MSPJC was honored to facilitate a Core Organizer Training for the members of H.O.P.E. (Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality), on July 21-23 at the Memphis Center for Independent Living. H.O.P.E. reached out to the Center and requested that we lead a training for their members that focused on campaign planning, power analysis, fundamentals of community organizing, facilitation and direct action.
The training team got busy designing a curriculum that served the group’s direct needs and met the goals that were given for the training. The training attested to the many benefits of established groups undertaking deep training work together. While we met the technical skill goals that were outlined, H.O.P.E. members met many other important unspoken goals.
Through using our training method of direct education, we were able to draw out important knowledge and experience that the group had within themselves. In the closing circle, some members said they were taking away a new sense of leadership within themselves, whereas prior they didn’t see themselves as leaders within the group. Others said how beneficial it was to follow these new leaders and see a different way of accomplishing goals. Members also said how they felt closer to all the members that were at the training and felt a renewed sense of importance in the work they were doing together.
Instead of individuals participating in our general Core Organizer Training, H.O.P.E. members were able to continue to build relationships with each other and focus directly on the work and goals that H.O.P.E. is working towards. The MSPJC training staff would love to serve your group or organization in a similar way. Please contact allison@midsouthpeace.org to talk about how we can create a training that meets your groups’ needs.