“Below is our toolbox of tool topics. Click to reveal tools that correspond with the categories you select…3rd Party Nonviolent Intervention, De-escalation & Peacekeeping, Direct Action, Diversity & Anti-Oppression, Energizers & Games, Meeting Facilitation, Online Training Tools, Organizing & Strategy, Team Building, Training Fundamentals”
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“Toxics Action Center’s mission is to work side-by-side with communities, empowering you with the skills and resources needed to prevent or clean up pollution at the local level. Since 1987, we have organized over 1,000 community groups and trained over 20,000 individuals across New England to put together plans and strategies to effectively solve the problems they face. Not only do we provide the tools they need to defend their health and safety, but also the expertise they need to think strategically and come together for proactive, positive change. In our 30 year history, we have helped win hundreds of campaigns to protect the health of citizens and neighborhoods across the region.”
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“Training for Change is a training and capacity building organization for activists and organizers. We believe strong training and group facilitation is vital to movement building for social justice and radical change. Since 1992, we’ve supported groups taking direct action, building strong teams and organizations, and working at the grassroots. We train thousands of people each year in North America, and also internationally, across issues and sectors – from campaign strategy retreats for anti-gentrification community groups, facilitation training for union leaders, to de-escalation skills for immigrant rights groups resisting deportation.”
Read More Recordings of webinars on nonviolent action. “The name “Towards a Nonviolent World” stands for a big vision that this world can be more nonviolent, if there is the awareness and willingness to direct our actions towards that goal. It is a process, or ‘journey’, for which we need to train our ‘peace-building’ skills.”
Read More “Tools for Radical Democracy is an essential resource for grassroots organizers and leaders, students of activism and advocacy, and anyone trying to increase the civic participation of ordinary people. Authors Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos share stories and tools from their nationally recognized and award-winning work of building a community-led organization, training community leaders, and conducting campaigns that changed public policy and delivered concrete results to tens of thousands of people. This how-to manual includes: · In-depth analysis of how to launch and win a campaign. · Tools and guidelines for training people to lead their own campaigns and organizations. · Insights for using technology effectively, building more powerful alliances, and engaging in the social justice movement. “
Read More “Tools for Change was formed in 2010 by members of Earthroots and OPIRG Toronto. We help you develop skills to champion social, economic, and environmental justice. We host over 20 workshops a year. Workshops are offered on a sliding scale of $20, $30 and $50 and scholarships are available to ensure that nobody is turned away due to lack of funds. Staff and active volunteers of our community partners can attend for free or by donation. This includes students from University of Toronto, York University, George Brown College and OCAD University.”
Read More “Time: 5 to 10 minutes to practice each variation. Goal or purpose: To learn physical tools that can help you protect yourself and others in your group, and de-escalate a situation.”
Read More “Threshold is a community of individuals united by our commitment to create a just, joyful, and generative world. For more than three decades, Threshold has been a catalyst for social and environmental change by seeding hundreds of nascent organizations, and by supporting the inception of multiple donor networks and socially responsible businesses throughout the world. We are a multi-generational membership organization devoted to aligning our resources with our values while fostering a fertile training ground for the full and authentic expression of our passions and purpose.”
Read More “This book of readings, meditations, rituals and workshop notes prepared on three continents helps us remember that environmental defense is nothing less than “Self” defense. Including magnificent illustrations of Australia’s rainforests, ‘Thinking Like a Mountain’ provides a context for ritual identification with the natural environment, inviting us to begin a process of “community therapy” in defense of Mother Earth. It helps us experience our place in the web of life, rather than on the apex of some human-centered pyramid. An important deep ecology educational tool for activist, school and religious groups, ‘Thinking Like a Mountain’ can also be used for personal reflection.”
Read More “The Western Mining Action Network’s (WMAN) mission is to foster and support a strong network that protects communities, land, water, air, and wildlife by reforming mining practices and holding government and corporations accountable. More than 300 individuals representing organizations, communities, tribes, and First Nations participate in WMAN. “
Read More “This blog is mainly written with an audience of vegans/animal rights activists in mind. The strategies and ways of communication that I support and write about, are usually pragmatic and friendly in nature. What I hope to do is to provide arguments why pragmatic and friendly activism and communication work. Being friendly and pragmatic is not (just) about a concern not to offend people, and it certainly is not about compromising or selling out. It is also not about being slow, or thinking that we have time to spare. It is not about not being vegan or betraying the animals. Rather, being friendly and pragmatic is a matter of strategy. It is about being effective. It is about diminishing animal suffering in the fastest possible way. The friendly and pragmatic part of our movement needs arguments for why this approach works, lest they not be accused of not being interested in veganizing the world and just sitting around sharing recipes and eating cupcakes. I try to provide these arguments.”
Read More “Founded in 1944, The Vegan Society is a registered educational charity that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism.”
Read More“The Kingian Nonviolence workshops are transformational experiences that have helped thousands of people from around the world understand the depth of the philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their lives and their work…Whether you are an organizer working for social change, a teacher trying to change the culture of your school or simply an individual trying to deal with the conflicts in your personal life, each person will walk away from our workshops with new skills and a new perspective.”
Read MoreBook: “Is There No Other Way? is the mature work of one of the world’s most widely respected peace scholars and activists. Beginning with the achievements of Mahatma Gandhi, and following the legacy of nonviolence through the struggles against Nazism in Europe, racism in America, oppression in China and Latin America, and ethnic conflicts in Africa and Bosnia, Nagler unveils a hidden history. Nonviolence, he proposes, has proven its power against arms and social injustice wherever it has been correctly understood and applied. Nagler’s approach is not only historical, but also spiritual. He argues, drawing upon the experience of Gandhi and other activists, that the shift to nonviolence begins within the individual, through the reshaping and re-visioning of how one understands the world. He then shows how from changes in the individual, changes in the larger community follow. Is There No Other Way? is a provocative and emotionally powerful document that challenges readers’ assumptions about the workings of power in their homes and communities, as well as the larger political arena.”
