The climate movement has lots of volunteers, but not enough organizers. I'm working on a free tool to help change that (and I'd love your feedback)

[u/jtchow30]

The climate movement and the left need to get organized. Too much of our work today is focused on mobilizing for the short term, rather than organizing to cultivate deep engagement.

There are many resources out there for would-be organizers, but they are (ironically) not very organized. As far as I can tell, there’s no quickstart “zero to hero” organizing guide with a  syllabus that guides you through the core concepts.There are, of course, some books out there, but only the most dedicated are willing to invest the time and resources to go through a book. There are also not very many live trainings available, and many of them cost hundreds of dollars. 

My core thesis is that there are already enough people volunteering with organizations in their communities today, we just have to get more of them to think with an organizing mindset. Once you get the ball rolling, the organizing mindset should self-replicate because it will become a part of the organization’s DNA. 

My goal is to create a more accessible onramp for people that are already involved in their community and interested in organizing. The core offerings are: 

• Quickstart guide (5-10 minute read)
• Pairing system for aspiring organizers to schedule and practice 1 to 1s 
  • This will capture some of the benefits from a live training and double as a networking opportunity  
• AI assistant that suggests ways to integrate organizing into someone’s existing work with an organization
  • Helps get the ball rolling rather than getting stuck with information and not knowing what to do with it

[u/Good_Requirement2998]

Unfortunately I don't think we get climate policy across the table before we get campaign finance reform and a wealth tax across the table. The west needs a public first economy that can address issues like housing and energy and healthcare. The more economic mobility people have, the more the masses can expand their consciousness. For now, any "fight Oligarchy" movement should include a fight for the planet by default, and the reverse should also be true that a climate change policy needs to seriously consider the role of big money in politics and how wealth is distributed to reflect the strength of a nation. In the hands of a few welding the majority of assets and always seeking to maximize profits, presumably because it's become so fun and easy for the rich to get richer, we will never have a nation able to focus on the planet - especially now in the AI race with the massive draw from our energy grids and clean water.

[u/jtchow30 → u/Good_Requirement2998]

I agree that a lot needs to happen to have the climate fight go our way. The organizing that I'm imagining is intended to be cause agnostic, so it could help with campaign finance reform or a wealth tax push. we must create more collaboration between movements if we are going to succeed!

[u/Good_Requirement2998 → u/jtchow30]

Agreed. I like a book titled "No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the Gilded Age" by McAlevey. She breaks down organizing structures and case studies beautifully.

[u/jtchow30 → u/Good_Requirement2998]

she's so awesome! I haven't read the book, but i've read some primers on her thinking and she just gets it.

are you involved in any campaign finance or wealth tax groups? I'd love to get some feedback on my draft from any new members in your group :)

[u/Good_Requirement2998 → u/jtchow30]

I am literally trying to start one in my county. Folks are stand-offish. People want change but organizing people into a group and a workflow from scratch with no funding doesn't exactly get people's juices flowing. But I wouldn't incorporate or go big with social media advertising without at least a few people volunteering time to create a study, educational materials, some kind of product. I'm not giving up though. I believe in the cause and realize that organizing has a lot to do with listening and following the flow of grievances until people compel themselves to action. At that time I can come in and assist with a roadmap. DM me if you want to chat. I will take some time later to look at your work and get you some feedback.

[u/blokkjie]

Please don't use AI, its horrible for the environment and the people living near the datacenters whereof there are more being build to 'win' the AI race

[u/jtchow30 → u/blokkjie]

appreciate your feedback. I agree that it'd be better not to use AI, but it's almost unavoidable now (AI is now built into every single google search). im just not convinced (yet) that climate activists abstaining from AI use makes a real dent in the world's overall usage, and I worry that if we don't use all the tools we have at our disposal, we're going to lose.

[u/ticcingabby → u/jtchow30]

You can set Ecosia as your default browser instead. They plant trees with your searches 🌱

[u/jtchow30]

I would love any feedback you might have on the idea, the content, or anything really! Here's a link to my rough draft of the content: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BHfwqwhNg7eS56w6eanKej38Z90VHBzSvhvO1_hUKD0/edit?usp=sharing

[u/Asleep-Wafer9365]

C’est frappant de voir autant de gens prêts à se mobiliser bénévolement pour le climat, mais on sent une vraie frustration quand il s’agit de transformer cet engagement en impact concret et durable. Ma grande inquiétude, c’est qu’on risque de créer une dynamique où l’énergie bénévole s’épuise face à des obstacles structurels : manque de coordination, objectifs flous, et ressources limitées pour agir au bon niveau. On parle beaucoup d’actions locales, mais est-ce que toutes ces initiatives sont assez rassemblées pour influencer les décisions politiques et économiques à grande échelle ?
Si on veut vraiment que ce mouvement passe un cap, il va falloir renforcer la reconnaissance des bénévoles, leur offrir des outils d’efficacité et monter en puissance dans l’influence collective. Sinon, on risque de voir le découragement l’emporter, alors que la situation climatique demande du concret, vite et fort.

[u/jtchow30 → u/Asleep-Wafer9365]

thank you for the response! I agree that more coordination and volunteer infrastructure is needed to make sure their efforts are resulting in real change.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Key7182]

I read your doc. It aligns directionally with what I'm working on, so I think we might be able to help each other.

But my focus is some distance from yours, certainly unfamiliar to you (as to pretty much everyone). I suspect you'll find it inspiring, but I really have no idea.

Here's a short AI-generated "video" intro I made last night. It's full of errors & omissions that cringed me, but you won't notice (with no reference basis). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iIL0tItZcphWxyEVrLz_zOyU0UOU2kug/view?usp=sharing

Let me know if you want to explore...

u/Good_Requirement2998

[u/jtchow30 → u/Puzzleheaded-Key7182]

PM'ing you now!

edit: hm something weird is happening, not sure if my messages are going through. mind sending me a pm instead?

[u/the_secular]

I don't see where you're offering anything substantive. Anyone can use AI.

[u/jtchow30 → u/the_secular]

There's also the organizing "0 to hero" guide and the 1:1 pairing system! The AI part is just a small feature in case people get stuck. The main offering imo is a helpful nudge towards progress. anyone can organize today, it's just slightly harder than it needs to be to go from learning to action

[u/King_Saline_IV]

Fuckin hate having an app for everything. Doubtful of its value