C h u r c h - b a s e d O r g a n i z i n g
A guide for diocesan social action offices
Prepared by
THE ROUNDTABLE
National association of diocesan social action directors
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common good, delineate human rights in the political and economic spheres, and endorse a "preferential option for the poor."
John Paul II has repeatedly urged Christians to practice the virtue of solidarity. He writes, "solidarity is not a vague feeling of compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people...on the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit our whole selves to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are really responsible for all." Guided by the moral vision of the Scriptures and the Church's social teaching, Catholics have a responsibility to engage in struggles for social and economic justice. When we see poverty, hunger, homelessness and unemployment in our communities, we understand these social ills to be violations of human dignity. Offensive to the will of God, they challenge us to respond. Church-based organizing is one viable way of responding, a way parishes can practice the virtue of solidarity, participate in the struggle for justice, and work for the protection of human dignity and basic human rights. For such reasons the U.S. Catholic Bishops created the Campaign for Human Development (CHD). A national collection taken each year in parishes across the nation makes concrete the Church's theological teaching. The funds enable low-income families and individuals to determine their own issues, needs, goals, strategies and organizational vehicles. CHD funding of church-based organizations provides opportunities for low income parishioners to join with those in other religious traditions. Together they work on their issues of concern and put into practice Church teachings, their own faith, values and beliefs. The Process: Four stagesWhile there may be some differences between networks and specific organizing groups, both seem to use a common process in building church-based organizations. There are usually four distinct stages, each built around the developing of relationships. The "one-to-one visit" is essential to every stage of the organizing process. In one-to-one visits the organizer gets to know each person. Such contacts help in assessing individuals' concerns, interests, and readiness to participate in the joint effort; they also build a relationship between the organizer and the individual. 1. Exploration. This period can last two or three years. It involves assessing both the need for and the will within the community to develop a broad-based (city wide/area wide), ethnically diverse, interfaith, multi-issue organization. |
It requires hundreds of one-to-one visits with local clergypersons, parish and community leaders, diocesan personnel, judicatory heads, and bishops and ordinaries. These sessions include discussions of local problems, the current efforts to address them, and the potential of a larger, more focused organization.
The exploration stage may be initiated by an invitation from a group of local clergy, sometimes called a sponsoring committee, who invite an organizer from a national network to join them. The financial agreements for this stage vary, but may involve a contract to pay the network organizer to do the assessment for a specific number of days per month. In other cases, the exploration period may be initiated by the national network organizer. When a national network considers state-wide strategies, some organizations may want to use the occasion to stake out new turf for their group. To circumvent that possibility, the network itself--rather than local clergy--may opt to initiate the process. During the exploration stage, the leader draws representatives of local religious bodies together to discuss the organizing project, hear from leaders of church-based organizations in other communities, and plan strategies for expanding participation. The final step is a decision by the sponsoring committee to move ahead or to end the process. If the group decides to proceed, they usually sign a contract with the network to move to a second stage of development. 2. Recruitment. Once a contract has been signed, three things begin to happen. First, at training events for representatives from all the local institutions considering involvement, organizers from national networks share their philosophy, method, and hopes for the community. Afterward, church representatives meet with their parish councils and administrative boards to decide whether they will become a part of the effort. The decision to participate entails paying membership dues. The initial cost for a local church ranges from $500 to $5000, the exact amount decided by leaders helping to organize the effort. The recruiting stage may last a year or so, requiring another hundred one-to-one visits from which will emerge local issues of concern. The organizer tries to understand the dynamics of the particular community and helps the organization's leaders think about what might be needed. Second, the group raises funds from denominational sources (local and national CHD funding, for example) for a three- or four-year organizing drive. One group set a $350,000 goal for the initial four-year organizing phase. |
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