Read More “The Ruckus Society is a multi-racial network of trainers dedicated to providing the necessary tools, preparation, and support to build direct action capacity for ecological justice and social change movements. We work with Indigenous communities and other communities of color working to preserve their homes and environments and for climate justice.”
Read More Book: “The Path of Most Resistance: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Nonviolent Campaigns is a practical guide for activists and organizers of all levels, who wish to grow their nonviolent resistance activities into a more strategic, fixed-term campaign. It guides readers through the campaign planning process, breaking it down into several steps and providing tools and exercises for each step. Upon finishing the book, readers will have what they need to guide their peers through the process of planning a campaign. This process, as laid out in the guide, is estimated to take about 12 hours from start to finish. The guide is divided into two parts. The first lays out and contextualizes campaign planning tools and their objectives. It also explains the logic behind these tools, and how they can be modified to better suit a particular group’s context. The second part provides easily reproducible and shareable lesson plans for using each of those tools, and explores how to embed the tools in the wider planning process.”
Read More “The Peace Alliance empowers civic action toward a Culture of Peace…One of the unique things that the Peace Alliance does is to focus not only on doing, and also being. We shift human understanding toward empathy, compassion and connection, thus fostering interdependence among citizens and dialogue toward common ground and peaceful solutions to conflict. This is the only approach that will work. Our Peace Alliance Council Leads establish what they feel are the clear and direct actions, through education, advocacy and collaboration, to expand and reinforce this shift to compassionate understanding and an expanded culture of peace.”
Read More“Love Is Stronger Than Hate. “Nonviolence is not the recourse of the weak but actually calls for an uncommon kind of strength; it is not a refraining from something but the engaging of a positive force,” renowned peace activist Michael Nagler writes. Here he offers a step-by-step guide to creatively using nonviolence to confront any problem and to build change movements capable of restructuring the very bedrock of society. Nagler identifies some specific tactical mistakes made by unsuccessful nonviolent actions such as the Tiananmen Square demonstrations and the Occupy protests and includes stories of successful nonviolent resistance from around the world, including an example from Nazi Germany. And he shows that nonviolence is more than a tactic—it is a way of living that will enrich every area of our lives.”
Read More “-Stage one: normal times -Stage two: prove the failure of institutions -Stage three: ripening conditions -Stage four: social movement take-off -Stage five: identity crisis of powerlessness -Stage six: majority public support -Stage seven: success -Stage eight: continuing the struggle”
Read More “A Greenpeace guide to cooking up people powered campaigns…Learn the “key ingredients” of people-powered campaigns and approaches for becoming more engagement-centric.” 44 page pdf available in Arabic, Chinese (Hong Kong), Chinese (Taiwan), French, Slovenian and Spanish.
Read More “Building upon the achievements of Stanford University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project, the King Institute supports a broad range of activities illuminating Dr. King’s life and the movements he inspired.”
Read More“Howard Zehr is the father of Restorative Justice and is known worldwide for his pioneering work in transforming understandings of justice. Here he proposes workable principles and practices for making Restorative Justice possible in this revised and updated edition of his bestselling, seminal book on the movement. (The original edition has sold more than 110,000 copies.) Restorative Justice, with its emphasis on identifying the justice needs of everyone involved in a crime, is a worldwide movement of growing influence that is helping victims and communities heal, while holding criminals accountable for their actions. This is not soft-on-crime, feel-good philosophy, but rather a concrete effort to bring justice and healing to everyone involved in a crime. In The Little Book of Restorative Justice, Zehr first explores how restorative justice is different from criminal justice. Then, before letting those appealing observations drift out of reach into theoretical space, Zehr presents Restorative Justice practices. Zehr undertakes a massive and complex subject and puts it in graspable from, without reducing or trivializing it. This resource is also suitable for academic classes and workshops, for conferences and trainings, as well as for the layperson interested in understanding this innovative and influential movement.”
Read More“Much more than a response to harm, restorative justice nurtures relational, interconnected school cultures. The wisdom embedded within its principles and practices is being welcomed at a time when exclusionary discipline and zero tolerance policies are recognized as perpetuating student apathy, disproportionality, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Relying on the wisdom of early proponents of restorative justice, the daily experiences of educators, and the authors’ extensive experience as classroom teachers and researchers, this Little Book guides the growth of restorative justice in education (RJE) into the future. Incorporating activities, stories, and examples throughout the book, three major interconnected and equally important aspects of restorative justice in education are explained and applied: creating just and equitable learning environments; building and maintaining healthy relationships; healing harm and transforming conflict. The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education is a reference that practitioners can turn to repeatedly for clarity and consistency as they implement restorative justice in educational settings.”
Read MoreBook: “The Lifelong Activist is a guide to living a joyful and productive life that includes a strong progressive mission. It offers simple and clear instructions that help you figure out the form your authentic life should take, and live that life with a maximum of joy and productivity, and a minimum of fear, guilt and shame. The book’s sections are: -Managing Your Mission (figuring out your authentic mission). -Managing Your Time (building a schedule that allows you to realize that mission). -Managing Your Fears (beating perfectionism, procrastination and blocks to success, so you can follow your schedule). -Managing Your Relationships (leveraging your strengths with those of others). The Lifelong Activist is for liberal activists, artists, campaign workers, labor organizers, volunteers, students, teachers, human services workers, and entrepreneurs, but anyone can use it and learn from it. It can act as a useful handbook for students and young people at the beginning of their careers; those contemplating a career or path change; and those at risk for burnout will find it particularly useful.”
