Each student in this course is required to write a paper (10 pages) describing and analyzing an organization or community group. The paper should draw on the class materials (readings, films, and case studies). The paper should explain what you learned about community organizing, especially, the key elements of effective community organizing, and how well the organization met the criteria of effective organizing. Your final paper should aim to be objective and analytical. That means you should view the organization from a variety of angles and perspectives and the person you spoke to there.
Your analysis of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses should be based on the criteria we have discussed and read about in class.
The final paper should include an evaluation of the organization. Topics should include (but aren’t limited to) the following:
● The history of the organization. How it was started and by whom? Why was it started? What are the organization’s missions and goals? How and why has it changed since its beginning?
● How is the organization organized? Who runs the organization? How does the way it is organized reflect its missions and goals? How does how it is funded influence what it does and its ability to advance its mission and/or achieve its organizing goals?
● How does the organization decide what issues to get involved with? What is the group’s overall strategy? How does it decide on strategy and tactics?
● What is the organization’s constituency? How does it determine what its constituency is?
● How does the organization deal with such matters as leadership, recruiting and maintaining members, maintaining morale, fundraising, research, and the media?
● What impact does involvement in the organization have on the people — staff, leaders, members?
● Discuss the overall strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Be sure to clarify what criteria you are using.
The community group that I have chosen for this paper is linked below:
https://www.cb5.org
