently i=
nstitutionalized.

Each model has to be grounded withina bona fide mutual respect.

Each model has to be based on"enlightened self interest" of an explicitly m=
utual nature.

Each model, maintaining an effectivefocus on the here-and-now in the contex=
t of Vision "over the mountainsyonder," has to avoid "ideological primacy."

Each model has to avoid cannibalism.

Each model has to avoidinter-meddling in the internal affairs of the respec=
tive components. Trite asit sounds, "continual communication" -- preferably=
 face to face -- iscritical in any alliance or coalition.

And, of course, in the last analysisthere is no substitute for fresh, grass=
roots, democratic and direct face toface community organization! As I have =
said -- sometimes to the point ofredundancy -- that's the hardest work in t=
he Cosmos. And, if that organizing isgenuinely effective in the "radical" s=
ense, it is never"respectable" in the eyes of the Big Mules.

Anything organizational [or unioncontract-wise] is only as good and effecti=
ve as its members wish to make it.

Fraternally / In Solidarity -

HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR]
HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / St. Francis Abenaki / =
St. Regis Mohawk=20
Protected by Na=C2=B4shdo=C2=B4i=C2=B4ba=C2=B4i=C2=B4=20
and Ohkwari'=20

Check out our massive social justice website:=20
www.hunterbear.org
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO=20

The Stormy Adoption of an Indian Child [My Father]:=20
http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm

(Photos)=20

My expanded/updated "Organizer's Book,"=20
JACKSON MISSISSIPPI -- with a new 10,000=20
word introduction by me. Covers much of my=20
confrontational social justice organizing life to=20
date. Contains much how-to grassroots organizing=20
methodology: http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm


If you=E2=80=99re a militant and radical organizer: http://www.crmvet.org/c=
omm/hunter1.htm




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<div><font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2"></font></div>
<div><font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2">&nbsp;<font face=3D"Times New Roman"=
 size=3D"3">