Read More “The mission of The Life You Can Save (TLYCS) is to help change the culture of giving in affluent countries while dramatically raising annual donations to highly impactful nonprofits that reduce suffering and premature death, and improve life and livelihoods, for people living in extreme poverty.”
Read More“Revealing the numbers of animals killed worldwide by the meat, egg, and dairy industries since you opened this webpage…The program code for all versions of the Animal Kill Counter is “open source,” which means that anyone is welcome to copy and use the code, and even modify the code as they see fit.”
Read More “The Institute for Human Rights & Responsibilities, Inc. (IHRR) is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation that promotes adult leadership education for nonviolent democratic social change programs and projects. Located in Galena, Ohio, the IHRR publishes nonviolence and democracy educational materials, and conducts residential adult education leadership programs and nonviolence conflict reconciliation projects. Emphasis is placed on the institutionalization of nonviolence and democracy skills and information programs.”
Read More Film: “With the exception of our companion animals and the wild and stray species within our urban environments, we experience animals daily only as the food, clothing, animal tested goods and entertainment we make of them. This moral dilemma is largely hidden from our view. THE GHOSTS IN OUR MACHINE illuminates the lives of individual animals living within and rescued from the machine of our modern world. Through the heart and photographic lens of animal rights photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur, audiences become intimately familiar with a cast of non-human animals. From undercover investigations to joyful rescue missions, in North America and in Europe, each photograph and story is a window into global animal industries: Food, Fashion, Entertainment and Research. THE GHOSTS IN OUR MACHINE charts McArthur’s efforts to bring wider attention to a topic that most of humankind strives hard to avoid. Are non-human animals property to be owned and used, or are they sentient beings deserving of rights?”
Read More “The Forgiveness Project collects and shares stories from both victims/ survivors and perpetrators of crime and conflict who have rebuilt their lives following hurt and trauma. Founded in 2004 by journalist, Marina Cantacuzino, The Forgiveness Project provides resources and experiences to help people examine and overcome their own unresolved grievances. The testimonies we collect bear witness to the resilience of the human spirit and act as a powerful antidote to narratives of hate and dehumanisation, presenting alternatives to cycles of conflict, violence, crime and injustice. At the heart of The Forgiveness Project is an understanding that restorative narratives have the power to transform lives; not only supporting people to move on from harm or trauma, but also building a climate of tolerance, resilience, hope and empathy. This idea informs our work across multiple platforms – in publications and educational resources, through the international F Word exhibition, in public conversations, and our award-winning RESTORE prison programme. The stories of forgiveness on our website demonstrate that forgiveness is first and foremost a personal journey, with no set rules or time limits. We are a secular organisation sharing stories from all faiths and none.”
Read More Introduction to fundraising, Planning an event, How to increase donations, Useful links and resources
Read More “The Earth is facing a climate crisis, driven by fossil fuels. At Climate Reality, we’re here to make urgent action a necessity. In politics. In business. In every aspect of our lives. Everywhere. Urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and speed the global shift to renewables. Urgent action to halt the Trump Administration’s radical fossil fuel agenda. Urgent action to make world leaders strengthen and honor their Paris Agreement commitments. Led by former US Vice President Al Gore and CEO and President Ken Berlin, we do it by empowering everyday people to become activists, equipped with the tools, training, and network to fight for solutions and drive change planet-wide. The result is over 19,000 Climate Reality Leaders mobilizing communities in over 150 countries. Branches in 10 critical nations and regions around the Earth. 100 activists chapters (and growing) pushing for practical clean energy policies across the US. Together, they add up to a powerful movement growing by the day. One by the people. Of the people. For the planet. Join us.”
Read More “Over the past ten years we’ve put together a catalogued collection of over 200 books on social change, social movements, activist research and community campaigns and that challenge, inform and inspire. This is a list of our current favourites.”
Read More “We specialize in research and evidence-based practices for bringing about reconciliation to conflict and disharmony between individuals and within organizations and communities. We offer training utilizing the peacemaking circle process, theories of nonviolence, and other restorative practices to bring about peace, harmony, and balance in relationships. We can customize our services to meet your specific needs. We provide social justice-based training, consultation, and coaching. We assist individuals, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community groups, non-profit and governmental agencies, faith-based communities, and others by utilizing restorative and transformative processes for problem-solving, conflict resolution, peace-building, team and community building, strategic planning, leadership development, racial healing, and racial equity analysis. We are an active partner of The Nonviolence Training Hub, an international consortium of trainers.”
Read More The main website promoting “Nonviolent Communicationn (NVC),” a method of effective communication anda dialogue.
Read More “CCW is a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of conscience, opposes military conscription, and serves all conscientious objectors to war. The Center on Conscience & War (CCW) works to extend and defend the rights of conscientious objectors (COs), those who oppose their participation in war, including members of the US military who, following a crisis of conscience, seek discharge as conscientious objectors. CCW also assists others who oppose their participation in war and the preparation for war, including youth required to register with Selective Service; individuals seeking US Citizenship who wish to take the alternative, nonviolent oath; and citizens of other countries facing mandatory military service. CCW opposes conscription, and, in the event of an active military draft, CCW will assist in the placement of conscientious objectors in alternative service programs, as we did in previous draft years. CCW, formerly the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO), founded in 1940, is a founding member of the G.I. Rights Hotline, a national referral and counseling service for military personnel. All services are provided free of charge.”
Read More “The Change Agency is an independent social movement education initiative. We work with community organisers and activists in the Australia Pacific region to help people win social and environmental change. We develop, collect and share tools to help activists and community organisers define and achieve their goals. We research social change to learn what works, and draw on action research to inform our facilitation and educational work. Our major projects currently are the Campaigners Toolkit, the Community Organising Fellowship and the People Power Manual.”
