ERIC ED373191: Community Organizing: Strategies for Recruitment and Retention.

40 Pages·1993·0.62 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
CE 067 014
ED 373 191
Reyes, Reva Crawford
AUTHOR
Community Organizing: Strategies for Recruitment and
TITLE
Retention.
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tahlequah.
INSTITUTION
National Inst. for Literacy, Washington, DC.
SPONS AGENCY
PUB DATE
93
X257A20461
CONTRACT
40p.; For related documents, see CE 067 013-016.
NOTE
Non-Classroom Use (05f,
PUB TYPE
Guides
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Adult Basic Education; *Adult Programs; *American
DESCRIPTORS
American Indians; *Cherokee
Indian Educatio.
(Tribe); Citizel. 'articipation; *Community Action;
Community Organizations; Individualized Instruction;
*School Holding Power; *Student Recruitment
Oklahoma
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This book summarizes the role of community organizing
principles in a successful adult education program serving Native
American adults. Gleaned from workshops conducted by two Cherokees
who have been highly successful in their own community organizing
efforts, from ongoing staff discussion, and from years of practical
experiences of program staff, the book relates key factors involved
in community organizing. The guide discusses the principles of
community organizing using the following aphorisms: familiarity
breeds success, two or more negatives make a positive, the solution
is present in every problem, a chicken in every pot but no filet
mignon, talk Indian to me, love me--love my dog, my leader has a wart
on her nose, love my dog--reward me, accentuate the positive,
dependability counts, and look Ma, no hands! The following aspects of
the personality of the community organizer/adult educator are listed:
flexibility, acceptance, relaxing, commitment, happy, gentle, and
dependable. The next section focuses on translating each of the
principles of community organizing into adult education practices.
'The next section lists successful adult education practices based on
organizing principles by these program functions: recruitment, class
organization, and methodology. Other contents include a directory of
services and referrals with telephone numbers and a map and names of
the nine representative districts of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
(Y LB)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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COVER DESIGN
tribal
a Cherokee
designed by Charles Vann,
The cover was
the
study and interpret
Mr. Vann continues to
elder and artist.
design is as
His explanation of the
drawings.
old ways through his
follows.
syliabary) is the Cherokee
(written in Cherokee
"Ga-du-gi"
"to do one
It translates
Organizing.
equivalent of Community
a group."
particular thing together or as
togetherness.
of the page represents
The emblem at the top
the fish depicts doing
fighting the bad while
The Eagle represents
tribe as
activities undertaken by the
the two types of
the good
a whole.
to a
to find a solution
when the Cherokee had
In the old days
in
to participate
call everyone together
problem, leaders would
the problem
given a role in
Even children were
discussion.
leader would
proposed, a designated
When a solution was
solving.
If the
in the air.
holding a knife or arrow
make a decision by
but if
the proposed plan,
indicated agreement with
handle was up it
inappropriate.
the reasoning was bad or
it was pointed down
to
to prepare feasts
gatherings might be called
These major
into small bands to
for breaking up
celebrate good hunting, or
large
called this
The Cherokees
during war.
attack enemies
tight, close tribe
Cherokees were once a very
gathering Ga-du-gi.
could be again.
And I believe they
of people.
Reva Crawford Reyes
Author/Editor
Dana Teague
Layout Design
Manager/Adult Education
Victor Vance, Program
Contributors
Landra Alberty, Teacher
Gary Girty, Teacher
Teacher
Beverly Sizemore,
Secretary/Crafts Instructor
Ina Romero,
the finest
Charlie Soap, two of
Bertha Alsenay and
Special Credit:
providing
donated much time in
in the country,
community organizers
Tasks done
organizing.
Indian community
workshops to staff on
raised
Charlie have
Bertha and
art.
extremely well become
which
great beauty
a thing of
art
community organizing to an
the
and the spirit of
the confidence
the faces,
is reflected in
them
Cherokee Nation owes
they have worked.
communities in which
much, as do we.
Nation, 1993
to Cherokee
All rights reserved
g
4
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
I
2
PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
3 6
* Familiarity Breeds Success
* Two or More Negatives Make a Positive
* The Solution is Present in Every Problem
Mignon
* A Chicken in Every Pot but no Filet
* Talk Indian to Me
Love My Dog
* Love Me:
* My Leader Has a Wart on
Nose
Her
Reward Me
* Love My Dog:
* Accentuate the Positive
* Dependability Counts
* Look Ma, No Hands!
THE PERSONALITY OF THE COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER/ADULT EDUCATION
11
6
* Flexibility
* Acceptance
* Relaxing
* Commitment
* Happy
* Gentle
* Dependable
TRANSLATING ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES INTO
- 27
ADULT EDUCATION PRACTICE
.11_
* Familiarity Breeds Success
a Positive
* Two or More Negatives Make
Every Problem
* The Solution is Present in
no Filet Mignon
* A Chicken in Every Pot but
* Talk Indian to Me
* Newsletter Articles
Love My Dog
* Love Me:
* Accentuate the Positive
* Dependability Counts
* Look Ma, No Hands!