</font></font></div><font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2"><p style=3D"margin: 1=
2pt 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style=3D"lin=
e-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font face=3D"Calibri">HUNTER BEAR (HUNTE=
R GRAY)<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>NOVEMBER 2014=
</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Bona fide activist community
organizing is not an erector set proposition.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: y=
es;">&nbsp;
</span>It is an art.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roma=
n" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">This conveys, and it=E2=80=99s going out very
widely, the several integrally connected and sequential sections that compr=
ise
the core of my now very extensive community organizing course =E2=80=93 an =
extremely
long and heavily visited webpage on my Hunterbear website. The link to that=
 is
given below.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It=E2=80=99s b=
een a good while
since I have sent this material around =E2=80=93 and some may not have seen=
 it at all.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It will likely =
be a long time before I send
it around again. If it=E2=80=99s always timely, it certainly is now.</font>=
</span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">More than a decade ago, struck by
full-blown and deadly systemic lupus, and with my survival possibilities de=
emed
very speculative by all save myself and my family, I recognized that the ti=
me
had come to do some extensive writing on my considerable experiences,
reflections, and lessons learned as a social justice activist in the Save t=
he World
Business. (The lupus had spared my mind, if nothing else.)<span style=3D"ms=
o-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And quite a lot had happened with me (and i=
s
still happening) since my hatch a year after Franklin Roosevelt took office=
.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">One of my first endeavors was to
focus on my life long vocation =E2=80=93 an effective confrontational commu=
nity
organizer.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I=E2=80=99ve bee=
n doing that since I
was 21, back in 1955 =E2=80=93 well before I got to Mississippi in 1961 and=
 long, long
after I left North Carolina in 1967.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbs=
p;
</span>I=E2=80=99ve organized in many parts of this country, sometimes on a=
 =E2=80=9Cprofessional=E2=80=9D
full-time basis and sometimes as an activist college and university profess=
or =E2=80=93
and that can be full time organizing in its own right.<span style=3D"mso-sp=
acerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I=E2=80=99ve worked successfully with people fr=
om all
sorts of backgrounds whose common characteristic has been that they=E2=80=
=99re all
people of the fewest alternatives. </font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D=
"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">My emphasis has always been the
development of enduring democratic and long-term grassroots social justice
organizations =E2=80=93 effectively activist in ethos and practice.</font><=
/span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face=3D"Calibri"><b st=
yle=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; fon=
t-size: 12pt;">My book, Jackson Mississippi: An
American Chronicle of Struggle and Schism, quite recently out in expanded a=
nd
updated form provides a first hand, detailed, and no-punches-pulled inside
account and analysis of the legendary Jackson Movement of 1962-63. It=E2=80=
=99s replete
with organizing methodologies and lessons.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;=
">&nbsp;
</span>It also includes the essence of many other social justice campaigns =
of
mine.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are several lin=
ks to the
book.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Two good contemporary=
 ones are my
website page and my Amazon biography/book synopsis page:</span></b><font si=
ze=3D"3"> </font></font></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><a href=
=3D"http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm" mce_href=3D"http://hunterbear.org/ja=
ckson.htm"><font color=3D"#0563c1" face=3D"Calibri">http://hunterbear.org/j=
ackson.htm</font></a></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" siz=
e=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><a href=
=3D"http://www.amazon.com/John-R.-Salter/e/B001KMEHWY/ref=3Dntt_dp_epwbk_0"=
 target=3D"_blank" mce_href=3D"http://www.amazon.com/John-R.-Salter/e/B001K=
MEHWY/ref=3Dntt_dp_epwbk_0"><font color=3D"#0563c1" face=3D"Calibri">http:/=
/www.amazon.com/John-R.-Salter/e/B001KMEHWY/ref=3Dntt_dp_epwbk_0</font></a>=
</span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">This organizing material has been
very widely circulated over the years.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&n=
bsp;
</span>An example, among others, would be LaborNet.com which sent it on to =
the
Four Directions. I would appreciate it if this could be widely forwarded.<s=
pan style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Anyone with a good cause is =
free to use this and
I ask only that I be credited as its author =E2=80=93 by any one of my seve=
ral names.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D=
"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">I fought the lupus
tooth-and-claw.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In 2010, it=
 left =E2=80=93 and,
miraculously, confirmed by blood tests since then, including one very recen=
tly,
has never returned.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These t=
ests also
indicate that all of my organs are in excellent shape.</font></span></b><sp=
an style=3D'line-height: 107%; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size=
: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "=
Times New Roman";'>
</span></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><font face=3D"Calibri" size=3D"3">WHAT MAKES A GOOD
ORGANIZER<br>
</font><a href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/my_combined_community_organizin=
g.htm" target=3D"_blank" mce_href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/my_combined_=
community_organizing.htm"><font color=3D"#0563c1" face=3D"Calibri" size=3D"=
3">http://www.hunterbear.org/my_combined_community_organizing.htm</font></a=
></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Prologue by Hunter Bear:&nbsp;
[September 5 2004]</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman"=
 size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Initially I wrote and posted/published
the two major following pieces at the very end of December 2003 -- JUST WHA=
T
MAKES A DAMN GOOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER?&nbsp; BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OF COMMUN=
ITY
ORGANIZING;&nbsp;&amp; &nbsp; then COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES --&nbsp;=
 OR,
GETTING PRACTICAL. Obviously, this was a holiday period&nbsp; and many miss=
ed
them.&nbsp; Subsequently, they were reprinted in journals --for which I am
always grateful.&nbsp;&nbsp; The specific comments I have received on all o=
f
these have been consistently positive.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=
=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">What I am doing here is
reprinting/posting the two pieces, along with some new material.&nbsp; Anyo=
ne
is free to use any or all if he/she is a real or aspiring Organizer but do =
give
me stated and explicit credit as the creator of the pieces.&nbsp; Ultimatel=
y,
they and much more in the genre will appear in my next book.&nbsp; [My init=
ial
book is JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: AN AMERICAN CHRONICLE OF STRUGGLE AND SCHISM =
and
it has much in there about successful down to earth organizing techniques a=
nd
strategies in a most difficult and challenging situation.&nbsp; See </font>=
<a href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/jackson.htm" target=3D"_blank" mce_hre=
f=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/jackson.htm"><font color=3D"#0563c1" face=3D=
"Calibri">http://www.hunterbear.org/jackson.htm</font></a></span></b></p><d=
iv><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">One thing that I should add is that,
in addition to practicing the Art of Organizing, I have also taught it and =
that
is indeed an Art as well. [All good teaching is an art!]&nbsp; I have taugh=
t it
a few thousand times at the working grassroots and in all sorts of construc=
tive
workshops and conferences.&nbsp; I have also taught it many times at the
college/university level for both undergrad and/or graduate credit:&nbsp; a=
s a
full time prof at Tougaloo College, Goddard College, University of Iowa, Na=
vajo
Community College [now Dine' or Dineh College], and the University of North
