Social Action
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What is social action?
• Social action is the practice of taking action –
usually as part of an organized group or community
– to create positive change, generally in the
direction of greater equity and economic and social
justice.
• The Iron Rule of community organizing is never to
do for people what they can do for themselves.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Examples of social action include:
• Organized communication (letters, phone
calls, e-mail) with policy makers and others
in authority.
• Encouraging media stories and reporting.
• Putting together or backing a slate of
candidates for public office.
• Attending, as a group, a public meeting at
which an issue of interest to your
community is being discussed.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
More examples of social action
include:
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Picketing or organizing a strike.
A boycott.
A sit-in.
Street theater.
Demonstrations, rallies and marches.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Why engage in social action?
• It empowers and energizes populations that have
traditionally been powerless, or haven’t understood their
potential for exercising power.
• It unifies communities.
• It demonstrates to the world that the community is a
force to be reckoned with.
• It may be the only thing that will move a stubborn
opponent.
• It motivates people to take other kinds of positive action.
• It can be the beginning of a process that ends in a more
unified larger community.
• It can lead to long-term positive social change.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
When should you engage in social action?
• When negotiation and reason will get you nowhere.
• When time is short.
• When you want to make a dramatic statement that will
focus public attention.
• When you want to energize and empower the community,
and develop community leadership.
• When you want to catch the attention of the public – and
the media – and galvanize public opinion in your favor
about an issue or about your organization or community.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Who should be involved in social
action?
• Planning and implementing a social action strategy
should be inclusive and participatory.
• Involve previously existing community groups.
• Involve individuals affected by the issue(s) at hand.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you engage in social action?
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Get to know the community.
Identify the issues that are likely to lead the community to social action.
Identify and contact key individuals and community groups.
Recruit community members to the effort.
Build a communication system.
Encourage leadership from the community from the beginning.
Create a structure to help the community accomplish its goals.
Develop a strategic plan for social action.
Decide what kinds of actions will work best in your community, and what
kinds of actions the community is and is not willing to take part in.
• Develop contingency plans based on the level to which you’re willing to
escalate.
• Choose the time, place, target(s), and nature of your action based on its
purpose, and on how it fits into your overall strategy.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you engage in social action?
(cont.)
• Provide training and other support necessary to
carry out a successful action before you engage in
it.
• Plan the action in detail, then follow your plan.
• Organize for action.
• Carry out the action.
• Follow up and evaluate.
• Finally, plan your next move based on how what
you just did fits into your overall strategy.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas