Sylvia Ramirez BenattiUniversity of the District of Columbia

UDC is an Urban Land Grant University and the public institution in the city

Spring 2009 a members of different local unions approached the department chair of Urban Affairs, Social Sciences, and Social Work about the creation of an Institute for Community Organizing and Change.

Higher Education for Community Change - Andy Mott – Community Learning Partnership

Collective Action

Strategy and Analysis

Issue Expertise

Leadership and Management

The Principles and Practices of Organizing in Communities and Organizations

Taking content to context Guest speaker each week from either labor,

political or grassroots organizing addressing the topic of the week◦ Community Organizing and Development, 4th ed.

Authors Rubin, Herbert J. & Rubin, Irene S. (ISBN 0-205-40813-3)

15 students – a mix of Urban Studies and Political Science majors

Partnered with 5 nonprofit organizations representing labor, political and grassroots organizations.

Assigned students in teams of 3 to work in organizations to experience frontline organizing for example Jobs with Justice – Washington DC Immigration Rally/March.

Fall 2010 – Offer Community Organizing course

Adding Community Organizers ‘– Tool kit

Summer 2011 – Institute for Community Organizing & Change.

Sylvia Benattisbenatti@udc.edu