Zooming In On A New Normal

Organizing certainly looks different in 2020. I’ve had the unique experience of getting to know my colleagues virtually. Even though organizing may now seem very different on the surface, I find myself asking – have the fundamentals of organizing really changed?

At its heart, organizing is about connecting with people to inspire action. In the past, this has been fostered at the door, on the phone, in meetings, and at community gatherings. Now, we are leaning on technology to bring us together. Although it may seem that these methods stand in opposition, I have found that the passion and commitment of community members is palpable and contagious even through a screen.

Right now, we are in the process of recruiting and training Community Outreach Coordinator/Organizers [COCO’s]. Many of our COCO’s are very active on social media, but may not know ways to take direct action in their community. We’ve been able to harness the energy and enthusiasm on social media and recruit passionate students (and a few parents!) to become community leaders. These COCO’s have said they are so glad to have an opportunity to work on this election, because it is their future that will be most shaped by it.

From participating in TOLA during a pandemic, we have learned that an organizer should be quick to adapt new and helpful technology, but the heart of our efforts should always be centered around the connection between individuals and their communities and our desire for change.