From community organising to UFOs

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Thursday, 8 January 2009, 08:17

Did I say I liked this cold weather? Don’t know about you but it really got to me yesterday, fortunately it seems that it is turning and the worst is past us. Anyway, it was another busy day putting into place the tools we are going to need to see off the BNP in the European Elections. Much of the day was spent writing material for our new website which we hope to launch next week. The most exciting element are the new tools that are being provided by Blue State Digital, the campaigning company which is helping us run our online campaign.

I’m also working on a community campaigning training manual which is due out in the Spring. This really is the future. If we are remove the BNP from the communities in which they are organising then we really need to work in those very communities and help local people find positive answers to their own problems.

The father of this form is organising is Saul Alinsky. Here’s a quote for the day: “As an organiser I start from where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be. That we accept the world as it is does not in any sense weaken our desire to change it into what we believe it should be – it is necessary to begin where the world is if we are going to change it to what we think it should be. That means working in the system.”

Great stuff!

Today is more planning. I’m working with Unison to develop an exciting new form of organising that we hope will increase turnout amongst it members and have to write a report on that this morning. This afternoon I’m off to see the guys from Philosophy Football to discuss how we can link social events with activism in the run up to the Elections.

Sky News is talking about a UFO attacking a wind turbine. I think it’s time to get on with the day…