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What's on top?I can be super important for social change activists and organisations to take time to articulate their theory of change. To align and focus our energy there can be benefit in recognising our (often unspoken) different theories about how we're most likely to bring about desired social changes. Do the circumstances and our objectives primarily call for education and awareness raising? Engaging constructively with the powers that be? Civil resistance and protest? In one organisation we worked with recently, team members were locked in circular arguments about how they were most likely to make change. A half-day theory of change workshop drew out the tension between their deeply-held convictions, encouraged folks to interrogate the evidence and arguments behind their assumptions, and work toward a new, shared theory of change to guide their strategy and tactics. In this month’s Change Agency newsletter, we’re sharing a collection of links to some of our favourite ‘theory of change’ resources and exercises. You’ll find more by searching for resources tagged ’theories of change’ in our ‘activists toolkit’ and on the ‘Research to Action’ blog. Drop me a line if you're searching for something specific or generating new ideas and options to help your campaigners think through theories of change. We're always happy to share resources. For friends in Victoria, we'd love you to join us for a free workshop. On Wednesday 12 July, our Community Organising Fellowship team will lead a Community Organising and Campaign Strategy workshop near Melbourne. Full details of session topics, format and transport arrangements below. We'd love to see you at Commonground. Enjoy! |
Great online resourcesEnews subscribers regularly share with us the websites and online resources they’re developing, discovering and learning from in their community organising. Enjoy this month’s batch and be sure to drop us a line to suggest links for the next enews. |
A Theory of Change (ToC) approach helps in deepening your understanding - and that of your partners - of how you collectively think change happens and what the effect will be of your intervention. Not only does it show what political, social, economic, and/or cultural factors are in play, it also clarifies your assumptions. Once a ToC has been developed, it can …
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Theory of Change Online (TOCO) is the only web-based software (no download required) that you can use to design and edit and store your Theory of Change, learn the concepts of theory of change, and capture your outcomes, indicators, rationales and assumptions in an interactive graphical environment.
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People act on the basis of their understanding of how the world works – their ‘theories of action’. We do X because we believe, based on past experience or what we've read, that Y will happen. This applies to projects and programs as well. So it follows that if you can improve a project’s theories of action you can improve how …
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A guide to developing a theory of change as a framework for inclusive dialogue, learning and accountability for social impact. The process of developing a theory of change is an exciting and often liberating process of interaction and discovery that helps organizations see beyond their familiar frames and habits (even if these were quite effective), understand the full complexity of …
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At the Democracy Center, for nearly 25 years we have worked to support people all across the world with one area of activism especially – advocacy. That is a word with many different meanings. Most of all it means to have a specific objective in mind – passing a law or blocking one, demanding action from a community or a corporation, …
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We use this exercise to jump start a group thinking about the changes they really hope to make, what will get them there, and most importantly, why. Sometimes it is helpful to start by drawing a vision for change for the top of the map, or the long-term goal (rather than trying to articulate in words).
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We have used the Knowledge Tree as a tool for doing a "learning review" or a systemization of what has been learned through for example past monitoring exercises, and more in-depth discussions with staff and community members. At the bottom of the tree are what participants felt were the "root causes" or "drivers" of the issues (prioritized through dots) and …
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This activity can take the shape of either a road, river, or even a chain of cenotes! We suggest inviting as diverse a group as possible, people from the community of course, but also community leaders, religious leaders, educators, other actors from NGOs and community groups and even government representatives. The more diversity you have, the richer and more relevant …
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Upcoming learning opportunities and eventsFor details of other workshops and learning opportunities, visit our calendar. |
Join us for a half-day workshop at Commonground for a participatory workshop to learn campaign strategy and community organising skills and tools. Extend your campaign toolkit Sharpen your strategy Connect with activists and organisers The workshop will be facilitated by participants in this year's Community Organising Fellowship , drawing on the Change Agency’s People Power Manual. The fellowship is Australia’s most extensive activist training program, …
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Progress is the key biennial event that gathers, energises, and propels forward Australia’s leading campaigners, advocates and change-makers. With more than 60 sessions to choose from, there will be skill-shares and workshops, insightful panels, international keynotes and the launch of major new initiatives. Progress 2017 is the best moment of the year to break out of our ‘silos’ and make …
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Heather Mansfield presents webinars on how nonprofits can effectively utilize web and email communications, online fundraising tools, and mobile and social media. Thanks to a sponsorship from OnGood, to date more than 40,000 nonprofits worldwide have attended one of her webinars. Full details and registration >
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Introductory half-day workshop for those new to values and frames-based community engagement. We explore how values and frames work, why they matter, and what a values-based approach to community engagement means for individuals, organisations and movements seeking to create a more just, sustainable and democratic world. Masterclass for those who already have a grasp of the Common Cause fundamentals, but …
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The Groupwork Institute of Australia are the collaborative education and training arm of Commonground Training Resources Inc. We have been leaders in facilitation and collaborative management for more than 30 years. Our approach has two levels: Practical skills and processes that are easy to understand and simple to use Building emotional intelligence so these tools can be applied to a …
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Workshops on social media srategy, digital organising and train the trainer. Full details and registration here >
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Upcoming training opportunities on grant writing, successful boards, effective meetings, governance, media, online essentials, campaigns that sizzle, and being an effective spokesperson. Our Community has developed a suite of affordable, practical training to help community sector staff, volunteers and supporters keep abreast of their responsibilities and learn how to lift their organisation from ordinary to extraordinary All training is delivered by …
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Join tCA'S Facebook groupOne way to connect with other social movement educators and researchers. Click the icon below. |
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