Dakota; as a full timer in other courses at Wisconsin State [Superior] and =
Coe
College; and as a part-timer at University of Washington and Roosevelt
University.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">And -- wherever I've taught Community
Org, grassroots or academia -- virtually every single person has wanted a
practical, down to earth approach replete with as many personal case histor=
ies
of campaigns that I can provide. This also includes the personal histories =
of
various protagonists. And, again, with no false modesty, I have plenty of t=
hose
cases and people as well -- many of which are on our now massive website, L=
air
of Hunterbear at </font><a href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/" target=3D"_b=
lank" mce_href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org/"><font color=3D"#0563c1" face=
=3D"Calibri">www.hunterbear.org</font></a><font face=3D"Calibri">
]</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Remember, too, a really good
organizer/teacher always --always -- learns from his/her grassroots colleag=
ues
and classroom students.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New R=
oman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">And, BTW, don't look for heavy
ideological stuff from me. The radical Southern poet, John Beecher, old fri=
end
over many decades , commented approvingly and publicly of me that "He
wears no man's collar."</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New R=
oman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Anyway, here are the two related
pieces on Organizing.&nbsp; First, though, among other integral and related
dimensions of which I am writing are:</font></span></b></p><div><font face=
=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">1] Invitations to the Organizer from
the grassroots -- spontaneous and wrangled.&nbsp; Some can come to one's ow=
n
sponsoring organization; some can come directly to you if you are reasonabl=
y
well known; or you can arrange an invitation.</font></span></b></p><div><fo=
nt face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">2] Issues: Some are readily apparent,
some not always apparent -- e.g., economic relationships; some are immediat=
ely
realistic with work and some are futuristic; some are frankly unrealistic i=
n
the foreseeable future.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New R=
oman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">3]&nbsp; Planning philosophies: Top
Down, vs Basic Grassroots Up [my preference]. Set forth general overall goa=
ls,
long-range specific, short range specific. Heavy grassroots involvement her=
e is
always critical.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" s=
ize=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">4] Credibility of project:&nbsp;
Should be made up and led primarily by the people for whose benefit it is
launched: e.g., "those of the fewest alternatives."&nbsp; Careful
delineation and evaluation of active and potential leaders is obviously
critical. And often things start out with a steering committee of leaders a=
nd
then, after the organization has grown and more people are actively involve=
d,
elections of regular officers.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Time=
s New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">5] Some people may want to move too
fast and others too slowly. The Organizer helps develop the group's tempo a=
nd
assists grassroots leaders and people in meeting those expectations.</font>=
</span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">6]&nbsp; Direct action:&nbsp; Always
know First Amendment and related rights. Picketing, sit-ins, boycotts, mass
marches are extremely useful.&nbsp; And there is always a need for careful
organization and tactical nonviolence. Direct action should be accompanied =
by
judicious media coverage.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New=
 Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">7]&nbsp; Media use:&nbsp; Has to be
used carefully: national wire services; local television, often with nation=
al
hookups; local radio; local and regional press; specialized press;&nbsp; ne=
ws
releases -- who, what, when, where, why and how; press conferences; leaflet=
s
with ALL pertinent information; newsletters; community newspapers; communit=
y
cable TV; Internet.&nbsp; There is always a need for constantly updated
media/contact lists.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roma=
n" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">8] Lawyers and litigation:&nbsp;
Defensive and aggressive legal actions -- "criminal" and civil; local
volunteers; paid lawyers; national organizational attorneys -- e.g., ACLU,
Lawyers Guild, Native American Rights Fund.&nbsp; Some non-in-court matters=
 can
be handled very effectively by good law students.</font></span></b></p><div=
><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">9]&nbsp; Possible allies and
political action:&nbsp; National organizations; and government agencies [be
careful]; political -- informal approaches and quiet contacts; formal
approaches and lobbying and direct requests; electoral [voting].&nbsp; DON'=
T
GET CO-OPTED.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">10]&nbsp; Power structure
analysis:&nbsp; Check out Moody's industrials and Standard and Poor's; and
check out lawyers and their big business connections in Martindale-Hubbell =
Law
Directory, and see FindLaw. Also see firms in U.S. Lawyer's Directory. City
Directory will frequently give the official occupation of people. See corpo=
rate
profit and not for profit charters at the state secretary of state's office=
 and
check out annual registration of organizations from state attorney general =
or
sometimes secretary of state. Data on charitable organizations can be found=
 at
state attorney general's office and county tax assessor.&nbsp; There are al=
so
various national and regional Who's Who and IRS and U.S. Government
Organization Manual and Congressional Directory. DON'T NEGLECT HELPFUL
NON-OFFICIAL GOSSIP.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roma=
n" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">11]&nbsp; Coalitions [tend to be long
term] and alliances [often shorter term] are sometimes beneficial and somet=
imes
not.&nbsp; Consider all of this carefully and try to avoid precipitous
marriages.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D=
"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">12]&nbsp; Although no Organizer --
whether from the "outside" or the "inside" -- will ever
have full consensus from the community, he or she must avoid the temptation=
 to
be a "Lone Ranger."&nbsp; That role can be temporarily justified only
in cases of extreme grassroots fear or heavy factionalism. [Hunter Bear]
___________________________________________________________________________=
_
_____</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">JUST WHAT MAKES A DAMN GOOD COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER? BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER
BEAR] 12/30/03 Published in the Spring 2004 issue of Independent Politics N=
ews
And Published In Oregon Socialist, Winter/Spring 2004</font></span></b></p>=
<div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">I'm an Organizer, a damn good one. I
get and keep people together for social justice action. I've been an Organi=
zer
for virtually half a century -- all over much of what's called the United
States. [I've also been, among other things, a fur trapper, forest fire
fighter, soldier, prospector, metal [development] miner, minority hiring an=
d
training consultant, college/university professor, writer.]</font></span></=
b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">But my vocation is Organizer. I've done
it full time for many years indeed. And then, in conjunction with other job=
s,
I've always continued to organize, somewhere and somehow.</font></span></b>=
</p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">What follows here is my essentially
outline conception of the characteristics and qualities of a good and effec=
tive
Organizer who is genuinely on the grassroots job. That can be a union local=
; a
temporary single-issue effort; permanent single-issue; permanent multi-issu=
e;
coalition. It can sometimes be a specialized service center -- which itself
some way grows out of a community organization. A Movement is a transcenden=
t
widespread feeling, visionary, fueled by many local organizational efforts =
--
and it, in turn, inspires many local efforts.</font></span></b></p><div><fo=
nt face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Assembling my scattered notes on the
matter a few days ago, I spent some very early morning hours today [I rise
about 3:30 am] sketching this out on one of my traditional yellow tablets.<=
/font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">____________________________________________________________=
________________
_______</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"=
>

