GrassRoots School 2024
Organize for Change
Grassroots School is a leadership workshop for people who want to learn practical skills they can use to build power in their local communities. Our learning will be grounded in the radical belief that everyone has leadership potential and capacity to be a changemaker in their community.
The workshop will be a mix of virtual and in-person sessions that introduce participants to different aspects of grassroots leadership including relationship building, structuring teams, strategizing, deploying effective actions, as well as clarity on one’s personal purpose and mission. Sessions will be structured to build on each other.
Throughout the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to practice and reflect on these aspects of leadership with the support of experienced organizers and facilitators.
Participants will have a chance to connect and build relationships with one another within a tight-knit learning community.
Who should apply?
Anyone who is interested in learning to become a powerful leader and create change in their community. No prior experience is necessary. All experience levels are welcome. This workshop can serve as an introduction to those beginning on their leadership path or as a refresher to those with experience.
The workshop is open to residents who live in GROWW’s seven county area of Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties.
time commitment
The workshop will take place in January 2024 and will consist of a 2-hour online session on Wednesday January 24th (6-8pm), a two-day in-person workshop on Saturday January 27th and Sunday January 28th, and a 2-hour online session on Tuesday January 30th (6-8pm)
Homework
Prior to each session, participants will be asked to complete a homework assignment (readings, podcasts, videos). After the workshop, participants will be asked to complete a brief reflection on what they learned.
Pay What you can
We suggest a $150 contribution for GrassRoots School participants. However, we embrace a pay-what-you-can approach the workshop!
You may also sponsor a student and contribute to keeping GrassRoots School accessible for all with a suggested donation of $150.
What Will I Learn?
Participants will learn the five basic leadership practices:
- How to articulate a story of why you were called to lead, a story of those whom you hope to mobilize, and a story of action: self, us, and now.
- How to build intentional relationships as the foundation of purposeful collective actions.
- How to structure a team with shared purpose, ground rules and roles for effective leadership.
- How to strategize turning resources into the power to achieve clear goals.
- How to translate strategy into measurable, motivational, and effective action.
What Our Past Students Have To Say…
The Grassroots School has given me practical tools and a comprehensive language and structure to build a movement around the things I value most. 100% recommend to anyone who has been trying to find a way to make a difference in the world.
Abe S.
This was truly incredible!! The organizers, facilitators, and participants were all genuine, intelligent, and powerful people all trying to do something to better the world we live in. It was so powerful to be in an intergenerational space with so many amazing folks, and come up with clear targets and tactics to create the world we want to live in.
Taylor S.
Grassroots School was an amazing experience for me, in which I had the opportunity to learn about myself, meet some inspirational people in my community, and feel hopeful about positive changes I can launch in my own neighborhood.
Jenna B.
Questions?
For logistical questions or more information, please contact Bill Hogseth at bill@gro-ww.org
This workshop is originally adapted from:
The works of Marshall Ganz of Harvard University | https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/marshall-ganz
Modifications of Dan Grandone, Nneka Akubeze, and Jake Waxman of WILD | https://wildproj.org/
The Leading Change Network | https://leadingchangenetwork.org/