SUCCESSFUL ADULT EDUCATION PRACTICES BASED ON ORGANIZING
28 - 29
PRINCIPLES BY PROGRAM FUNCTION
* Recruitment
* Class Organization
* Methodology
DIRECTORY OF SERVICES AND REFERRALS
30
33
34
35
NINE REPRESENTATIVE ,)ISTRICTS
INTRODUCTION
I Context
instruction) has
Adult Education (adult literacy and GED level
Community Development
long been recognized in the literature as a
community organizing is key to community
turn,
In
activity.
development.
our definition
is
in
Community Development
Very simply,
its
to strengthen the community and benefit
working together
The
all the community.
members within a process which is owned by
together to establish common goals and
means for pulling people
The byproducts of the
work on them is community organizing.
process include:
1) development of new leadership
goals
2) improved relationships through common
' individuals
3) strengthened families -
4) material benefits or products.
service and education
context all
social
this
Taken
in
Can be and should be.
development ones.
programs can be community
manipulate the plethora of
Unfortunately, it is often difficult to
and bureaucracies to insure
federal, state and other regulations
Boxes,
retain ownership/control.
that communities and individuals
organizational structure and individual
accounting procedures,
overwhelm or strangle the
struggles are all road blocks which can
community development process.
putting together this manual has
The goal in researching and
plied in community
identify the skills and practices
been to
1
skills and
organizing/community development and translate those
The results,
of ABE/GED programs.
into operation
practices
guide for future adult
contained herein, are intended as a training
services
Although the information on available
education staff.
within the confines of the
and organizing practices were gathered
have been identified to
Cherokee Nation, the broader applications
transferred to other tribes and urban
allow the information to be
centers.
rationale for doing things a little
It is also hoped that the
organizations in looking at their
differently may assist tribes and
services which are needed to be
structure and response from support
truly effective.
education and preschools
Within the domain of Education, adult
amenable to community empowerment.
have been the programs most
are not as over-
true largely because these programs
This
is
Adult
and higher education.
regulated as are elementary, secondary
and regulation to state adopted
education is not limited by law
which limit
highly defined physical plants
texts nor confined to
chosen to regulate
Although a number of states have
activities.
of instruction in ABE/GED to
teaching credentials and other aspects
other funding sources
limiting,
narrow niches which are very
which meets
creative program development
provide broad latitude for
of Indian Adult Education
That is particularly true
local needs.
of
Education in the U.S. Department
through the Office of Indian
Affairs funding.
Education and Bureau of Indian.
2
7
Principles of Community Organizing
II
must be
Although community organizing by its very nature
change
not
which
do
certain principles
are
there
flexible,
in which ,work is being
irrespective of issues or the community
done.
"Familiarity Breeds Success"
the community organizer
for
the old saying,
Contrary to
Organizing can not be
familiarity breeds success not contempt.
It is necessary for the
a distance.
done from an office at
community and get to know
community organizer to go into the
familiarity means attendance at
In Indian communities,
people.
community -- softball games, hog
those events which belong to the
there is success.
Trust has to be built before
fries, church.
Make a Positive"
"Two or More Negatives
have no need to organize.
Individuals whose lives are perfect
community organizing.
for
basis
the
as
exist
must
Problems
That
worked on must be self perceived.
Further, problems which are
community must identify the
the individuals in the
is to say,
the outside is
What looks like a problem from
problems themselves.
People will
within.
perceived as a problem from
not necessarily
unless they meet
not self perceived
not work on issues that are
needs.
secondary or other unspoken
There is more
into groups.
Negative energy must be brought
negative
First, people who may be
rule.
than one meaning to this
3
8
into the process.
Second,
about the process need to be brought
solve a negatively affecting
everyone must get a need met or
problem.
Problem"
"The Solution is Present in Every
time discussing
them,
spending
By defining problems and
solutions within
they have
that
find
and groups
individuals
the problem (self
Just as people must be invested in
themselves.
they must be vested in the
likewise,
perception of problem),
The
available.
Every individual and group has resources
solution.
who helps bring together people
community organizer is a networker
with resources.
but no Filet Mignon"
"A Chicken in Every Pot
It is a mistake to lead people to
Goals must be realistic.
Don't
than is reasonable.
believe that more may be accomplished
raise false hopes.
"Talk Indian To Me"
important skill
Speaking the native language is, of course, an
organizer to
It is difficult for an
for the community organizer.
when talking in
provide the level of comfort and support necessary
for participants.
is not as familiar or fluent
a language which
language.
than just speaking a Native
Speak Indian To Me means more
to
communications style which is comfortable
It also means using a
4
Bureaucratese has no place in communicating at the
participants.
speaking,
Familiar slang, gestures, speed of.
community level.
all are important in communicating effectively.
voice tone
involvement.
Confusion and misunderstanding can sabotage
Love My Dog"
"Love Me:
While some
inclusiveness.
The process of organizing is one of
leadership roles, it is
individuals naturally develop into stronger
can
who
decide
organizer
to
community
the
of
job
not
the
inclusiveness.
participate, but rather to try to encourage
Nose"
"My Leader Has a War;: on Her
President of the United
Leaders don't always look like the
people who are standing
They are not necessarily out front
States.
requires
Leadersh;_, is an evolving process which
up and orating.
Getting people
different tasks.
different kinds of people for
trusted and known, but not
involved requires individuals who are
kinds
As groups progress, different
necessarily in the limelight.
A good
fill leadership needs.
and styles of leaders emerge to
leadership to constantly emerge.
organizing process allows for new
"Love My Dog: Reward Me"
Give praise and recognition to
Everyone needs recognition.
with
Ongoing praise can be supplemented
everyone in the process.
designated times.
formal recognition which takes place at
5
i0