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">1] The Organizer should be at least
bright -- alert and sparky. And hopefully, be intelligent in a depthy and l=
ofty
sense -- which characterizes most organizers who really stick with it over =
the
long pull.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D=
"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">2] The Organizer should be relatively
"pure" in the moral sense. But not too pure -- because no one,
anywhere, wants a sanctimonious conscience hovering about. Set a good perso=
nal
example. Do your recreational thing away from the project. Wherever you are=
,
avoid all drugs and go easy on alcohol [if you are even into that
sensitivity-dulling stuff.] Remember the old labor adage: "You can't fight
booze and the boss at the same time." Always a special target, the
organizer has to be aware of the consistent danger of frame-ups.</font></sp=
an></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">3] The Organizer has to be a person
who is thoroughly ethical&nbsp; and honorable. Among other things, this mea=
ns
fiscal honesty [as soon as possible and whenever feasible, a local committe=
e
made up of grassroots people should handle the financial end of things]. An=
d it
also means avoiding any hint of co-optation by the Adversary. The Organizer
should always have at least a representative group of the grassroots people
present when meeting with the Other Side -- unless local people clearly app=
rove
a unilateral approach.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Ro=
man" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">4] Formal academic training in the
higher ed sense can certainly be useful to any Organizer [or, as far as tha=
t
goes, for anyone] -- but it isn't absolutely critical. The Organizer, among
other attributes, should be fully literate [including computer literate], w=
ith
finely tuned sensitivities, with one hell of a lot of good sense. And almos=
t
anyone can do much self-teaching.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"T=
imes New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Race and social class factors are not
usually critical for a good Organizer. [I'm a Native American who has worke=
d
comfortably with Indians of many tribes, Chicanos, Southern and Northern
Blacks, Puerto Ricans, low-income Anglos. I've also never pretended to have
proletarian origins.]</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Rom=
an" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">In a word, be sensitive -- but be
yourself.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"=
3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">5] The Organizer absolutely has to be
a person who can communicate clearly and well. Often, this can mean teachin=
g --
without necessarily appearing to do so [many people really don't like a
teacher.] And communication, of course, involves one - to - one on a face -=
 to
- face basis, e-mail, phone calls, news announcements and press conferences=
,
mass meetings -- and much more indeed. It can also involve an Organizer hel=
ping
people with their own unique individual/family problems. And that can help =
not
only the person but will strengthen the overall effort.</font></span></b></=
p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">6] The good Organizer will have some
sort of altruistic ideology: couched as an integrated, cogent set of belief=
s
embodying goals and tactics. After that, there are several choices:</font><=
/span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">A] The Organizer can be passive; and
the grassroots people can be the ones who make the goals and the tactics. N=
ot
so hot.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"=
>