Read More Book: “Health, freedom and social justice cannot be separated. Anyone who loves a neighborhood, a nation or a small planet enough to work for its future, inevitably measures success by its health and well-being. How long do the neighbors live, and with what degree of freedom from the burden of illness? Do they have water, food, shelter and access to medical services? Martin Luther King, who fought and died for political rights, could say that “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” Health is one way to describe our capacity to be alive and to play our role as members of families and neighborhoods, indeed as citizens. But how does one choose life for the community? How do we as leaders make sure that our lives are about life and health?”
Read More Book: “This is a practical, do-it-yourself guide for leaders and facilitators wanting to help organisations to function and to develop in more healthy, human and effective ways as they strive to make their contributions to a more humane society. It has been developed by the Barefoot Collective. The guide, with its supporting website, includes tried and tested concepts, approaches, stories and activities. Its purpose is to help stimulate and enrich the practice of anyone supporting organisations and social movements in their challenges of working, learning, growing and changing to meet the needs of our complex world. Although it is aimed at leaders and facilitators of civil society organisations, we hope it will be useful to anyone interested in fostering healthy human organisation in any sphere of life. The Barefoot Guide is offered free to the world and can be downloaded below. In the Resource Library will you also find additional downloadable exercises, readings, case studies and diagrams to accompany the Barefoot Guide.” Download free copies (multiple languages) or buy hard copies (English only).
Read More Book: “The Barefoot Guide 2 is a free, downloadable and practical resource for leaders, facilitators and practitioners involved in social change who want to improve and enrich their learning processes. But this is not just another book on organisational learning and social change. It is different in many ways. It is different in that it was not written by one person. Neither is it a collection of essays written by different people. This book is the joint effort of a group of development practitioners from across the globe. We have created something that will help us and others to start, and continue, the journey towards learning and social change. We (the writers) are all passionate about learning and have brought our different experience and expertise to the book. It includes topics as diverse as community mobilising and development, adult learning, funding, evaluation, facilitation, and creative writing.” Download free copies (multiple languages) or buy hard copies (English only).
Read More Resource Library: tools and exercises, readings and presentations, stories of change, frameworks, poetry of change, contribute to the library. “We are a open network of social change practitioners and leaders from dozens of countries, on every continent, sharing our creative ideas, stories, approaches and resources about effective social change practice, believing in the value of the real, on-ground-experiences and insights we all have. “
Read MoreBook: “Matt Ball and Bruce Friedrich take the plight of the world’s animals seriously and have dedicated their lives to ending their suffering. The Animal Activist’s Handbook argues that meaning in life is to be found, quite simply, in turning away from the futile pursuit of “more,” and focusing instead on leaving the planet a better place than you found it. The critical component of creating a better world for all is thoughtful, deliberate, and dedicated activism that takes suffering seriously. The authors build a ground-up case for reasoned, impassioned, and joyous activism that makes the most difference possible, and suggest a variety of ways to live a meaningful life through effective and efficient advocacy.”
Read More Book: “‘The Activists’ Handbook’ is a powerful guide to grassroots activism. A priceless resource for everyone ready to make a difference, environmental activist Aidan Ricketts offers a step-by-step handbook for citizens eager to start or get involved in grassroots movements and beyond. Providing all essential practical tools, methods and strategies needed for a successful campaign and extensively discussing legal and ethical issues, this book empowers its readers to effectively promote their cause. Lots of ready-to-use documents and comprehensive information on digital activism and group strategy make this book an essential companion for any campaign. Including case studies from the US, UK, Canada and Australia, this is the ultimate guidebook to participatory democracy.”
Read More “-TESA can collaborate with you to develop an entire educational project from start to finish, no matter how big or small. We can also improve your existing programs, tools, and curricula. We focus on interactive and dialogue-based education. -We can build custom games for your mission, organization, or company. Our expertise lies in merging cause with play. Whether you’re looking for a card game, a board game, or an app-based game – we can bring your vision to life. -In addition to making games and programs for other organizations, we design and produce our own games. You can purchase Rise Up, Co-opoly, Loud & Proud, and our other games directly from us. Let’s play our way to a better world.”
Read More “News, suggestions, conversation and support from voices across the TT community” Topics: Ability, Bullying & Bias, Class, Gender & Sexual Identity, Immigration, Race & Ethnicity, Religion, Rights & Activism, Slavery
Read More “TechSoup Canada is a team of 9 people dedicated to empowering charities, nonprofits and libraries with the effective use of technology. TechSoup Canada is a program of the Centre for Social Innovation, and a member of the TechSoup Global Network. Being a nonprofit ourselves, we understand all too well the challenges facing the Canadian nonprofit sector and we want to help. We can connect you to donated and discounted technologies through our technology donations program and provide valuable learning resources to equip you and your colleagues with technology tips and best practices. We know that our sector is achieving great work and we believe we can have an even greater impact through the appropriate use of technology. Let us help you on your tech journey!”
Read More “The Teach for Life: NVC Educators Institute provides educational professionals with practical experience in a beautiful, nurturing retreat environment. Participants learn hands-on processes for facilitating vibrant and compassionate classrooms – places where students, teachers and parents thrive.”
Read More “Tactical Media emerged when the modest goals of media artists and media activists were transformed into a movement that challenged everyone to produce their own media in support of their own political struggles. This “new media” activism was based on the insight that the long-held distinction between the ‘street’ (reality) and the ‘media’ (representation) could no longer be upheld. On the contrary, the media had come to infuse all of society. To challenge dominant (strategic) structures in society, it was necessary develop new (tactical) means of producing and distributing media. Not a specialised task separate from the social movements, but a key activity around which social movements could coalesce. And of equal importance, the media environment characterised by a broadcast logic of geography was being supplemented with an environment characterised by a many-to-many logic of access…Tactical Media Files is a documentation resource under continuous development. We have begun the task of organising the infinite (and growing) amount of available data, with the aim of making it more easily accessible for new generations of activists and activist makers, scholars and curators to draw on.”
