5 elements of successful action groups

If you've reached the action phase, congrats! Give yourself a pat on the back and recognize how much great work you've done - no doubt you've already put in a lot of time and effort to get this far. Now that you're ready for the next step, let's look at some key elements for turning action ideas into real change:

1. Organizational or institutional oversight

To increase the likelihood of success, action groups need to remain connected to the larger organizing coalition. Sometimes, a group within the organizing coalition takes responsibility for working with action teams. Or an action team may connect with an organization with a mission and efforts related to their action idea.

2. Leadership

Action Team leaders play two roles: convening the group and facilitating the group. It is best to keep these roles separate -- a convener connected to the issue or institution you are trying to impact and a neutral facilitator to help the group process move along.

For example, let's say participants in a race dialogue identify racial tensions and discrimination in public schools. An action team formed to address this and is co-led by an African American school counselor and a white parent familiar with group process facilitation.

3. Administrative support

Whether it's one person dedicated to this task or the responsibility is shared among group members, someone needs to take minutes, send meeting reminders, and stay in touch with the organizers. Make sure there are clear expectations and deadlines for these tasks.

Here's an example of how the administrative support could be handled: A youth organization applies for and receives a VISTA volunteer to provide on-going administrative support to four action teams that formed after a community dialogue.

4. Resources

Keep an eye out for new grants, networking and partnership opportunities, and ways to recruit volunteers. Ask steering group members for their suggestions to get you on the right track.

5. Tell the story

Document and share your progress with your community. Take pictures and videos to help bring your story to life. Share your insights and progress through press coverage, a website, a blog, newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Make sure you’re tapping into media that reaches many different sectors of the community.

For example, let's say dialogues addressing school reform results in four action teams. They have a website, e-newsletter, and Facebook page to keep the community updated on their progress. Several months after the Action Forum, the organizers host a potluck for the community to hear updates from each team. Funders and local media are invited.