SPECIAL: Let's get organized! Lessons from a lifetime of leadership (with Sandra Ball)

 

How to build people power at this moment in time? 

In this special episode we take a deep dive into organizing! How to build movements and leadership that is sustainable and effective? How to have campaigns and change strategies that really put people central And why is that so important, especially today? We have someone with us with a long history of leadership and organizing – and teaching others to organize - looking back on what she has learned over the years.

Sandra Ball grew up in the US and moved to the Netherlands in the 80s, following her mother's commitment to social justice by joining the peace movements and mass anti-nuclear protests. She had various leadership roles at Friends of the Earth and set up the very first organizing school in the Netherlands six years ago called the Lowlander Project (with a reference to the US-based Highlander that is an important source of inspiration). I have been following their journey, learning A LOT along the way and growing convinced of just how important people-powered organizing is.

It's exciting to be able to share some of what I have been learning from Sandra with you in this Special.

«There’s nothing more exciting than teaching people that they have a voice and can speak. That’s why I love organizing.»  

Sandra is passionate about people finding their voice, role and community and has coached and trained many changemakers to do just that. She recently retired with a beautiful community gathering, showing just what organizing is all about. In this episode, we look back on what she has learned about making change happen, where she thinks we are at today, and what she hopes for as she takes a step back - yet not too far back thankfully. 

We talk about the importance of really seeing people, their needs and talents. Of coaching to help them reflect on what works and what doesn't. Of complimenting and celebrating. Of building community and joy into the process, but also taking time to heal. And why is strategy still often considered a (white) men's job? It's a real reminder to demistify strategy and build true co-creation, taking the time for this and then committing to make it happen (something we are not always good at). Summing it up:

«Leadership is enabling other people to be able to reach their common goal in difficult times» 

As many of us are trying to figure out how to respond to these times, there is a lot of food for thought in this episode - whether new to organizing or experienced and in need of some inspiration. 

So please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation on your preferred platform (including podfollow, Apple Podcast and Spotify.

 

PS: It was a rare live interview in a very lovely podcast caravan and we have images to prove it!

  

 

 

Resources and links to Sandra's work:

Lowlander Project:  www.lowlanderproject.nl

Leading Change Netwerk:  https://leadingchangenetwork.org/  (international network for organizing linked to Marshall Ganz) 

Leadership, Organizing and Action.  Online course with Marshall Ganz (Harvard): https://www.hks.harvard.edu/educational-programs/executive-education/leadership-organizing-and-action

ECON:  https://organizeeurope.org/ (european community organizing netwerk) 

Organizers Handbook https://commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Organizers_Handbook.pdf (A short guide to organizing)

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The People vs Inequality Podcast is a space to reflect with changemakers on how to tackle inequality and injustice. This special episode was a collaboration between us and Lowlander Project to honor the work of Sandra and share insights on organizing that we feel is such an essential way forward in these times.

Host and creator: Barbara van Paassen
Producer: Elizabeth Maina
Editor: Charles Righa

The profile picture of Sandra was taken by Constanze Flamme.