Read MoreBook: “Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives? The primary obstacle is a conflict that’s built into our brains, say Chip and Dan Heath, authors of the critically acclaimed bestseller Made to Stick. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems—the rational mind and the emotional mind—that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort—but if it is overcome, change can come quickly…In a compelling, story-driven narrative, the Heaths bring together decades of counterintuitive research in psychology, sociology, and other fields to shed new light on how we can effect transformative change. Switch shows that successful changes follow a pattern, a pattern you can use to make the changes that matter to you, whether your interest is in changing the world or changing your waistline.”
Read More Information on swarm intelligence in relation crowds and direct action
Read More “In this workshop, psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy will explain the common causes of burnout, frustration, and ineffective activism that impact many animal rights activists. She will discuss how “unsustainable” activism is one of the most serious obstacles to the success of the animal rights movement, and a leading cause of depression and burnout among activists. She will explain specific strategies that activists can take to improve their activism and their lives.”
Read More “Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) is a guide to protecting yourself from electronic surveillance for people all over the world. Some aspects of this guide will be useful to people with very little technical knowledge, while others are aimed at an audience with considerable technical expertise and privacy/security trainers. We believe that everyone’s threat model is unique—from activists in China to journalists in Europe to the LGBTQ community in Uganda. We believe that everyone has something to protect, whether it’s from the government or parents or prying employers, stalkers, data-mining corporations, or an abusive partner.”
Read More Book: “When Daniel Hunter and Jethro Heiko began planning at a kitchen table, they knew that their movement would be outspent by hundreds of millions of dollars. They were up against powerful elected officials, private investigators, hired thugs, and the state supreme court. Even before they started, newspapers concluded the movement had no chance.This riveting David versus Goliath story is a rare first-person narrative, giving unparalled access to the behind-the-scenes of campaigns: the fervent worrying in late-night meetings, yelling matches behind church benches, and last-minute action planning outside judges’ chambers. It’s in the heat of these moments that the nuances of strategy come to life, showing what it takes to overpower billionaires for a cause you believe in. Written by an experienced and unusually self-reflective direct action organizer, this book might be the most enjoyable way you’ve ever empowered yourself to change the world.”
Read MoreBook: “Animal protection is one of the most passionately debated issues of our day. In light of recent legislation and intensified pressure put on activists around the world, those advocates fighting for animal liberation or even animal welfare need a single resource covering the major, and some minor, models of animal activism. Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism brings together the most effective tactics for speaking out for animals and gives voice to activists from around the globe, who explain why their chosen models of activism have been successful — and how others can get involved.”
Read More “Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and nonviolent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice.”
Read MoreBook: “The animal liberation movement is growing in size and strength, but so are the industries that exploit animals. These industries have vastly more resources at their disposal than activists do. Given this tremendous power differential, how can activists hope to compete? The good news is that there is a way to shift the balance of power in favor of the movement. And strategy is the way. In Strategic Action for Animals, Melanie Joy explains how to use strategy to exponentially increase the effectiveness of activism for animals. Drawing on diverse movements and sources, she offers tried and true tactics based on well-established principles and practices. She also explains how to address the most common problems that weaken the movement, such as dissidence among organizations and activists, inefficient campaigns, wasted resources, and high rates of burnout. Whether you are working alone or with a group, whether you are a seasoned activist or new to the movement, Strategic Action for Animals, can help you make the most of your efforts to make the world a better place for animals.”
Read MoreBook: “Stir It Up–written by renowned activist and trainer Rinku Sen–identifies the key priorities and strategies that can help advance the mission of any social change group. This groundbreaking book addresses the unique challenges and opportunities the new global economy poses for activist groups and provides concrete guidance for community organizations of all orientations. Sponsored by the Ms. Foundation, Stir It Up draws on lessons learned from Sen’s groundbreaking work with women’s groups organizing for economic justice. Throughout the book, Sen walks readers through the steps of building and mobilizing a constituency and implementing key strategies that can effect social change. The book is filled with illustrative case studies that highlight best organizing practices in action and each chapter contains tools that can help groups tailor Sen’s model for their own organizational needs. Stir It Up will show your organization how to: -Design and conduct actions that further campaign goals. -Develop effective leaders. -Build strong alliances and networks. -Generate and use solid research. -Design an effective media strategy. -Put in place a plan for internal political education and consciousness-raising. With the information, tools, and suggestions outlined in this book your organization can use your “good idea” to change the world.”
Read More “Statistics for Action (SfA) is a collaboration between TERC and environmental advocacy organizations to help people in communities affected by environmental contamination. SfA can help people: -Understand terms, units, and concepts in environmental data. -Analyze data to help communities strategize. -Assess risks to health from environmental contamination. -Communicate key data to decision-makers and the community.”
Read More “2007 was a landmark year in the movement to stop global warming, a year when Americans came together in communities across the country to voice one powerful message. In April, at 1400 iconic places across the nation, we made history and united around a common call to action. Then in November we came together under 1 Sky to present our leaders with the climate solutions that science and justice demand. Now it’s up to all of us keep this movement moving…The Step It Up website will remain online as a memorial to all the incredible movement activity and success in 2007. Yet the Step It Up blog is coming to a close. In no way does that mean, however, that the movement is closing up shop. On the contrary — the movement, and the blog along with it, is going global. Visit 350.org to check out what’s emerging in the global grassroots movement to fight global warming.”
