What are the different levels of volunteer engagement in Community Organizing?

Being a supporter or what I call an advocate of an organization and community can be come value able than a monitory donation. I have been involved with many nonprofit and sometimes been part of the decision making process to decide what organizations receive monitory support. What I’ve come to learn is that organizations that have the voice of a supporter advocating from them in all social groups are the organizations that benefit the most. Having supporters that believe in the organization are worth more than donations.

Supporters are the backbone of your growth. Through word of mouth, they grow your community and increase the speed of it's growth. Each supporter has their own interpretations of your community brand, aim to leave a positive first and last impression.

Considero que los niveles de participación comunitaria dependen específicamente de cada organización y de sus singularidades. A grandes rasgos el nivel de compromiso nos permite medir el impacto y las contribuciones pero esto puede ir mutando. También considero que las características de la organización y su contexto son clave. Es de suma importancia comprender que no solo los miembros activos colaboran o impactan en la organización, sino que también lo hacen los simpatizantes, las otras organizaciones aliadas con las cuales tejemos redes. La motivación es un factor clave a tener en cuenta en todos ellos. Cada participante desde su lugar contribuye y no se pueden pensar de manera aislada, sino analizar las interacciones entre ellos.

Supporters come in various forms. Some donate funds and may or may not want acknowledgement. Others provider access to needed services - IT, food, transportations, computers, social media, etc.

Wesentliche Eckpfeiler für ein ehrenamtliches Community Organizing mit nachhaltigem Impact! ???? Basisengagement: Direkter Austausch, Zuh?ren, Identifizieren lokaler Bedürfnisse. Mobilisierung: Aktivierung von Gemeinschaftsmitgliedern für Ziele und kollektive Aktionen. Organisationsentwicklung: Aufbau nachhaltiger Strukturen, F?rderung von Führungskr?ften, effektive Kommunikation. Politische Advocacy: Engagement auf politischer Ebene für Anliegen der Gemeinschaft. Bildung und Bewusstseinsbildung: Informieren über Rechte, Verst?ndnis für komplexe Probleme, St?rkung der Gemeinschaft. Gemeinsam bilden diese Ebenen eine kraftvolle Grundlage für positive und nachhaltige Ver?nderungen! ???? #CommunityOrganizing #Ehrenamt #PositiveVer?nderung

En este nivel me gusta hablar de "miembros con participación activa actualmente" y no meramente de "miembros", ya que el resto de participantes también pertenecen a la organización ya que impactan en ésta de manera considerable. Coincido que quienes participan de manera activa y con mayor compromiso seguramente tendrán mayor acceso a información de la organización y experiencias lo cual requiere tener en cuenta otras consideraciones como la incidencia de la formación.

Unfortunately within the context of Colombia regarding donor requirements, it is not easy to have a voluntary memembership scheme. Some times you need a contractual system in order to safeguarding the organization. I do agree that this scheme can work wonderfully to really spread the strategy and philosophy of the programme or/and organization

Absolutely, members are a more active and committed level of volunteer engagement in community organizing. Members play a crucial role in the success of community organizing groups by providing sustained support, engaging in ongoing activities, and contributing to the group's decision-making processes. Their involvement strengthens the group's foundation, broadens its reach, and enhances its ability to achieve its goals. While supporters are vital in generating initial momentum and raising awareness, members deepen the impact of community organizing efforts. They bring their skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table, fostering a more dynamic and collaborative environment.

? Members lead specific campaigns and projects, serving as team captains or committee chairs. They recruit and train new volunteers to participate in the activities they organize. ? Members play an advocacy role as organizational representatives, speaking publicly, petitioning officials, and working with media to advance the agenda. ? Members help set strategy in collaboration with staff and senior leaders, identifying high-impact campaign issues and constituencies. They guide less experienced volunteers. ? Members serve on the board of directors or advisory committees. In this governance role, they provide strategic direction, budget/staffing input, and help build community partnerships and relationships.

Supporters are the force behind any organisation. They are contributing by being the echoing voice of their beliefs and the organisation's actions.

Hay distintas conceptualizaciones y categorías de liderazgo. No es lo mismo un líder autoritario que un líder asertivo. Cada estilo de liderazgo impacta significativamente en la organización y es necesario evaluar qué tipo de liderazgo hay en la organización como así también no confundir el rol de organizador o coordinador con el del líder.

Leadership within the communities I have worked with is paramount. There are people who understand their position among their territory and so feel entitled to carry the responsibility of represent the voice and will of the people. In the majority of ocassions I have witnessed that even though they have not received training or academic education, they intuitively have a colective approach instead of individual or egotistical drive.

Community organizing groups are not mere gatherings of individuals; they are catalysts for change, and leaders are the driving force behind these transformative movements. They are the ones who envision the future, strategize the path forward, and galvanize the community to action. Their expertise and passion are the cornerstones of the group's success. Leaders go beyond mere participation; they immerse themselves in the group's mission, dedicating their time, energy, and skills to making a tangible difference. They are the ones who organize events, facilitate discussions, conduct research, communicate with the media, and negotiate with stakeholders. They are the bridge between the group's vision and the community's needs.

