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Changing the System While Building Your Group:
When deciding what your group will work on it is important not only to choose or design a project which will result in systems change, you also should pay attention to building your group. System change can be a long term proposition. How do you accomplish an outcome and still build your group? Use the following points to evaluate your proposal:
Will Lead to a Real Improvement in People's Lives.
It is a real outcome which addresses a real need people have. The outcome can be seen, felt, experienced on a regular basis. It is tangible. It is worthwhile in that members feel they are working for something about which they feel good, which merits the effort involved.
Will Give People a Sense of Their Own Power.
People in your group will feel that they accomplished the outcome, not some other group of experts such as lawyers.
Is Do-Able.
You have or can get the resources you need to accomplish the outcome.
Is Widely and Deeply Felt.
Not only do your members feel this is worthwhile, many people are impacted by what you will do, agree with your resolution and will feel strongly enough about it to help out.
Be Easy to Understand.
It will be a lot easier to get support when you do not have to convince people that what you are doing is worthwhile. You should be able to explain your outcome and how you plan to accomplish it in a few easy sentences without using any technical terms or jargon.
Have a Clear Time Frame.
Your objectives are measurable (not just "more" but how much more, for example) and broken down into steps so everyone knows how things are going at any given time. This also gives more opportunities to celebrate as the smaller steps are made!
Does not Divide People and the Group You Need Support From Now or In the Future.
Everyone in your group may not feel equally strong about the proposal but they at least don't strongly object. Also think ahead to whom you may need to rely on in the future. Involving them now, at least to the extent that they are not strongly opposed to what you are doing, will help you later.
Will Build Leadership.
Your project should have many roles that people can fill. Use the skills and abilities of all your members.
