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Roots to Power A Manual for Grassroots Organizing
Second Edition
Lee Staples
Foreword by Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven
Book Code: C6997
ISBN: 0-275-96997-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-96997-4
392 pages, Figure
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 12/30/2004
List Price: $107.95 (UK Sterling Price: £59.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Paperback
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
  • Endorsement From Howard Zinn: Lee Staples, by ingeniously gathering and analyzing the experiences of community organizers in a multitude of situations, makes an important contribution to our understanding of social change. His book is more than a theoretical examination; it is a guide to oraganizing. In an era of concentrated global power, he reveals the hidden power of local action.
  • Endorsement From Robert Fisher
    Professor of Social Work and Director,
    Urban and Community Studies,
    University of Connecticut, West Hartford:     A splendid second edition that surpasses the first. Roots to Power reflects the depth and variety of Lee Staples's 35 years of community organizing, combining the organizing wisdom and "how-to" instruction of this veteran organizer and master teacher. Staples's book is always clear and steady, and it never loses sight of the critical importance of power in all organizing. If you want to move people to action-- whether in your neighborhood, cultural group, or agency-- or simply want to understand better the dynamics and practice of grassroots community organizing, Roots to Power is an absolutely invaluable text. I can't wait to use it in with my students.
  • Endorsement From Cheryl Hyde
    Associate Professor
    University of Maryland, School of Social Work
    Chair, Association of Community Organization and Social Administration:     Much to my surprise, Lee Staples has improved on what was already a classic in the field of community organizing. This new edition of Roots to Power is a must read for scholars, practitioners and students. I highly recommend it.
  • Endorsement From Lorraine Gutierrez
    Professor of Social Work:     In this new edition of Roots to Power, Lee Staples provides important tools for activists in the 21st century. This book presents different tactics and techniques for community organizing work and addresses emerging topics, such as the uses of technology. It is an invaluable resource for our field.
Description: When ordinary people band together to gain more control over their life conditions, the first order of business is to organize in pursuit of collective action. This how-to manual presents strategies, tactics, methods, and techniques that community members can use to set their own goals, select issues, campaign for these issues, recruit members, develop leaders, hold effective meetings, conduct research, lobby politicians and legislators, and get the word out to the media. The author brings more than three decades of experience to the task of explaining root principles for developing and exercising collective power; he moves effortlessly from such broad discussions into providing specific tips for effective organizing methods and techniques. Armed with the information in this book, any community can bring about social change through collective action.
Table of Contents:
  • Acknowledgements: With a Lot of Help from My Friends
  • Preface: From Roots to Tips
  • Introduction by Frances Fox Piven
  • "Power to the People": Basic Organizing Philosophy and Goals
  • "Locate & Relate. Motivate and Integrate. Facilitate & Integrate. ACTIVATE!"--The Role of the Organizer
  • "Can't Ya Hear Me Knockin?"--Organizing Models and Methods
  • "Analyze, Strategize and Catalyze"--Issues and Strategy
  • "Moving into Action"--Making and Carrying Out Action Plans
  • "Keeping It All Together"--Organizational Development and Maintenance
  • "Nuts and Bolts, Some Do's and Don'ts"--A Short Collection
  • Appendix
  • References
  • Afterword: After Words, Take Action
  • Index
  • About the Author and Contributors
LC Card Number: 2004017676
LCC Class: HN65
Dewey Class: 361
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