Research about education organizing has proliferated during the past decade, generating an increasingly rich collection of case studies, national surveys, and other analyses. Research for Action (RFA) has been among those engaged in this work and has drawn on its previous efforts - as well as the knowledge built by community organizing groups and…

Points out the importance of coalitions for effectively developing and utilizing political power. Describes two basic steps in coalition building, discusses basic requirements and advantages/disadvantages for coalitions, and defines several types of coalitions. (RH)

Many concerned individuals and community-based organizations want to reduce violence and prevent injuries and deaths from violence among youths in their community. This manual is designed to help. It includes a menu of specific activities for communities to undertake plus a framework for putting those activities effectively into place. The manual…

Poverty and unemployment aren't spread evenly across cities or regions, but rather are concentrated in disinvested urban neighborhoods and rural communities around the country. These communities are home to the nation's most vulnerable children and families. Despite some signs of improvement in economic conditions for families in the United…

This guide enumerates 10 principles for fighting hate: (1) act; (2) unite; (3) support the victims; (4) do your homework; (5) create an alternative; (6) speak up; (7) lobby leaders; (8) look long range; (9) teach tolerance; and (10) dig deeper. The guide also presents a collection of inspiring stories of people who acted, often alone at first, to…

This guide describes Community ChoiceWork, an approach to directly involving citizens in issues that affect them (in this case, HIV/AIDS). It is intended help citizens frame and deliberate on an issue of concern that has no clear solution. After explaining what Community ChoiceWork is, the guide discusses what it has to do with HIV/AIDS. Next, it…

Describes strategies used by the Biotechnology Working Group during their efforts to influence state and local policy concerning biotechnology issues. Strategies address methods for framing the issue, educating self and others, recruiting allies, and developing citizen pressure. (MDH)

This book is intended as a resource for elected officials, municipal staff, and citizens who would like to apply the concept of sustainable development in their communities through an ecosystems approach to human settlements management. The subcomponents of human community life and its impact on the environment are explored. Included are tested,…

This guidance note is designed to assist anyone involved in the Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP) throughout the United Kingdom (UK). The UK Action Plan on Biodiversity (1994) sets out the broad strategy and targets for conserving and enhancing wild species and wild habitats for the next 20 years. This guide provides help on how to implement…

Many communities are rethinking their ideas of mutual support, social economy, and community economic development and are using "Time Dollars" strategies to build on their existing support networks and create a strong and valued social economy. This book provides an introduction to the social capital strategy of Time Dollars and presents…

This guide suggests that public awareness campaigns can be an important part of a community's strategy to fight substance abuse. They can call attention to problems, and they can be a mobilizing force to unite different groups. The numerous public awareness campaigns that other communities use can be models for local efforts. This Action Kit lists…

This book examines the place of the arts in the schools and how to establish that place. The document makes the case for the role of the visual arts, music, dance, drama, architecture, and aesthetics in educating boys and girls while simultaneously using the arts as a vehicle for school renewal. A special focus of the book is the rational for, and…

This bulletin is part of an ongoing project to recognize and build upon the power of youth leadership. The goal is to use communication and action to enable youth to have a positive impact on their communities. This bulletin serves as a training manual on how to conduct a special event. Special events can address a variety of problems ranging from…

Describes how one community (1) realized it had a problem with disaffected and troubled youth; (2) began to learn about the problem; (3) gradually shaped a youth program and then expanded it to reach younger teens; and (4) regained its young people. (SR)

This booklet is intended to be a guide for local communities concerning the six National Education Goals articulated in 1990 and on how to become an "America 2000 Community" in the context of that program. There are four principal criteria for an America 2000 Community: (1) Adopt the six National Education Goals; (2) Develop a…