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Organising Models Mapping Project: Survey Open!

Australian Progress and Commons Library undertake important research about organising models in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Strikers walking along a rocky beach next to the water holding signs. One reads Equal rights for all workers.

Defending Unionism: The Weipa Dispute, 1995

Introduction During the 1980s and 1990s a series of campaigns saw workers fight back against attacks on their wages and conditions, jobs, unions and rights in Australia. Occurring in the context of the 1983-1996 ALP-ACTU Accord, a number of companies increased their union busting efforts. Disputes in the then highly unionised mining industry were common. […]

Brave Enough to say ‘No’: William White and the Fight against Military Conscription during the Vietnam War

Learn about the teacher’s, William White, fight against Military Conscription during the Vietnam War in Australia.

Women Fighting Back in the Depression Years

Read about the role that women played in unemployed movements during the Depression Years in Australia in this book excerpt by Janey Stone.

Text reads Where's the power? Developing your theory of change. The words power are cut out letters pinned with colourful pins.

Where’s the Power? Developing Your Theory of Change [Template]

An introduction to developing your Theory of Change and a template based on the works of Marshall Ganz, Harvard Professor.

a computer keyboard with a focus on the return key that features an orange heart with text above the heart that reads DONATE. There is a soft flowing light shining above the button.

What Works to Increase Charitable Donations?

Find out from this research meta analysis how to increase donations to charities and also find out what doesn’t work.

Measuring Your Impact

How do you measure the impact of activism and advocacy work? Here are some ideas, resources and organisational examples to get you started.

a landscape of the Australian Parliament Federal Building with the Australian flag on top. The building is list up at twilight and the building is reflected in the lake in front of it.

2022 Australian Federal Election Analysis

Trying to make sense of the 2022 Australian federal election and the resulting political landscape? This collection of articles will give you valuable insights.

3 pieces of paper with the numbers 100 is hanging from a line with wooden pegs. There are coloured lights in the background

Make the First 100 Days Count: Steps for Holding the New Government Accountable

Introduction The ‘first 100 days’ comes from when Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd US President, was elected to power and he and his government made a phenomenal amount of change in a very short time including passing 76 pieces of legislation. For more see Why Do We Care About the First 100 Days? (David Roos, […]

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Lobbying and Advocacy: Start Here

Welcome to the Lobbying & Advocacy topic in the Commons Social Change Library. This article guides you through a wide range of materials to inform the public in relation to lobbying, advocacy and policy-making.

an aerial photo of a beach with words being made of by a mass of people. The words read No Gasfields

‘Always look up’: Connecting Community for a Win against Gas

Lessons learned from the anti gas campaign in Victoria, Australia from Cam Walker, Campaign Coordinator at Friends of the Earth.

Graph showing the Movement Action Plan developed by Bill Moyers. Each line represents Reformers, Rebels, Public, Organisers

Bill Moyer’s Movement Action Plan and Four Roles of Activism

Learn about and understand the ups and downs of social movements from Bill Moyer’s Movement Action Plan and the Four Roles of Activism.

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Developing Data Capability in Your Not-for-Profit

Walk through the six types of data that not-for-profit organisations most often work with and what you can actually do with that data.

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Data Projects from Go to Whoa!

Get things rolling and ensure your not for profit data projects are as successful and sustainable as they can be with this 15 step pathway.

Campaign Case Study Template

A campaign case study template to get you started in capturing the details of your campaign to capture lessons for others and the future.

Learning from Peers and the Past: Writing Case Studies

This article provides tips and template for writing activist case studies that provide campaigners with opportunities to learn from peers and the past.

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Measuring What Matters: An Introduction to Project Evaluation for Not-for-profits

Programs that are evaluated give twice: 1st in the impact it has and 2nd in making it possible for you and others to do better next time.

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How Emotions Mobilise and Sustain the Anti-Coal Seam Gas Movement

Introduction Emotions play an important role in mobilising people to take action on social and environmental issues. In this study of the anti-coal seam gas movement in regional Australia the authors found that anger about coal seam gas mining mobilised people to take action, but the combination of anger with the joy of connecting with […]

Finding the Needle in the Haystack: Internet Research Tips

Quick tips and tools to improve your internet searching skills including using filters, truncation, phrase searching and hyphens.

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Organizing: People, Power and Change – The One on One 1:1 Meeting

Introduction The 1:1 meeting is a tool to establish, maintain, and grow relationships in organizing. Each 1:1 meeting has four key pieces: Purpose Be up front in establishing why you are meeting in order to make sure you are both on the same page. If you plan to ask the person you’re meeting with to […]

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