Read More “The goal of the Association for Global New Thought’s programs in spiritually guided activism is to support concerned and informed citizens in their emerging role as ethically motivated community leaders. Spiritually guided activism is a term pioneered by the Association for Global New Thought and like-minded organizations to describe individuals who are spiritually mature and believe that, from this worldview, we need to take action in our communities to create positive change in this nation and beyond.”
Read More “Spirit in Action envisions a world in which every community is strong, vibrant, heart-centered and working joyfully together across our unique identities to sustain an interdependent system of caring for each other and the earth. The mission of Spirit in Action is to create a positive future grounded in the values of equality, peace and justice for all. We develop effective leaders, support organizational sustainability, build cohesive networks, and catalyze transformative social change. Through our programs, we aspire to build a broad and interconnected social force committed to collectively changing the world by working with communities to Reimagine culture, Resist domination, Reform institutions and Recreate society.”
Read More “Nonprofit Communications Capacity Building Retreat…Communications as a Tool for Deep Change. The SPIN Academy trains advocates for social change to adopt a strategic approach to their communications work. The SPIN Academy is built on the premise that nonprofits working for positive social change must communicate effectively to achieve results. During our nearly 20 years, we’ve trained thousands of nonprofit leaders from all across the country to craft smarter strategies, build stronger brands, and deliver more meaningful messages about their vital work. Through our annual four-day retreat at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma, CA, we offer an accessible and affordable training that includes practical tools, coaching, and network opportunities – so nonprofits can communicate effectively for themselves. Our curriculum is inspired by the best practices in the field and offers the building blocks of strategic communications, including brand development, storytelling, message creation & more.”
Read More Book: “SPIN Works! is an activist-friendly and extremely useful media guidebook produced by the SPIN Project (Strategic Press Information Network). This guidebook is full of media tips, tactics, strategies, and real-world examples, based on the SPIN Project’s work with hundreds of public interest organizations across the nation. It’s designed to give grassroots organizers and people interested in positive social change basic and advanced skills for shaping public opinion on their issues through the press. Written with flair, humor and practicality, the guidebook is divided into five sections: The basics, The message, Moving the message, Reacting to media coverage, and Media and community, plus an extensive resource section, numerous case studies, scores of “how to” check lists, several media “models” and much more.”
Read More “The Southern California Library documents and makes accessible histories of struggles that challenge racism and other systems of oppression so we can all imagine and sustain possibilities for freedom. SCL is a community library and archive located in South Los Angeles. Founded over 50 years ago, the Library holds extensive collections of histories of community resistance in Los Angeles and beyond. Everyone is welcome to use the Library’s resources to research and put to practice the histories of everyday people working to create change.”
Read More “The Great Turning is a global change of heart and ways of living, a more nurturing, appreciative and sustainable relationship with the Web of Life, a shift toward a life-enhancing human presence on Planet Earth. Songs, especially when sung together and in harmony, are a vital tool in the Great Turning and a great enhancement to the interactive group processes developed by Joanna Macy known as the Work That Reconnects. They help us experience in the body our connection to each other and the planet, summon our collective courage, enliven us and inspire us to play our part in creating a life-sustaining society.”
Read More “Where do others stand on your issues? What are your aims with each? Are your tactics consistent with these aims?” (1 page diagram)
Read More Book: “Social ecology addresses the burning question of how to apply ecological understanding to every aspect of our lives. The twenty-seven contributors, all of whom have directly or indirectly contributed to the teaching of social ecology in Australia and beyond, share their experiences in this “coming of age” anthology of keynote articles. These are of particular relevance to educators and students. The book provides a holistic framework for change, based on the interrelationships among the personal, social, environmental, and spiritual. It helps the reader realize how we got where we are and how to better understand sustainable, caring futures. Students from all disciplines can use this valuable resource to help enrich their learning with insights and principles from the field of social ecology. The introduction maps social ecology as an emerging field. Articles about place, story, nature, education, and community illustrate ways to apply our understanding of social ecology, systems theory, transformative learning, holistic education, empathic intelligence, sense of place, shamanic practices, poetic inquiry, archetypal theory, deep ecology, aesthetics, creativity, curriculum design, drama education, cross-cultural learning, and indigenous knowing. Includes inspiring stories of activists and community educators applying the wisdom of social ecology at the leading edge of change, including a chapter by tCA director James Whelan.”
Read More “The Sierra Student Coalition is a network of high school and college-aged young people from across the country working to fight for climate justice and protect the environment. We train, empower, and organize youth to run effective campaigns and develop leaders for the environmental and climate justice movement.”
Read More “Installment 11 of Creating a Sustainable Food Future shows that for people who consume high amounts of meat and dairy, shifting to diets with a greater share of plant-based foods could significantly reduce agriculture’s pressure on the environment. It introduces a protein scorecard ranking foods from lowest (plant-based foods) to highest impact (beef), as well as the Shift Wheel, which harnesses proven marketing and behavior change strategies to help move billions of people to more sustainable diets.” Link to 90 page pdf
Read More “Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) was founded in 1993 by former hunter Steve Hindi. As a “sportsman,” Steve hunted many species of animals both on land and in the sea. He killed for thirty years until the life-shattering day when, en route to shark hunting in the Atlantic Ocean, Steve attended the infamous Hegins pigeon shoot in Pennsylvania. The slaughter of thousands of nonhuman victims, and the involvement of children in the horrific killings, was too much for Steve to tolerate. He vowed to stop pigeon shoots, and went on to dedicate his life to ending the abuse of all animals…SHARK’s number one tool is video footage and photographs! And no one does it quite like SHARK. Using hidden cameras, long-range lens, and even night-vision cameras, SHARK leaves no place for animal abusers to hide. SHARK’s award-winning video footage and photos are supplied to local, national and international media, lawmakers, the general public, courts and other animal advocacy organizations. Instead of simply saying animal cruelty is bad, SHARK gets the documentation and presents it to the world so they can see it and decide for themselves.”