?Leaders initiate and guide major campaigns and policy initiatives in collaboration with staff and liaise with public officials on an ongoing basis. ?They serve as the public face of the organization, spearheading advocacy efforts, acting as organizational spokespeople, and representing the group in high-level negotiations or community partnerships. ?They recruit, train and manage core teams of deeply committed volunteers to drive campaigns and special projects. They model deep member engagement for newer volunteers and members. ?They occupy key governance roles on the board of directors, as board chair or committee chairs. They take ultimate legal, fiscal and ethical responsibility for the organization as it works to achieve its mission.

1/2 D'après mon expérience, enrichie par les perspectives partagées sur le blog Komuno.club, les leaders, ou ambassadeurs, jouent un r?le pivot dans l'engagement et la mobilisation communautaire. Ce sont des volontaires qui, grace à leur niveau avancé de compétences et d'influence, endossent des responsabilités spécifiques au sein de l'organisation, telles que l'organisation d'événements, l'animation de réunions, ou la communication externe. Ayant moi-même guidé le développement de leaders au sein de diverses initiatives, je peux témoigner de leur importance vitale. Ils apportent non seulement une expertise et une confiance qui inspirent les autres membres, mais aussi un engagement profond envers la vision et les valeurs de l'organisation.

La disposición a aprender en un contexto cambiante es algo que suele verse en diferentes organizaciones comunitarias, es una habilidad que impacta significativamente y va a marcar la posibilidad de que la organización amplíe sus oportunidades y mejore continuamente. Es necesario capacitarse continuamente y evaluar el impacto de cada acción comunitaria analizando con perspectiva de interseccionalidad.

In the world of community organizing, organizers often go unnoticed and underappreciated. They are the unseen architects of change, the behind-the-scenes strategists who tirelessly work to mobilize communities and bring about positive social transformation. While leaders and activists receive the lion's share of attention, it is the organizers who lay the foundation for success, igniting the spark of collective action and empowering individuals to become agents of change. Without the dedicated work of organizers, community organizing would be a mere aspiration, a vision without a path to realization. They are the driving force behind social change, the ones who turn dreams into reality!

En un espacio más horizontal y para liberar un poco de las relaciones de poder y dominación que introduce una visión jerárquica, se suele usar el termino dinamizador o dinamizadora. Las personas que dinamizan un espacio se implican con una causa a largo plazo. Esto les da la credibilidad para que el resto de la comunidad confíe en su labor. A la vez, suelen ser mentores del nuevo voluntariado.

Organizers must have a myriad of skill sets and should be well versed in human perception. Empathy and caring are essentials as the organizer is responsible for the cultural climate of the group. They are multi-taskers and able to reach out to any leader or volunteer and offer a helping hand. Their role as mentor cannot be overstated.

An effective community organizing group thrives on a diversity of engagement levels, as each tier contributes valuable skills and perspectives.

En primer lugar considero que la organización debe poder mostrar cuáles son los niveles de participación y cuáles son los objetivos y metas a los que aspira. Es fundamental que las personas puedan conocer las diferentes formas de participar y cuál es el alcance de estas participaciones. Por ejemplo conocer si recibirá algún tipo de capacitación o poder evaluar si los valores e intereses de la organización coinciden con los suyos. Conocer las expectativas de los voluntarios y ser honestos con los que la organización puede ofrecer.

Engagement strategies varied: social media for supporters, interactive sessions for members, leadership training for leaders, and strategic planning for organizers. Key to success was the ladder and funnel of engagement models, guiding volunteers from initial awareness to deep involvement and leadership, aligning strategies with their commitment levels. These adaptable frameworks are essential for effective volunteer management in community organizing.

From my perspective, engaging different levels of volunteers requires a deep understanding of human motivations and a willingness to adapt one's approach to suit individual needs. In my own interactions with volunteers, I have found that personalization and authenticity go a long way. Engaging volunteers is not just about tasks and responsibilities; it is about creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Volunteers come together with a common desire to make a difference, and organizers play a crucial role in nurturing that spirit. By fostering a welcoming and supportive environment, organizers can empower volunteers to become catalysts for change.

En tant que coordinateur d'une communauté d'experts, j'ai appris l'importance de reconna?tre et de répondre aux différents niveaux d'engagement. Avec les supporters, je mets l'accent sur des communications simples qui illustrent l'impact de leur soutien. Pour les membres, je crée des occasions de participation et je veille à ce qu'ils se sentent valorisés et écoutés. Les leaders bénéficient de défis adaptés à leurs compétences avec un accompagnement pour leur croissance. Quant aux autres organisateurs, je les implique dans la stratégie et les décisions clés, renfor?ant ainsi leur r?le central. Cette approche personnalisée a renforcé l'engagement à tous les niveaux, enrichissant notre mission collective

Glad to read ideas and concepts from the previous century that ignores lessons learned around organizing. Alinsky represented empowerment of those outside of power. Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez brought people together in empowerment working toward equity and respect.

These are wonderful pieces there snd appreciate reading them. In our case there are volunteers who play several roles as explained above and so conaidering hiring them to leadership roles already.