Community organizing is a craft that takes a lifetime to learn and practice. I’ve been helped recently in learning from the experiences of Marshall Ganz as described in his book People. Power. Change. and by the concise visual “Life Cycle of an Organizing Campaign” from the University of Minnesota. I’m persuaded by the six-step cycle that’s described there:
Base Building —> Choosing an Issue —> Community Power Analysis —> Action —> Decision Making —> Evaluation  —> Base Building again.
There are opportunities at every step for developing leaders by taking risks in trying on new challenges. Any organization and community’s power comes from the number of leaders willing to step up and take responsibility for empowering change in a given moment.

Prism is currently in our initial base-building phase, where others and myself are getting the word out about this multiracial, multifaith, statewide movement for LGBTQ empowerment in Minnesota. This involves as many one-to-one conversations as possible, taking opportunities for educating community groups, and participating in outreach/coalition moments that heighten public awareness of Prism’s mission. Before we can meaningfully bring organized advocacy to bear on behalf of our communities in school board, city, county, and statewide settings, we have to constitute the base in the first place. Huge thanks to all those who have already reached out to schedule one-to-one conversations, invited me to speak to community groups, or otherwise advocated for Prism’s visibility!

We become a meaningful organization through such proactive steps, and I’d welcome further invitations. Please let me know if you’d like to meet on Zoom or in person over the coming weeks, or if you’re connected to a group that might be interested in supporting—with advocacy efforts, volunteer time, or donations—the goals of this multiracial, multifaith, statewide LGBTQ advocacy effort. Right now I’m especially looking for leads in rural/suburban Minnesota, non-Christian faiths, and communities of color. I’d appreciate your help and guidance as we continue to building the base of Prism together!

–Oby Ballinger, Founder and Lead Organizer