What are the benefits and challenges of using the snowflake model for grassroots organizing?

1 What is the snowflake model?

The snowflake model is a way of organizing people into teams that have a clear structure and roles. The model is inspired by the shape of a snowflake, which has a core and branches that extend from it. The core is the main organizer or leader, who is responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and goals of the campaign. The branches are the team leaders, who report to the core and manage smaller groups of volunteers or activists. Each team leader can have their own sub-teams, creating a network of distributed leadership.

2 How does the snowflake model work?

The snowflake model works by empowering and developing leaders who can recruit and train others. The core organizer identifies potential team leaders who have the skills, motivation, and commitment to lead. The core organizer then mentors and supports the team leaders, giving them autonomy and feedback. The team leaders do the same for their sub-teams, creating a culture of learning and accountability. The snowflake model allows the campaign to grow and adapt, as new leaders emerge and new teams form.

3 What are the benefits of the snowflake model?

The snowflake model has several benefits for grassroots organizing, such as building leadership capacity and diversity, fostering ownership and engagement, and increasing reach and impact. The model encourages people to take on leadership roles and develop their own style and strengths, creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds. It also gives people a sense of responsibility and ownership over their work and goals, creating a sense of belonging among the teams. Moreover, the snowflake model enables the campaign to reach more people and spread its message more effectively, while allowing the teams to act independently and creatively in response to changing situations and opportunities.

4 What are the challenges of the snowflake model?

The snowflake model also presents certain challenges for grassroots organizing, particularly in terms of trust and communication between the core organizer and team leaders, as well as the need for a large investment of time and resources. Additionally, this model poses risks and uncertainties due to the teams' autonomy and flexibility, which may lead to mistakes, failures, or disagreements that can negatively affect the campaign's reputation or outcomes.

5 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?