(http://newsite NULL.kansasgrassroots NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pyrrhus2 NULL.png)We organizing nerds at Kansas Grassroots Consulting like nothing more than a good campaign. We’ve been involved in many different campaigns that have run the gamut on size, complexity, and focus. All the good campaigns were able keep their eyes on the prize and stay focused on the primary objectives, but the truly great campaigns not only won; they ran in a way that grew their organizations and set themselves up for even bigger future victories.
No Pyrrhic Victories
It’s common for not-for-profits to underfund campaigns because the organizations themselves are underfunded. All not-for-profit leaders are experts at penny pinching to make limited resources go farther, but “giving it your all” should never mean “going for broke.” An organization that overworks volunteers, diverts resources from other critical programs, or otherwise pursues its goals in an unsustainable manner will soon find itself simply unable to push any more. To recap: Policy victories aren’t worthwhile if they happen at the expense of your organization.
The Second Objective
At KGC we advocate sustainable organizing. Contrary to appearances, this does not mean organizing for energy conservation or ecological preservation, (though it can). Rather, sustainable organizing emphasizes benefit to your organization alongside winning concrete policy victories. We encourage organizations to think about how they will “make a profit” through their advocacy campaigns, (for more on the concept of “making a profit” on campaigns, please refer to the Midwest Academy’s (http://www NULL.midwestacademy NULL.com/) excellent resources (http://www NULL.midwestacademy NULL.com/midwest-academy-manual)). Examples of questions for the organization to ask as it undertakes initial strategic planning include “How many affiliates will we gain?” “How many local task forces will we build?” “How many press mentions do we want to acquire?” and “How much fundraising do we want to accomplish?” In other words, any time you launch a campaign to achieve a specific objective take time to plan out a few secondary objectives that focus on the ongoing sustainable health of the organization. A campaign that has a stated goal of “Change this specific policy by building 5 new relationships with decision makers, recruiting 75 additional grassroots advocates, and raising $10,000 to support the campaign” is going to be run much more sustainably than a campaign with a goal of “Change this specific policy”.
Another aspect of organization-building that isn’t often considered in the process of planning advocacy campaigns is a discussion of solving internal problems. These internal problems can be within your organization, coalition or constituent organizations and, though the process involved in identifying these problems can be uncomfortable, solving them is essential for lasting organizational success.
As enthusiastic grassroots organizers, we understand the impulse to take on new, exciting projects in a hurry. However, we encourage our clients and partners to carefully consider organizational benefit before, during and after winning their next issue campaign. It’s crucial to remember that effective organizers build strong organizations first and win campaigns second.
What are ways that you’ve built your organization through a campaign? Please share in the comments section below.
