August 23rd, 2025
This week is going to move more deliberately into the head and feet. As we have just engaged in deep self-exploration, gaining insight into our deepest level of being, we will now move into an outerworld space to see how we will present ourselves in the outer world. To do that, though, we’ll need to engage in some deep study around power, what it means, and how we might use it. Additionally, we’ll discover ways to bring together our community, combine our purposes with an understanding of power, and effectively move our people in an engaging direction.
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Joe Worthy is a community organizer and strategist who works alongside community members to build power through Strategic Nonviolent Action. Partnering with leaders and local groups, he drives systemic change through his roles with the Strategic Nonviolence Academy, the Albert Einstein Institution, and Light House | Black Girl Projects. His support has led to landmark victories, from coaching a community group in Côte d'Ivoire that successfully shut down a coal mine to helping end Zero Tolerance Policies in Boston and expand healthcare for mothers in Mississippi. Previously, at the Children’s Defense Fund, he focused on dismantling the Cradle to Prison Pipeline. Joe studied at Heidelberg University and the University of Oxford and was a Community Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.
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Drew Serres is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Network Delaware which focuses on activating regular people in the political process through leadership development, civic engagement, and policy change. Through the organization Drew has provided a space to support campaigns for racial justice, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and economic opportunity. He focuses his time coaching and developing the next set of social change organizers across the state. Previously, Drew managed and coached multiple grassroots electoral and issue-oriented campaigns from the local to the state-wide level. He also wrote at OrganizingChange.org and coached chess at a local school.
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This session delves into the concept of power within the framework of strategic nonviolence, exploring how movements can harness and apply power to achieve their goals. By understanding the dynamics of power, activists can more effectively challenge oppressive systems and mobilize support for their causes.
The session will illustrate how strategic nonviolence can shift power balances and create opportunities for change. Participants will learn to identify power sources within their own movements and those of their opponents, and how to position themselves strategically to maximize their influence. This comprehensive exploration of power dynamics will equip attendees with the insights and tools necessary to drive impactful and sustainable nonviolent actions.
Participants will gain an understanding of the dynamics of power within the context of strategic nonviolence and be able to apply this understanding to develop more effective nonviolent strategies for their movements.
This session offers a comprehensive overview of the essential tools and techniques for effective community organizing. Participants will explore the core principles of mobilizing communities, building coalitions, and driving social change. The session will emphasize the importance of understanding community dynamics, identifying common goals, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Participants will gain practical insights into organizing strategies, such as grassroots advocacy, campaign planning, and leadership development. By mastering these skills, participants will be equipped to empower communities, amplify their voices, and achieve collective objectives. This session will provide actionable frameworks and best practices to guide participants in their community organizing efforts, ensuring they can create lasting and meaningful impact.
Participants will understand the essential tools and techniques for effective community organizing and be able to apply these to empower communities and drive social change.