Skills are already high in some areas and yet quite poor in others. For example the lobbying done by the ACF and TWS is now highly skilled and well focussed. It seems to be, however, dependent on particular political parties being in government. In the grassroots, things are achieved against high odds but people involved burn out and disappear at a disturbingly high rate. Many do not stay long enough to get enough relevant skills and experience to initiate, watch over and follow through their own projects.
Experienced activists have very limited resources and are too few in number.
And at the community level activists face fierce opposition from the power elite and the vast network of institutions they control. Activists also face internalised opposition from their own 'unresolved' hurts and the feelings left from past attacks against them.1 Direct action is an area that invites risk taking and full-on attacks. As a result relatively few people think really well around direct action. A few skilled activists can help a group evaluate strategies and tactics, help it stay open to new ideas, keep it focused on fundamental change, and prevent much of the in-fighting that might destroy it. They need members who look after new people, pay them close attention and teach skills one to one as the need arises.