Activist Archiving: Start Here
A list of articles and ideas from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in archiving your work in social change.
Format
Articles
Nonviolence Training: A Brief History
A brief history of nonviolence training around the world, Australia and in the Pacific by a group called Pt’Chang.
Leaderful Organizing Tool: Body Scanning and Cultivating Somatic Awareness
Body Scanning is a wellbeing tool which can strengthen the capacity for holistic and regenerative leaderful organizing.
Leaderful Organizing Tool: Comfort, Learning and Panic Zones
Comfort, Learning and Panic Zones is a leaderful organizing tool that can support us to create a transformative group culture.
How to Influence a Political “Frenemy”: Lessons from 350 Canada’s Climate Welcome
Lessons learned from 350.org Canada’s “Climate Welcome” protest that pressured Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take bold climate action.
Writing to your MP
Tips from Oxfam about how to write a letter that will have maximum impact on a Member of Parliament.
Writing a Letter to the Editor
This article by Oxfam Australia provides tips to help get your letter to the editor published.
Warm Cookies of the Revolution: Creative Approaches to Civic Health
In this article Denver, Colorado based group Warm Cookies of the Revolution outline how they use innovative arts and cultural programs to help people exercise their “Civic Health” and engage in social change.
Decoding Injustice: Shedding new light on how economic policies harm people’s human rights
This article provides a powerful way to use research to advance a range of economic, environmental, and social issues.
Green Bans Timeline: 1971-74
A timeline of the Green Bans implemented by NSW Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) in the early 1970s.
Approaches to Organising: Decentralised, Directed Network and Strike Circles Models
An exploration of different organising models being utilised in Australia/NZ: Decentralised organising, Directed network and Strike Circles.
Approaches to Organising: The Ganz Model
Challenges and considerations faced by organisations in implementing the Ganz model of social change – Marshall Ganz organising model.
Building peace takes time: 5 steps to build it in the US now
The article highlights the urgent need for peacebuilding in the United States due to deep political divisions and conflicts following the elections.
Why a Coaching Approach is Better than Command and Control
Sophia Zaia, a consultant for Powerlabs, shares her key takeaways about using a coaching approach when working with volunteers for the Sunrise Movement’s distributed voter contact program.
Disability Advocates and Campaigners in Australia: Frank Hall-Bentick
An interview with Frank Hall-Bentick. Frank was one of Australia’s most prolific and celebrated disability advocates and campaigners.
Efficacy is Essential for Taking Action
It’s essential for people to feel they can do something about a problem. Here is what we can do to increase people’s efficacy to take action.
Towards Inclusive Practice: Guides, Tips and Videos
Easy to use resources including guides, tips and videos provide advice on how to be more inclusive of people with an intellectual disability.
Social Identity and Group Norms
Videos and overviews of group norms and social identity within the context of understanding conflict between groups.
What We can Learn from Star Wars’ Andor: The Role of Sacrifice in Revolutionary Organising
The article discusses the importance of sacrifice in achieving social change, using the Star Wars TV show Andor as an example.
The Trifecta of Civil Resistance: Unity, Planning, Discipline
3 attributes can make the difference between success and failure for nonviolent movements around the world: unity, planning, & nonviolence.