Train and be trained! – Organizations and materials to help you on your way.

Where to find a trainer:

Training for Change
Since 1992, Training for Change has been committed to increasing capacity around the world for activist training. When they say activist training, they mean training that helps groups stand up more effectively for justice, peace and the environment. They deliver skills directly that people working for social change can use in their daily work. Their website also has a lot of great resources for leading your own trainings on a variety of topics

The Ruckus Society
Ruckus offers several different action camps focusing on nonviolent direct-action theory, tactics, and popular education methods. They can also send experienced direct action trainers to your group for whatever you need.

The Washington Action Group (W.A.G.)
W.A.G. is one of the premierre local groups that combines non-violent direct action and the arts to create a truly unique blend of activism. They provide trainings on nonviolent direct action, history, philosophy, strategy and tactics, facilitation, consensus process, media, strategic planning for organizations and ampaigns, creative resistance and the arts of protest, construction and use of giant props and, puppets, logistics for actions, mass action platforms, blockades, street theater and more. 

Washington Peace Center
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch with the Peace Center and we’ll help you get trained in whatever you need to know.

 

Where to go get trained:

DC Trainer’s Network
The DC Trainers’ Network monthly skillshare is a structured, interactive space where people can share skills and gain confidence in their training abilities and everybody is both a teacher and a learner. We strive to provide an inclusive practice space to experiment with different approaches for learning and teaching. This skillshare seeks to strengthen the DC activist community’s ability to meet the needs of progressive social movements.  Organized by the Washington Peace Center.

Highlander Center 
Highlander serves Appalachia and the South with programs designed to build strong and successful social-change activism and community organizing led by the people who suffer most from the injustices of society. Highlander helps activists to become more effective community educators and organizers, informed about the important issues driving conditions in communities today. Highlander was founded in 1932 and has a long and powerful history, particularly in the labor and civil rights movements.

DART Center (Direct Action and Research Training Center)
DART’s mission is to engage congregations in a process of building congregation-based community organizations that have the power to pursue and win justice. The DART Organizers Institute is a paid, field school created to recruit and train great community organizers, as well as strengthen DART’s mission to build power and win justice. 

Midwest Academy 
Midwest Academy is a leading national training institute for the progressive movement. The Academy advances the movements for social change by teaching a strategic, rigorous, results-oriented approach to social action and organization building. The Academy provides training (introductory and advanced level) and consulting, equipping organizers, leaders, and their organizations to think and act strategically to win justice for all.

Training for Change
Since 1992, Training for Change has been committed to increasing capacity around the world for activist training, specializing in training for trainers. When they say activist training, they mean training that helps groups stand up more effectively for justice, peace and the environment. They deliver skills directly that people working for social change can use in their daily work. Their website also has a lot of great resources for leading your own trainings on a variety of topics.

Green Corps
Green Corps’ Field School for Environmental Organizing trains college graduates to run environmental campaigns, from building a core group of activists to convincing decision-makers to pass laws, change policies and create reforms to protect our environment. It is a one-year, full-time, paid program that includes intensive classroom training, hands-on field experience running urgent environmental and public health campaigns, and career placement in positions with leading environmental groups.

New Organizing Institute (NOI)
The New Organizing Institute was created by organizers who use all available new (and “seasoned”) technologies to spark and coordinate activity both online and offline.  By training new online organizers and technologists, our goal is to infuse this new field with talented staff, to connect and energize a new generation of progressive activists, and to solidify long-term progressive power.

Rockwood Leadership Institute 
Rockwood teaches skills and tools that help grassroots and policy reform leaders overcome organizational challenges; inspire and align individuals and organizations toward producing quality outcomes; develop collaborative skills; decrease “burn-out”; and create organizations that celebrate sustainability and diversity.

Wellstone Action!
This national network trains progressive activists, organizers, and candidates in communities all over the country.

Center for Progressive Leadership
The CPL provides leadership trainings for activists and potential electoral candidates and staff, and connects young people with paid internships at progressive organizations.


Where to find help for leading your own training:

Network for Good 

Website that offers online nonprofit fundraising trainings and a large archive of past trainings.

RANT Collective 
The Root Activist Network of Trainers is a small collective that provides training, action planning, and support for various social justice groups and mobilizations across the world. Their website has a fantastic collection of invaluable educational materials dealing with action planning, anti-oppression, and consensus decision-making.

Organizing for Power 
Lisa Fithian has been organizing for 35 years between the global justice, anti-war, student, labor, and environmental movements, and has collected all her resources and knowledge here on her website. Look here for some excellent conceptual tools to think about power, strategy, and organizing for social change and liberation.


Materials to download:

Accessible Organizing/Facilitation – Resources for accessible organizing and movement-building

Media Training – prep a group for interviews, press events and press releases 

Media Workshop Handout – reviewing press tips and template for press releases

Legal Support Training – train a group on how to do legal support for direct action

Legal Support/Affinity Group Role Play – a great tool to use in a training on the importance of setting up a legal support system for direct actions

Nonviolent Direct Action Training Agenda – a 4 hour agenda that can be adjusted for your training slot

Social Media Prep for Actions – Prep work and tips for using social media to compliment and advance your actions

Social Media Resources – Websites, tools, resources, and helpful guides on social media for activists

Know more great training resources? Please send ideas to info@washingtonpeacecenter.org with subject “Resources.” Thanks for helping our community!