Action Team Training

July 26/28

Roles and Responsibilities

Action Team Member: Conduct “me-search” individual meetings and house

meetings.Share stories, ideas, and articles on Civic Commons.

Action Team Leader: Internal Responsibility: Coordinate me-search,

compile information from action team members.External Responsibility: Represent congregation in

research meetings and strategy deliberations. Strategy Team Member:

One vote per GCC member Can speak for the congregation Following of 25+ people Thinks about the whole of GCC

Step 1: “Me-Search”What: Individual meetings and house

meetings with members of our congregations connected to the issues

When: NowWhy: To Build Power

Build our constituencyLearn our expertiseLearn our passion

What Makes an Issue Campaign Winnable?

Problem Stream: Issue considered to be a problem by those who have the power to act.

Political Stream: Those who have the power to act believe that the timing for action is right in relation to public sentiment.

Policy Stream: The existence of an implementable policy that fits the scope of the problem.

Step 2: ResearchWhat: Meeting with experts, site visits

to successful programs, sharing best practices and reports on Civic Commons

When: September-OctoberWhy: To Craft a Winning Strategy

Come up with specific, immediate, concrete proposals

Discern what is politically feasibleBased on the passion and power we

identified in the “me-search”

Step 3: Ratification1. Action Teams propose specific

campaigns to the Strategy Team.2. Strategy team leads vetting of the

proposal through the congregations.3. Delegate assembly ratifies action

plan.4. Timing: November 2011- Jan. 2012

Individual MeetingsNOT AN INTERVIEW!Keep it relational and two-wayObjectives:

Learn what they knowTap into passion and commitmentEngage their imaginationBuild your own followingNot: selling your own idea

Individual MeetingsSample questions:

What made you interested in this issue?What have you learned along the way?What specifically would you change?What have you done to work for change?

Next StepsOrganize a house meeting Introduce me to other peoplePost on Civic CommonsStay in touch for future GCC actionsSubmit report to your team captain

House meetingsFacilitator Responsibilities:

Set the tone of respectful listening.Make sure everyone has the opportunity to

speak, and no one person dominates.Let ideas bubble up organically.Do not push your own agenda.Submit report to Action Team captain.

Desired Outcomes:Identify interests, passions, and expertiseBubbling up of interesting ideas that have

traction.Not: deciding on a course of action

House meetingsSample question #1: In two

minutes or less, describe your connection to this issue and why it is so important to you.

Sample question #2: What specifically would you change to make things better?

Next Steps1. Break out by issue area to practice

individual meetings and house meetings

2. Convene at 8:45 pm to evaluate3. Action Team Captains meetings on

August 16/18 to report on me-search, establish vision, prioritize external research.