Read More “The Tactics Guides in this toolkit cover basic principles, including advice on how to use social media and mobile phones more safely. The Tool Guides offer step-by-step instructions to help you install, configure and use some essential digital security software and services. The Community Toolkits focus on specific groups of people — sometimes in specific regions — who face significant digital security threats. They include tailored advice on tools and tactics that are relevant to the needs of these particular groups. Security in-a-Box is jointly developed by Front Line Defenders and Tactical Technology Collective, along with a global network of thousands of activists, trainers and digital security experts.”
Read More Book: “In November, 2000, in the middle of the Royal Commission on genetic engineering, the Government learned that a shipment of GE contaminated sweet corn seeds had been planted in three regions of New Zealand. Imposing strict secrecy, Prime Minister Helen Clark took control of the issue and said that the crops must be pulled out. It is a story about the anti-democratic influence of big business, political expediency, abuse of power, manipulation of the news media and misleading a Royal Commission. Above all, it is about a serious breach of trust by the very people who had been saying ‘trust us’ over genetic engineering in New Zealand. This case study provides useful insights for activists who seek to influence government policy.”
Read More “Since 1986, the Seeds of Peace Collective has provided logistical support and trainings to activists struggling on the front lines for social, environmental, and economic justice. We are a small but motivated group of individuals dedicated to furnishing the basics–namely, food, water, and skill sets–essential to the success of direct action campaigns and mass mobilizations. It is our intention to use our skills and equipment, not merely to provide a “service,” but rather to promote individual empowerment and community solidarity by providing an effective and adaptable framework. As a small collective, we cannot, by ourselves, cook for 5,000 people. But by providing kitchen equipment and a certain level of experience, we can work with and facilitate a group of people to cook , deliver, and serve a meal on such a scale. Seeds of Peace is dedicated to feeding, training, and in all ways supporting the practitioners of radical political change. We have a mobile kitchen that can serve thousands, we have the experience and determination to assist in organizing mass mobilizations and direct action campaigns, and we offer a wide variety of trainings, incuding: campaign strategizing, nonviolent direct action- and mass action tactics, community health and safety, guerilla kitchen basics, and action first aid. We also organize Direct Action Camps now and again.”
Read More “The mission of School Mediation Associates is to transform schools into safer, more caring, and more effective institutions. Through our work we: -Encourage young people to become leaders in their schools. -Help students and educators see conflict as an opportunity for personal and institutional growth. -Teach students and educators the skills to resolve conflict non-violently and collaboratively. -Mediate challenging conflicts at educators’ requests. -Disseminate an approach to problem solving that values diversity and respects differences of opinion. -Provide educators with the knowledge, experience and the materials necessary to integrate collaborative conflict resolution processes into their professional practices, their curricula, and their personal lives.”
Read More“Our guide for students who want to promote recycling in their own schools. Start your own recycling program! Did you know that recycling is currently NOT required in schools in the USA nationwide? This means that the responsibility falls into our hands. AFN has therefore developed a guide that provides students with the tools and support to lead the effort to promote recycling in their own schools. With the information included this packet, you will have the building blocks you need to start your own program.” 16 page pdf
Read More “Our Mission: We are committed to inspiring participation and awareness in the preservation of fragile ecosystems by providing opportunities for personal direct action to save the diversity of life on Earth. How We Do It: Since 1988 we have focused our efforts on protecting entire ecosystems and natural communities, not just individual species, to ensure a long term conservation strategy. We raise donations and awareness for these biologically diverse ecosystems through our Adoption Programs, Conservation Meters and Insect Discovery Lab. We partner with schools, universities, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, natural history museums, and science centers worldwide to protect wildlife and nature. We work in collaboration with businesses, and corporations to ensure the conservation of ecosystems for all future generations.”
Read More Training outline
Read More “Goals of the Preps: Quickly orient people to practical street action techniques as well as critical thinking about nonviolent direct action.” 4 hours
Read More “What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away. In this book we are concerned with how to create mass organizations to seize power and give it to the people; to realize the democratic dream of equality, justice, peace, cooperation, equal and full opportunities for education, full and useful employment, health, and the creation of those circumstances in which man can have the chance to live by values that give meaning to life.”
Read MoreBook: “Katya Andresen, a veteran marketer and nonprofit professional, demystifies winning marketing campaigns by reducing them to ten essential rules and provides entertaining examples and simple steps for applying the rules ethically and effectively to good causes of all kinds. The Robin Hood rules steal from the winning formulas for selling socks, cigarettes, and even mattresses, with good advice for appealing to your audiences’ values, not your own; developing a strong, competitive stance; and injecting into every message four key elements that compel people to take notice. Andresen, who is also a former journalist, also reveals the best route to courting her former colleagues in the media and getting your message into their reporting.”
Read More “Founded in 1991 by Dr. Jane Goodall, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is a youth service program for young people of all ages. Our mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment.”
Read More “Roots for Radicals is a distillation of the Industrial Areas Foundation philosophy and its unique approach to community organizing. The IAF is the oldest and largest institution for community organizing in the United States. For sixty years, its mission has been to train people to take responsibility for solving the problems in their own communities and to renew the interest of citizens in public life. The IAF, now headed by the author, Edward T. Chambers, has taken founder Saul Alinsky’s original vision, refined it, and created a sophisticated national network of citizens’ organizations. One of the key activities is its 10-day training sessions for community organizers.”
