Building Leadership

• One person can’t do it all! To build power across our communities, we need everyone to take on leadership roles and responsibilities. This takes the pressure off of one or two dedicated people to do everything, and allows everyone to participate.
  • ACORN operates under the principle of decentralized leadership. No one person is “in charge”, everyone is and can be a leader.
• Not every leadership role has to be front-and-centre – the person holding the megaphone is just as crucial as the person distributing flyers.
  • Some roles for new and existing leaders: meeting chairs, canvassers, chant leaders, sign makers, postering leads, flyer captains, notetakers, door-knockers, media spokespeople, meeting hosts, etc.
• Good leaders are dedicated, reliable, and passionate about the issues at hand. Always look for more leaders to work with you and your group!  Things to consider:
  • look at who consistently shows up to meetings and actions (not necessarily just the loudest person in the room).
• The role of existing leaders should be to develop new leaders in their community. Already great at running meetings? Ask someone new to help lead the agenda with you at your next building meeting.

Want someone to do something? Just ask!