How do you identify allies, targets, and opponents in community organizing?

1 What are allies, targets, and opponents?

Allies are individuals or groups that share your vision, values, and interests, and are willing to support your cause or campaign. They can provide resources, information, skills, networks, or influence to help you achieve your objectives. Examples of allies are members of your organization, coalition partners, sympathetic media, or influential leaders.

Targets are individuals or groups that have the power to make the decision or change that you want. They are the focus of your pressure tactics, such as petitions, protests, or negotiations. Examples of targets are elected officials, corporate executives, or public authorities.

Opponents are individuals or groups that oppose your vision, values, and interests, and are actively working against your cause or campaign. They can undermine your efforts, spread misinformation, mobilize counter-protests, or lobby against your demands. Examples of opponents are rival organizations, hostile media, or vested interests.

2 How to identify allies, targets, and opponents?

Creating a power map is a popular method for identifying allies, targets, and opponents in community organizing. To do this, you must first define your issue or goal and the desired decision or change. Then, brainstorm a list of relevant actors, such as individuals, organizations, institutions, or groups. Plot these actors on a grid based on their level of power and support for your issue or goal. For further analysis, you can use different shapes, colors, or sizes to indicate other characteristics of the actors. After analyzing the power map, you can identify who your allies, targets, and opponents are. Typically allies are located on the right side of the grid, targets are located on the top side of the grid, and opponents are located on the left side of the grid. Additionally, you can identify potential allies, targets, or opponents that are not yet included on the map but could be influenced or engaged in the future.

3 How to use allies, targets, and opponents in your organizing strategy?

Once you have identified your allies, targets, and opponents, you can use them to inform your organizing strategy and tactics. To make the most of them, build and maintain strong relationships with your allies, coordinate your actions and messages, and seek their input and feedback. Research and understand your targets to tailor your messages and tactics to their interests and motivations. Communicate your demands clearly and respectfully, while providing evidence and solutions. Use a variety of tactics to pressure your targets, such as public actions, media campaigns, or direct engagement. Monitor and anticipate your opponents to counter their arguments and actions. Expose their weaknesses and contradictions, challenge their legitimacy, protect yourself from their attacks, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. By utilizing these strategies in community organizing, you can increase your chances of achieving desired outcomes while creating positive social change in your community.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?