Things to Remember: Tips for Activism and Organizing

Here’s a list of things I like to keep in mind (and keep reminding myself of) when I am organizing. I hope that my fellow activists and organizers (especially the stressed out ones) will find these tips useful as well.

• When people disagree with you, don’t take it personally, even if they are targeting you in a personal way (AKA, Don’t let the assholes get you down).

• When it gets to be too much, take a break.

• When you feel like taking a break, take a break.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having a team makes the organizing experience more powerful and less stressful!

• Don’t bite off more than you can chew. This is really hard for some people, including myself. But really. Share tasks and duties.

• Don’t be domineering. This is not your own, personal cause, even if you might relate to it in a really personal, special way. Other people relate to it and care about it as much as you do, so let them take a stab at it.

• Remember that you can’t please everybody. You win some, you lose some.

• Don’t be offended when you aren’t given credit. Remember the real reason why you’re doing it in the first place (because it probably has nothing to do with credz, and all to do with the fact that you give a shit about [insert cause here]).

• Use other events/organizations as templates. It’s likely that someone has already done something very similar to what you’re trying to do. Use this to your advantage. No, I don’t mean copy them, but try contacting its organizers and engaging in some kind of helpful dialogue about what works and what doesn’t work.
• Accept feedback from participants. This might be redundant, but it’s important. They’re the ones you’re organizing for. Their opinions matter.

Originally posted May 26, 2011 on tumblr.