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">B] The Organizer can impose a
specific ideology -- including goals and tactics. Not so hot, either.</font=
></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">C] The Organizer can convey a general
ideological perspective which the grassroots people can take or not take. T=
hey
are not going to want to feel pushed or hammered into things, but they'll
usually take it -- especially if it's sensibly and sensitively
"sold". They certainly may want some time -- and should have it -- to
think it all over. And, soon enough, together the organizer and the people =
can
develop solid goals and&nbsp; effective tactics. Remember, the organizer br=
ings
gifts and =C3=A9lan -- and the grassroots provides at least most of the rea=
lity.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">7] The Organizer must have a
genuinely powerful and enduring commitment. This has to involve a deep beli=
ef
-- a very real belief -- in the People and the Cause. The Organizer has to =
be
able to recognize potential leaders -- and to involve all of the people.
Virtually everyone has something of substantial significance to contribute.=
 The
organizer gives ideas -- but it's ultimately up to the people whom the
organizer should never manipulate. Bona fide organizing [not service center
stuff] is about the hardest work there is. A good Organizer is literally we=
dded
to the campaign all the way through.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=
=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">8] The Organizer has to have a
healthy but controllable ego -- with a strong sense of destiny.</font></spa=
n></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">9] And any really healthy grassroots
organizing campaign has to have a Vision -- one that is two dimensional: Ov=
er
The Mountain Yonder, and the Day - To - Day needs. As I have indicated, a
movement which, among other things, is characterized by an idea whose time =
has
come, is a broad-based cause growing out of local community organizational
efforts -- in turn inspiring and stimulating new community-based thrusts. T=
o become
a bona fide movement, there absolutely has to be the two-dimensional ethos =
and
active life. But the purely local effort has to have the same two dimension=
al
ingredients, whether it's part of a movement or by itself.</font></span></b=
></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">[Something with vision only can easily
wind up a small, in-grown sect; and something that's only day - to -day can
become a tired service program. And when an organization has lost its way,
factionalism is a sure thing along with the withdrawal of the local people.=
]</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">A good Organizer's role in all of
this vision-building is extremely critical -- especially at the outset. But
it's also critical all the way through in conjunction with the growing
awareness of the grassroots people. The two-dimensional vision -- Over The
Mountain and Day - To -Day -- is the shiny idea that makes people part of a
crusade and sometimes a truly great one. It all gives meaning to life. And
sometimes, if necessary, one will die for it. Each of these two dimensions
stimulates and feeds the other. A good and truly effective Organizer absolu=
tely
has to show this interconnection.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"T=
imes New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">10] An Organizer definitely has to be
a person with a tough hide -- not deterred by cruel name-calling, physical
beatings, or forced out of the game by injuring bullets or other bloody
efforts. The organizer has to be a person of physical courage. And an Organ=
izer
also has to have the courage to take unpopular stands within the developing
grassroots effort.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman"=
 size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">11] And an Organizer cannot live
materially in the pretentious sense. Solidarity -- and also sacrifice!</fon=
t></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Semper Fi -</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times Ne=
w Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR] Micmac/St
Francis Abenaki/St Regis Mohawk</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Tim=
es New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES --
OR, GETTING PRACTICAL [REVISED DECEMBER 25 2003] BASED ON MY 50 YEARS OF
ORGANIZING EXPERIENCE. HUNTER GRAY/JOHN R SALTER, JR PUBLISHED IN OREGON
SOCIALIST WINTER/SPRING 2004 WITH NEW MATERIAL 8/25/04</font></span></b></p=
><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Missing -- way too often -- in
radical and general social justice circles and related settings is a
willingness to get down into the grassroots and engage systematically in so=
me
of the most challenging work there is: organizing the grassroots into genui=
nely
effective and enduring outfits. That's Genesis in the Save the World Busine=
ss.
It's often far too easy to engage in essentially empty
"jaw-smithing." Fortunately, there are always those -- Organizers and
grassroots people -- who are willing to do the really tedious and tough
organizing work over the long pull. Those who are reasonably experienced ha=
ve
their own particular approaches.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Ti=
mes New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Here are my own basic ones:</font></span></b></p><div><font =
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">These 17 essential organizing
principles were created formally by me in early September 1963, after what =
had
already been a number of years of successful social justice organizing -- a=
nd
then modified and supplemented a bit over many decades of grassroots organi=
zing
campaigns. Now I've transcribed them yet again -- with some changes -- on
December 25 2003. They are part of a considerably larger work that I also w=
rote
in September 1963 -- "Organizing the Community for Action." This was
initially about six tightly packed single-spaced legal size pages. I made
several dozen mimeographed copies and sent them around -- and they were wel=
l
received. I continued to expand and polish up all of this and used
"Organizing" and my following 17 component principles many, many
dozens of times in organizing campaigns, including -- among other dimension=
s --
struggles, organizing staff and grassroots training capacities, conferences=
,
and university classes. By this time, my little manual itself had grown to =
nine
tightly packed and single-spaced legal size pages. Copies of all versions o=
f
"Organizing the Community for Action" are in my collected
[Salter/Gray] papers at State Historical Society of Wisconsin and Mississip=
pi
Department of Archives and History. The basically full ones began in March,
1965 and August, 1966. In addition, I have copies of all of these editions =
of
mine right here in Idaho.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New=
 Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">I'm presently rewriting parts of
"Organizing the Community for Action" -- streamlining and updating --
and we are right now discussing the 17 principles themselves here in the
Pocatello region as we get set for some anti-racist action.</font></span></=
b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">The following applies primarily to
organizing staff and broad-based grassroots community organizations. But th=
ey
can also apply substantially -- with only a very few changes -- to other ty=
pes
of outfits: e.g., local union organizations.</font></span></b></p><div><fon=
t face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Anyway -</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New R=
oman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">1] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization is significant in size and composed primarily, i=
