This event was recorded on
Monday, April 27th. 

Relationship-based organizing:
How to use personal conversations to build leadership and power

Facilitated by: Gabi Kirk and Jesse Koklas (UCD)
Hosted by Wildcat Organizer School


Facilitator Bios:
Jesse is a graduate student in the Community Development Graduate Group at Davis focusing on criminal justice reform and prison abolition. Her experience organizing comes from various political campaigns and 3 years as an organizer with AFSCME international, where she worked with many types of workers to form unions and build power across thecountry.

Gabi is a PhD candidate in Geography with a Designated Emphasis inFeminist Theory and Research at UC Davis. She has learned relationship-based organizing theory and practice through the student movement at the UC since 2009, Palestine solidarity organizing, and environmental justice movements.

Workshop Description:
Many of us have faced this difficult challenge in our organizing: we have so many supporters of COLA, but so few people who are taking on tasks and responsibility. How do we move people to deepen their commitment and build their skills to get more involved? One of the best tools at your disposal to spread leadership is also the simplest. Structured one-on-one organizing conversations (in the lingo, “1:1s”) are a great way to get new folks to build their confidence in taking on bigger roles, or to support existing organizers in feeling appreciated or pivoting to new tasks. In this training, we will overview a brief theory of relationship building as key to base building efforts based on our experiences in social movements and community organizations, then move into the structure and practice of a 1:1 and allow you to practice. Organizers of all skill levels will leave with a plan to start implementing 1:1s in their current organizing—COLA at your campus and beyond.