The Peoples Dictionary
Organizing
the process of coordinating and arranging resources, people, or activities in a systematic and purposeful manner to achieve a specific goal or objective. It involves establishing structure, order, and effective methods of operation to maximize efficiency and productivity.
In the context of community or social movements, organizing typically refers to the deliberate efforts to mobilize individuals, groups, or communities around a shared cause or issue. This can include planning and implementing strategies, building networks and alliances, and engaging in collective action to bring about social, political, or cultural change.
Power Building
Power building refers to the intentional and strategic process of empowering individuals, communities, and marginalized groups to exercise their collective power and influence in order to create social, political, and systemic change. It involves developing the capacity, skills, and resources necessary for people to participate actively in decision-making processes, challenge existing power structures, and advocate for their rights and interests.
Building Awareness and Consciousness: Fostering critical awareness among individuals and communities about their own power, rights, and the systemic forces that shape their lives. This includes understanding power dynamics, identifying forms of oppression and privilege, and recognizing the potential for collective action.
Systems Change
Systems change refers to a comprehensive and transformative approach aimed at addressing the root causes of social, economic, and environmental issues by reshaping the underlying systems and structures that perpetuate them. It involves altering the rules, norms, policies, and power dynamics within a system to create sustainable and equitable solutions.
Understanding Interconnectedness: Recognizing that issues and challenges are often interconnected and rooted in complex systems. Systems change takes into account the interdependencies and feedback loops within a system and seeks to understand the underlying dynamics that contribute to the problem.
Shifting Paradigms: Challenging and transforming the prevailing mindsets, beliefs, and assumptions that maintain the status quo. Systems change requires a shift in thinking and adopting new perspectives that acknowledge the need for fundamental changes in how society operates.
Advocacy
Advocacy refers to the active promotion, support, and defense of a cause, idea, or group of individuals. It involves speaking up, influencing decision-makers, and taking action to bring about positive change and address issues of concern. Advocacy aims to raise awareness, shape public opinion, and influence policies and practices in order to advance the rights, interests, and well-being of individuals or communities.
Succession
Succession refers to the process of transferring power, authority, and responsibility from one individual or group to another in an organized and planned manner. It typically occurs in situations where a leader or a key figure steps down, retires, or leaves their position, and a successor is identified and prepared to assume their role.