“Prisms” Study Group Events
for Organisers & Campaigners
Join the PRISMS OF THE PEOPLE AUTHORSfor an in-depth group experience. We will take this opportunity to learn deeply as organisers from the incredible depth of research and development that has been conducted for this book.
2 SESSIONS ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS
Nov. 17th: Discussion with the Authors
5 PM to 6:30 PM CET (11 AM to 12:30 PM EST)
Nov. 18th Workshop-Applying Learnings
5 PM to 6:30 PM CET (11 AM to 12:30 PM EST)
A Tectonica Organising Network Event
(Sign up for TON below) This event is free and open to all progressives but we ask the following:- We ask all participants to read the book prior to foster a deeper discussion
- We will ask to submit questions before the event itself, although new questions will be welcome in the event as well
- We ask that you bring two other participants (ideally from the same organisation)
Register your interest below
“Leaders of grassroots organizations are not automatically granted seats at any decision-making table. How do they obtain and hold onto those seats? And how do they use them?... |
These questions are at the heart of the analysis in this book. How do leaders translate collective action into political power—or not? How do they build a community that stands behind them, and then wield the power of that community in political negotiations?”
In 2015 the leaders of LUCHA, Arizona’s progressive social justice organisation born on the back of a massive protest vigil against the State’s draconian anti-immigration policies, faced the challenge of determining their next fight to mobilise their base around. While political elites, allied progressive organisations, and DC-based white political consultants warned against the pragmatism and lack of potential for success of taking on the issue, the organisation’s leader’s decided to move forward with fighting for an increase in the State’s minimum wage. They did so for one clear reason: their constituents had made it clear to them that this was the cause they wanted to undertake. Against all odds, the organisation went on to build power and win the measure. The organising around this campaign served as a basis for a key role they played in electoral mobilisation around the 2020 elections, which ‘turned Arizona blue’ and dislodged Trump from office. This is just one of the major lessons explored in depth in “Prisms of People: Power & Organizing in Twenty-First Century America”, which successfully outlines an essential guiding logic for how we can win progressive power. As the book shows, despite the reality that most efforts to create progressive change do not result in the outcomes they seek, there are decisions which leaders of organisations can make that will enable the building of blocks of success...
The massively important research presented in this book, demonstrates that the strategic decisions behind the efforts of six organisations - outliers for their success in building power - resulted in a central finding that should serve as a new fundamental tenet for anyone organising for change: power built through collective action is able to do so through organisations nurturing a constituent base that are independent, committed, and flexible.
Nov. 17th 5 PM to 7:30 PM CET (11 AM to 12:30 PM EST)
Objective: Discussion with the Authors
- A deeper dive with the authors to answer questions surrounding the book’s contents.
- Discuss implied methods and any information that the authors might have found in their research beyond that presented in book.
Nov. 18th 5 PM to 7:30 PM CET (11 AM to 12:30 PM EST)
Objective: Workshop (lead by Tectonica leadership)
- How to implement the teaching in the book in your movement-building and campaigns.
- Exercises in groups with other participants from your organisation to explore how to put lessons into practice.