An Overview of Everyday Democracy’s Approach to Community Change

Confab Call:

Malik Russell Carolyne Abdullah Rebecca ReyesCommunications Director of Communications

DirectorCommunity Assistance Manager

Today’s Presenters

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Agenda

o Who We Areo How We Worko Questionso Stories of Community Change

• South Bronx, NY

• Horizons Anti-Poverty Programo Tour of Websiteo Closing Questions

Poll

Everyday Democracy

o Involve everyoneo Apply an equity lenso Share knowledge, resources, power &

decision-makingo Connect dialogue & deliberationo Connect deliberative dialogue to social,

political, & policy change

Everyday Democracy’s Approach to Public Engagement

Why Addressing Structural Racism is essential to Building a Strong Democracy

Addressing Racism via an Equity Lens

1. Are groups affected by the process we have established for setting up this discussion?

2. What groups are affected by this particular practice, policy, decision or law?

3. Are the groups affected at the table, represented equitable and possess voice?

4. How will this particular practice, policy decision, or law impact the affected group(s)?

5. How do the affected groups perceive the practice, policy, decision or law?

6. Does this particular practice, policy, decision or law improves, make worse or create unintended consequences for the affected groups?

7. Among the groups affected, are those who make the decisions equitable balanced?

8. Depending on the above answers, what changes need to happen to the particular practice, policy, decision or law to ensure equity?

DialogueAction

Equitable Community

Change

Organizing

Organizing for Dialogue and Equitable Community Change

Action Forum

Individual Change

Institutional and Policy Impact

Collective Action

Set Goals

Facilitator Training

Plan for Action

Recruit Participants and

Facilitators

Kick Off

DialogueOrganize Action

Com

mun

ity C

hang

e

Dialogue

Questions

STORIES OF COMMUNITY CHANGE

South Bronx

http://bit.ly/sbronxstory

“Both the police and the community members were shocked at how effective the process was at breaking down the barriers of communication, opening ears to begin to hear each other … leading to common action towards real change.”

-- Lisa Sharon Harper, former Executive Director of New York Faith & Justice

Horizons Anti-Poverty Program

http://everyday-democracy.org/horizons-anti-poverty-program

“People from all different walks of life – from the banker to the people who work in small town businesses to farm people – all came together and we all worked for a common goal. Many of these people had never met each other before.”

-- Muriel Kruseman, Community leader in Hoffman, Minn.

What we’re learning about community change

o Both the process and content of the work is dynamic and ever-changing

o Allow coalition members to build shared knowledge and understandings esp. when tackling protracted issues like poverty, policing, student opportunity, etc. where structural inequities and deep distrust are present

o Provide evaluative coaching and support if community level change is desired

Moving forward

o Targeted field assistance to communities of low financial resources

o Developing partnerships with national, regional, state and/or local groups

o Revamping online assistance through our updated website– www.everyday-democracy.org

What’s new on the website?

Responsive design – View the website and access our resources on the go with your smart phone or tablet.

Open access to resources – Now you can view, download, and share resources such as discussion guides and handbooks without registering.

Easily search through resources – Sort through resources by issue, type, phase, or date.

Questions