f
not completely, of those people "with the fewest alternatives".</font></spa=
n></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">2] The Organizers should insure that
active and potential community leadership is developed in such a fashion th=
at
the organization is led primarily, if not completely, by those people with =
the
fewest alternatives.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roma=
n" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">3] The Organizers should insure that
the organization functions democratically, and not in an authoritarian fash=
ion
and that, among other things, formal rules of democratic procedure are
established and followed and that widespread grassroots participation and
decision-making in the affairs of the community organization is a continuin=
g
fact; and that there is ever developing local leadership. The executive and
public meetings should be well attended and organizers must insure that an
atmosphere exists in which the individual at the grassroots feels -- as is
genuinely the case --that he/she is an individual; that his/her active
participation in the organization is needed and welcomed; that right from t=
he
very beginning, he/she can make their voice and presence felt within the
organization; and that, as the group's endeavors advance, winning victories=
,
his/her power and ability to affect those forces out in the problematic/cri=
sis
environment and beyond, which have been affecting his/her life, will be
steadily and proportionately increased.</font></span></b></p><div><font fac=
e=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">4] The Organizers should insure that
the youth are involved in the affairs of the community organization -- eith=
er
within it and with leadership participation, or in a parallel and cooperati=
ve
youth group of their own.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New=
 Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">5] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization, right from the beginning, is characterized by
maximum autonomy.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" =
size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">6] Although the initial formation of
the community organization may be around one paramount and pressing local
issue, the Organizers -- not through rigid superimposition but through
diplomatic and effective teaching -- should insure that, in the interests o=
f
the community organization's longevity and effectiveness, the leaders and
membership of the group become aware of all issues directly and indirectly
affecting them. The Organizers should insure, therefore, that the community
organization functions on a multi-issue basis whenever possible.</font></sp=
an></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">7] The Organizers should insure that,
prior to reaching a decision on a particular course of action, the communit=
y
organization is aware of all relevant tactical approaches and the various
ramifications of each.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Ro=
man" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">8] The Organizers should insure that
the leaders of the community organization can effectively handle the matter=
 of
publicity.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D=
"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">9] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization can effectively handle the raising and
administration of funds -- including, when applicable, the preparation of
funding proposals, the negotiation of such, and the effective administratio=
n of
the money received.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman=
" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">10] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization becomes connected with various relevant public a=
nd
private agencies and is able to negotiate and secure the necessary services
from those agencies without surrendering its autonomy or compromising its b=
asic
principles.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">11] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization is able to function politically in a realistic a=
nd
sophisticated fashion without surrendering its autonomy or compromising its
basic principles. 12] The organizers should insure that the community
organization can utilize the services of professionals without becoming
dominated by such.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman"=
 size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">13] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization is able to enter into functional alliances with
other groups without surrendering its autonomy or compromising its basic
principles.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">14] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization is aware of the use of effective and rational
protest demonstrations and, further, that it is fully cognizant of the meri=
ts
of tactical nonviolence.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New =
Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">15] The Organizers should insure that
the community organization is aware of the effective use of legal action
approaches and is aware of public and private legal resources.</font></span=
></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">16] The Organizers should build a
sense of the oft-visionary and just world of a full measure of bread-and bu=
tter
and a full measure of freedom -- and how all of this relates to the shorter
term steps.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">17] The Organizers, who at the outset
may well play a very key role in the function and affairs of the community
organization, must, on a step-by-step and essentially pragmatic basis, shif=
t
increasing responsibility to the leaders and membership of the group, to ev=
entually:</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"=
3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">A] First, insure that the community
organization can function effectively with only occasional involvement by
Organizers.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">B] And then, that the community
organization can function effectively with no involvement by Organizers to =
the
point that, in addition to conducting its regular affairs, the group can
"organize on its own" --bringing in new constituents and/or assisting
other grassroots people in adjoining areas in setting up and conducting the=
ir
own community organizations.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times =
New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">I'm an Organizer -- a working social
justice agitator. I've been one since the mid-1950s and I'll always be one.=
 In
many respects, it's one of the toughest trails anyone could ever blaze.</fo=
nt></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">An effective Organizer seeks to get
grassroots people together -- and does; develops on-going and genuinely
democratic local leadership; deals effectively with grievances and
individual/family concerns; works with the people to achieve basic
organizational goals and develop new ones; and builds a sense of the New Wo=
rld
To Come Over The Mountains Yonder -- and how all of that relates to the sho=
rter
term steps.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">An effective Organizer has to be a
person of integrity, courage, commitment. And a person of solidarity and
sacrifice.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D=
"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">The satisfactions are enormous.</font></span></b></p><div><f=
ont face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">ADDED MATERIAL FROM HUNTER BEAR
8/25/04</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3"=
>

