The most important element of organizing is an effective demand. A good demand is broadly and deeply felt among the people you’re organizing. It’s concrete (specific). A bad demand – something that is vague or that isn’t broadly and deeply felt – sabotages all efforts before the work even starts.

I use this word a lot because a power analysis is important to understanding what it will take to win. We have to understand who has the power to give us what we need – our demands. We have to understand where their power lies, and what vulnerabilities they have. And then we have to design a series of escalating actions (a campaign) to put our demands forward. Our campaign has to take into account the balance of power and how we change it.

Organizing is built on the principle that we must challenge those with power to win our power. This is true because politicians can make change but do not without movement pressure. To win anything a movement must not be conflict-averse towards politicians or those in power.

Our power is in our numbers, not in personalities or individual effort. The more people who are involved, the greater our chances of winning our demands. Organizers find others who are also dedicated to fight for the demand and in doing so build the power of our movement.

People are more likely to join your cause if they feel heard. Great organizers are not just good talkers but also good listeners.

Those in power will only feel pressured to enact change if that pressure is public.