I Feel the Same Way (Step 2 of 6)

[SARN Memo for October 7, 2009]

[In this six-step series, we’re looking at the spiral model of community organizing. It’s a great tool to help groups make change by working together. It works well for small groups. This week: Step Two.]

Step Two is where you look for patterns. In Step One, each person told his or her story. After everyone has weighed in, you now ask: “What do we have in common?”

You’re looking for a good issue to work on. If there is something that affects most of your members, that could be a good thing to work on together. (Next week: Step Three – Gather information.)

1. Step Two of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Look for Patterns
2. More about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing
3. Group Activity: Too Big, Too Small
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. Step Two of the Spiral Model of Community Organizing: Look for Patterns

In Step One, each person talked about what’s going on for him or her. Now look for a pattern in your separate stories. See if there’s something most of you have in common. If so, that’s something (an issue) you can work on together.

If a problem affects only one person, it’s not a good issue for your group to work on. Ask questions to check for patterns. “Does anyone else have a problem with that particular bus driver?” If you find something that connects to most of the group, you have a good issue.

(In Step Three, you’ll gather the information you need to work on your new issue.)

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2. More about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing

The spiral model of community organizing is a six-step process that leads to lasting change. It’s a method for groups to identify areas of common concern and then address these issues by working together. Like all community organizing, using this model will strengthen your self-advocacy group. It will build leadership skills in all members. (The method was developed by the Doris Marshall Institute of Toronto.)

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3. Group Activity: Too Big, Too Small

In Step Two, you’re selecting an issue for your group to work on. It’s important to get an issue you can succeed with. Choosing a huge issue (global warming) will bog you down. Choosing a narrow issue that affects only one person (Betty’s mom forgets to call her) is too small—it doesn’t affect enough people.

Here’s a way to practice judging the size of issues and the likelihood of it being something your group can do: Read this list, and ask people to decide (then vote on) if it’s “too big,” “too small,” or “a good size issue” for your particular group to work on. After each vote, ask one or two people to explain their choice.

• Stop global warming by next year.
• Betty’s mom forgets to call her.
• Our city hall does not have a wheelchair ramp.
• The state of Iowa needs better special education services.
• The bus driver on Line 24B is rude to people with disabilities.
• Fred loses his keys at work, and gets scolded.
• McDonald’s on Front Street won’t hire people with disabilities.
• We need more money for health insurance.
• [make up your own, related to your group, your city, etc.]

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4. Resource

Step By Step: Understanding the Spiral Model of Community Organizing
In this self-led workshop, you can learn together about the Spiral Model of Community Organizing using a variety of interactive exercises.

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