“From the Ground, Up”

GRASSROOTS

ELI CREIGHTON

A Quick Definition

• Merriam-Webster defines grassroots as:– The very foundation or source– The basic level of society or of an organization

especially as viewed in relation to higher or more centralized positions of power

• In basic terms, a grass roots movement starts from nothing

• Like actual grass roots, they start from the ground and grow up

Definition

• It should be emphasized that grassroots organizations are bottom, up movements

• They are the opposite of top, down organizations

• Grassroots essentially means run by the common people

Bottom Up

• Grassroots are not controlled or started by the people already holding power

• Started by local organizers rather than upper echelon members of society

• Recognize these people? No.

John Dalhuisen, Director of Amnesty International

Jim Leape, Director of the WWF

Famous Examples• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s• Began by a small group of people with a

common goal• Used methods like church meetings, sit-

ins, letter writing, and marching to get their message across

• The Occupy Wall Street Movement• Modern example that most people

today can relate to• Started with the idea of a few, but

that idea resonated with many

Famous Examples

• I provided two examples of major grassroots movements, can you think of any others?

• Do grassroots movements have to be marches and protests to be considered?

• What else defines a grassroots movement?

More Common Forms

• Though things like the Civil Rights Marches and Occupy are very popular, they are only a tiny proportion of what makes a grassroots movement

• Most organizations are focused individuals who start with a basic idea and expand from there

• What are the most common types?

Non-Profits

• These are generally the most common types of grassroots movements

• Use revenue to achieve its goals rather than distributing as revenue

• They usually have a small amount of paid workers, but volunteers are generally the corps of the organization

Well Known NPO’s

• Amnesty International• The Red Cross• World Wildlife Fund for Nature• SOS Children’s Village

NPO Stats

• According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are over 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the U.S.

• It is estimated that NPO’s employ, in a broad sense, around 10% of the U.S. population

• The NCCS also runs a website to help people find data and opportunities for non-profits

• http://nccs.urban.org/ • http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/telling-our-stor

y/nonprofits-numbers

More Locally Based

• Just because an organization is not a non-profit, does not mean they aren’t a grassroots organization

• Remember, grassroots by definition means it is an organization that when started, is unconnected to anything else like the government

• Do we have any grassroots around Portland?

Local Grassroots

• Zapoura provided some great links to educational organizations for this week– http://www.openbooksproject.org/index.aspx– http://www.familyforwardoregon.org/– http://stand.org/oregon

• These are three great options but there are tons more

A Few More In PDX

• Upset about the budget cuts and lack of school funding? So is UPSET!– http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/20

12/05/grant_high_schools_grassroots.html• Want to help support children from the cradle

to career?– http://allhandsraised.org/

• Learn to eat sustainably and support those who go hungry in our community– http://www.growing-gardens.org/

What Can You Do?

• Much like the volunteering we started this term, participating in a grassroots movement seems daunting

• Just take your time, figure out what you are passionate about

• Look at the links provided or do a quick Google search to find something that suits you and your passions

Can You Help?

• Absolutely. • Keep in mind, most grassroots organizations

are non-profits and need all the help they can get

• Most welcome volunteers and people willing to donate time and energy

• I know most of us are poor but donating money is always appreciated as well

Essentials

• Grassroots organizations are generally started by individuals and small groups with a focused idea

• They may broaden or narrow their focus after starting, but always have a specific mission in mind – (i.e., bettering education, feeding the hungry,

helping the impoverished)• Built on ideas but kept running by dedicated

workers and tons of volunteers

Questions

• What are some major grassroots organizations you can think of?

• What good can these small movements do?• Are grassroots movements ever effective?• Do the movements have to be big and popular

to effect change or can a small group do just as well?

• What are the implications if we don’t have grassroots movements within our society?