What is community organizing?
It is, fundamentally, an exercise in teaching people their own power, and about creating organizations that will have longevity.
Good organizers are more like tutors than visible leaders (more Merlin than Arthur). They bring people together, help them identify their common problems, and help them become leaders in their communities. The organizations they create are one of the few vehicles that can help people confront society's power brokers. They help communities bridge inequities, and level the playing field in public struggle.
Why does it matter to an attorney?
A person is finite. No matter how skillful, well-intentioned, or committed you are -- you can only be in one place at a time, you only have so many hours in a day, and someday you will be gone.
And no matter how special [you think] you are, you have to admit, numbers matter. Organized people and organized money are the root of power in democracy.
And frankly, community members will often do a better job. We're dealing with their lives, and you would be wise to expect many them understand their problems better than some savior from outside can.
Our role in changing the world -- when we're not filing impact litigation -- should be to protect and foster community organizations as much as possible. That could mean applying for 501c3 status; defending SLAPP lawsuits; or anything else to guard their flanks and give them succor while they march toward future victories.
If you're interested, the best couple books I've read on the subject are:
A Personal Guide to Creating Groups that Can Solve Problems and Change the World
This is an excellent book on the nuts-and-bolts of community organizing.
The Story of ACORN, America's Most Controversial Antipoverty Community Organizing Group
This books offers a very compelling vision of the possibilities community organizing offers. ACORN had some pretty remarkable victories.
