WIN builds power from the ground up—through relationships, shared issues, and leaders who create change together.
THE FOUNDATION: RELATIONSHIPS
WIN starts with one-on-one conversations between leaders and their neighbors. In these conversations, people share their stories, values, and concerns—including what they’d like to see changed in their community.
These relationships happen through the institutions that matter in people’s lives: congregations, schools, unions, community associations, and other organizations.
Through one-on-ones and small group house meetings, WIN leaders identify priority issues and find leaders passionate enough to work on them.
WIN’S STRUCTURE
WIN is organized democratically from the bottom up:
Core Teams (5-10 leaders per institution) Each member institution has a Core Team that does local organizing and represents WIN to their institution.
Action Team (all Core Teams together) WIN’s central decision-making body. Meets regularly to learn about issues and make all major decisions. This is where WIN’s democratic control happens.
Strategy Team (most experienced leaders) Does strategic thinking and plans actions. Makes recommendations to the Action Team.
Co-Chairs (four senior leaders) Identify new leaders, recruit member organizations, and build strategic power relationships.
Staff Organizers WIN’s steam—an executive director and lead organizer, expert staff organizers, operations manager, and more —serve as experts, facilitators, connectors, coaches, and more, enabling WIN to drive long-term change throughout the District. They identify and train leaders, but member leaders make the decisions and have a vital role in the organizing work.
THE ORGANIZING CYCLE
WIN follows a proven process for identifying issues and winning change—the same five steps described on our About WIN page:
1. Build Core Teams Develop organizing teams in each institution, trained to identify leaders and surface issues.
2. Conduct House Meetings Build relationships, identify passionate leaders, and develop people ready to act.
3. Research Leaders develop knowledge and expertise on the issue through research actions—ensuring campaigns are strategic and effective.
4. Take Action Bring public pressure on decision-makers with power to create specific change. Every action is carefully planned with clear objectives and assigned roles.
5. Evaluate After every action, leaders assess what worked, what didn’t, and why. These lessons help leaders grow and make future actions more successful.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Training happens throughout this cycle. Organizers and senior leaders teach skills including:
- One-on-ones and house meetings
- Issue research and power analysis
- Developing allies and strategic relationships
- Public speaking and negotiation
- Fundraising
WIN also offers intensive multi-day leadership trainings throughout the year and connects leaders with training opportunities through national organizing networks.