Read More“When ordinary people band together to gain more control over their life conditions, the first order of business is to organize in pursuit of collective action. This how-to manual presents strategies, tactics, methods, and techniques that community members can use to set their own goals, select issues, campaign for these issues, recruit members, develop leaders, hold effective meetings, conduct research, lobby politicians and legislators, and get the word out to the media. The author brings more than three decades of experience to the task of explaining root principles for developing and exercising collective power; he moves effortlessly from such broad discussions into providing specific tips for effective organizing methods and techniques. Armed with the information in this book, any community can bring about social change through collective action.”
Read More“Resource Pack and Tour Documentation for Trainers and Facilitators” 38 page pdf
Read More “Below is a list of trainings and resources that we’ve been drawing from and using for many years. There are plenty more training and resources out there, but think of this as a list for getting ideas for your work. We drew pretty heavily upon the Midnight Special Law Collective’s resources as well as those of the ubiquitous Lisa Fithian. Both have contributed greatly to our work.” Categories: “Know Your Rights, Direct Action, Tactics Resources, Facilitation Resources, Some Anti-Oppression Resources, Other Trainings, Websites loaded with resources for organizers and trainers “
Read More “River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life. We envision a future with clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers. We believe that everyone should have access to affordable, clean water “
Read More “Rising Tide is an international, all-volunteer, grassroots network of groups and individuals who organize locally, promote community-based solutions to the climate crisis and take direct action to confront the root causes of climate change. Rising Tide was born out of the conviction that corporate-friendly “solutions” to climate change will not save us and that most government efforts are half-measures at best. We organize through decentralized local groups that support one another with shared resources, ideas, fundraising, training and collaborations. Our activities include grassroots community organizing, publishing educational materials, organizing creative direct actions and protests, and holding public education events in order to further the struggle for climate justice.”
Read More A Guide for Educators (16 page pdf)
Read More Book: “Legendary community organizer Saul Alinsky inspired a generation of activists and politicians with Reveille for Radicals, the original handbook for social change. Alinsky writes both practically and philosophically, never wavering from his belief that the American dream can only be achieved by an active democratic citizenship. First published in 1946 and updated in 1969 with a new introduction and afterword, this classic volume is a bold call to action that still resonates today.”
Read More “Imagine: A future world in which we all value people and life and participate in a flow of generosity. A world where sharing our gifts and the mundane tasks of life are both done with wholehearted willingness, free of coercion. A world where attending to everyone’s needs is the organizing principle. Miki Kashtan weaves together vivid social science fiction stories that bring that world to life with compelling nonfiction about how to get there.”
Read More Toolkits, Reports, and Guides. Books, Zines, Journals. Articles, Essays, Statements. Workshops, Trainings, and Curricula. Multi-Media. Interpersonal Harm. Collective Accountability. Trauma and Healing.
Read More “A list of tools and resources for change agents.”
Read More An extensive library of resources on restorative justice. “Mission: To develop and promote restorative justice in criminal justice systems around the world.”
Read More “The Resource Center for Nonviolence, founded in 1976, is a peace and justice organization promoting the practice of nonviolent social change. Located in Santa Cruz, California, we cultivate relationships with allies around California, across the United States, in Latin America, the Middle East and elsewhere. Our primary mission is to support the growth of nonviolent activists. The Center hosts activists and analysts from nonviolent struggles around the world.”
Read More Book: “An all time favourite of activist educators. Nicknamed ‘the Monster Manual’ this trainers’ manual made a big impact in Australian social change movements during the 1970s when it was used by trainers during the Franklin dam blockade. Coover and her co-authors were active members of the Quaker network Movement for a New Society. It remains one of the best sources for trainers working around facilitation, decision making and group maintenance. Out of print, but generally available from second hand through online bookstores.”
Read MoreResource Generation envisions a world in which all communities are powerful, healthy, and living in alignment with the planet.
Read More “Our role : To bring together all the people who wish to express their will for a nuclear exit. By gathering around a Charter, we are putting together a balance of power to achieve concrete results. Our objective : To obtain the abandonment of the nuclear power in France thanks to another energy policy, by promoting in particular the control of the energy, and the development of other means of electrical production.”
Read MoreBook: “Beautifully designed A-Z of the totality of revolutionary politics. This brand new Crimethinc book is the action guide – the direct action guide. From affinity groups to wheatpasting, coalition building, hijacking events, mental health, pie-throwing, shoplifting, stenciling, supporting survivors of domestic violence, surviving a felony trial, torches, and whole bunch more. Incredible design, and lots of graphics give it that hip situ feel. Loads to read, to think about, and to do. At 650 pages, you could always throw the damn book at a suitable target. What are you waiting for?”
Read More Book: “An inspirational inside look at the trailblazing methodology developed by the nonprofit strategy and training organization, smartMeme, this unique exploration provides progressive activists with the tools to get stories into the media, build successful campaigns, and connect with other organizations the world over. Providing resources, theories, hands-on tools, and illuminating case studies for the next generation of activists, this resource shows how culture, media, memes, and narrative intertwine with social-change strategies and offers practical methods to amplify progressive causes in popular culture. A summation of the smartMeme approach, this study in memetics provides practical exercises to augment movements for justice, ecological sanity, and transformative social change.”
Read More “Race Forward’s mission is to build awareness, solutions, and leadership for racial justice by generating transformative ideas, information, and experiences. We define racial justice as the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all and we work to advance racial justice through media, research, and leadership development…Race Forward envisions a vibrant world in which people of all races create, share and enjoy resources and relationships equitably, unleashing individual potential, embracing collective responsibility and generating global prosperity. We strive to be a leading values-driven social justice enterprise where the culture and commitment created by our multi-racial and diverse staff supports individual and organizational excellence and sustainability.”
Read More “Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.”
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