It is through organizing that the organization exhibits momentum, rather than inertia. It is through organizing that residents can resist pressure to accommodate their vision to political and bureaucratic elites. At DSNI, the commitment to organizing was regularly reiterated by the board and staff. Organizing Director Ros Everdell says, We train everyone in DSNI, all staff and leaders, to see themselves as organizers. DSNI s staff was structured with he organizing, development and human development directors all on the same level.
Development planning takes place in combination with other organizing.
In Gus Newport s words, The foundation and the glue which has held DSNI together is the organizing component. Reprinted with permission of South End Press. Back to Shelterforce Online Bookstore .