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">These are a couple of thoughts
apropos of coalitions:</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Ro=
man" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">First, I make a distinction between
"alliances" and "coalitions." The former is loose,
flexible, and explicitly pragmatic, sometimes relatively short lived, and
definitely observes all of the autonomy and "identity integrity" of
the partners. [It can sometimes be mercurial.] Those qualities should
essentially apply, of course, to "coalitions" -- but I am inclined to
see coalitions as much more formal and cohesive and generally characterized=
 by
substantive direction and longevity.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=
=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model is frequently quite useful
in our necessarily pragmatic and statistically limited existence -- whoever
"our" is. And nothing human can be an erector set. But neither has to
be viewed by its components as permanently institutionalized.</font></span>=
</b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model has to be grounded within
a bona fide mutual respect.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times N=
ew Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model has to be based on
"enlightened self interest" of an explicitly mutual nature.</font></span></=
b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model, maintaining an effective
focus on the here-and-now in the context of Vision "over the mountains
yonder," has to avoid "ideological primacy."</font></span></b></p><div><fon=
t face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model has to avoid cannibalism.</font></span></b></p><d=
iv><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Each model has to avoid
inter-meddling in the internal affairs of the respective components. Trite =
as
it sounds, "continual communication" -- preferably face to face -- is
critical in any alliance or coalition.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=
=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">And, of course, in the last analysis
there is no substitute for fresh, grassroots, democratic and direct face to
face community organization! As I have said -- sometimes to the point of
redundancy -- that's the hardest work in the Cosmos. And, if that organizin=
g is
genuinely effective in the "radical" sense, it is never
"respectable" in the eyes of the Big Mules.</font></span></b></p><div><font=
 face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Anything organizational [or union
contract-wise] is only as good and effective as its members wish to make it=
.</font></span></b></p><div><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">Fraternally / In Solidarity -</font></span></b></p><div><fon=
t face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font></div><p style=3D"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style=3D"mso-bidi-font-we=
ight: normal;"><span style=3D"line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt;"><font fa=
ce=3D"Calibri">HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR]</font></span></b></p></font><div><=
font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2"><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">

</font><font face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D"3">
</font></font>HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / St. Fran=
cis Abenaki / St. Regis Mohawk=20
<br>
Protected by Na=C2=B4shdo=C2=B4i=C2=B4ba=C2=B4i=C2=B4=20
<br>
and Ohkwari'=20
<br>

<br>
Check out our massive social justice website:=20
<br>
<a href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org" mce_href=3D"http://www.hunterbear.org=
">www.hunterbear.org</a>&nbsp;=20
<br>
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO=20
<br>

<br>
The Stormy Adoption of an Indian Child [My Father]:=20
<br>
<a href=3D"http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm" mce_=
href=3D"http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm">http://=
hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm</a></div><div>&nbsp;=20
<br>
(Photos)=20
<br>

<br>
My expanded/updated "Organizer's Book,"=20
<br>
JACKSON MISSISSIPPI -- with a new 10,000=20
<br>
word introduction by me. Covers much of my=20
<br>
confrontational social justice organizing life to=20
<br>
date. Contains much how-to grassroots organizing=20
<br>
methodology: <a href=3D"http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm" mce_href=3D"http=
://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm">http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm</a></div><=
div><br>
<br>
If you=E2=80=99re a militant and radical organizer: <a href=3D"http://www.c=
rmvet.org/comm/hunter1.htm" mce_href=3D"http://www.crmvet.org/comm/hunter1.=
htm">http://www.crmvet.org/comm/hunter1.htm</a></div><div>
<br></div>




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