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| Facilitator(s): | Recorder: |
Day, Date, Time, Duration: (approximately 2 hours)
Location:
Format:
| Open Issue ___ | Guided Issue ___ | Town Hall ___ | Public Policy ___ |
Participants:
| Approximate Number: 10-15 | Characteristics: Students involved in campus organizing |
Other invited guests/experts: (Optional) The Cesar E. Chavez Foundation Speakers Bureau and local community members who were impacted by or involved in the farm worker movement
Press/Public Relations:
| Audio-Visual Needs: none | Refreshments: Optional |
| Supplies: |
- Flip Chart - Markers - Tape - Sign-up Sheet (It is important to establish a contact list of people so they can continue to stay involved.) - Pens - Handouts (Optional, e.g. upcoming events, student organization information, information on the United Farm Workers or Cesar E. Chavez) |
Agenda:
Introduction – Student movements have been at the forefront of some of the changes our country has gone through historically. In fact, students helped to mobilize people during the Civil Rights and Chicano Movements. Students also spread the word about the injustices taking place in the fields of California, and took to the streets in opposition of Propositions in California like the anti-immigrant (Prop. 187), the anti-affirmative action (Prop. 209), and the anti-youth initiative (Prop. 21). So the big questions now a days are what motivates young people to get involved in their communities, and what does youth involvement look like? As you may already know, there are many ways young people can and should be involved in their communities.
Activity I – Who’s in the room?
Let’s start today by getting a sense of who’s in the room. Why don’t we go around and after everyone says their name, year in school and major, tell me what brought you to this discussion.
Would anyone like to volunteer to go first? If not, see Prompt.
Prompt: The facilitator may say something like: “Ok I’ll begin and we’ll continue around the circle to the left. My name is ______ and I’m a ____ year in _____ major. I came to this discussion today to begin to think about and work toward building a stronger network of students that want to make a difference here on campus and in the community.
Activity II – Quote
I want to start our dialogue by reading a quote from a person whose life and work was centered on civic action, civic engagement, and civic responsibility. He didn’t start out as a student activist but his message has inspired millions of people to action. (Add a personal anecdote of how Cesar may have inspired you or someone you know.)
How many of you know who Cesar E. Chavez was? (If a significant number of hands raise move on to the quote. If there is little to no knowledge, provide a brief explanation, see Prompt.)
Prompt – The facilitator may want to say something like: “Cesar was a migrant farm worker who believed in social justice for all people so he set out to organize and empower people to help themselves. He’s most widely know for co-founding the first successful farm worker union in U.S. history, the United Farm Workers of America, but his struggle and ideals transcend any one movement or cause. During the 1950s he worked for the Community Service Organization promoting civic participation in barrios and communities throughout California. He was a strong proponent of non-violent social action and helped to bring about monumental changes in the lives of farm workers and all working people across the United States. Under Cesar’s leadership the Farm Worker Movement changed the face of American society by empowering one of the poorest, least educated sectors of our country.
Cesar once said:
“I've always maintained that it isn't the form that's going to make the difference. It isn't the rule or the procedure or the ideology, but it's human beings that will make it."
Discussion I – Your reactions – (You may want to conduct this session as a “Quaker dialogue” in which you go around the circle and give everyone a chance to briefly explain their reaction to the quote with no questions or comments. Those not willing to speak or wanting a bit more time can simply pass. Explain that you wish to leave a few seconds of silence after each speaker to give people a chance to reflect briefly on what they have heard. The facilitator may want to begin to model the response and to give participants a bit more opportunity to think through their response.)
Prompt – The facilitator might say something like: “What are your reactions to this quote? In what ways do you agree with Cesar’s statement? In what ways do you disagree?”
Recap – Recap some of the major points that were made regarding the quote. Some reactions may include, “the power of people is the most powerful vehicle for social change, politicians can’t change society alone, we need to hold our politicians accountable to the needs of the community, it is our obligation and responsibility to be active in our communities.”
Discussion II – Making a Difference in the Community – (You may want to continue in the “Quaker dialogue” fashion if it is working for the group or you may want to break up into small groups to allow for a more free flowing discussion, ensuring that all participants respect each others views and have the opportunity to be fully heard before someone else is allowed to comment. Be sure to capture ideas and opinions on a flip chart or chalkboard to allow participants to fully digest and reflect on what is being said.)
Prompt – I want to remind everyone that we are all here to respect one another’s ideas and view points not to develop consensus, necessarily so please refrain from any personal attacks and sly remarks. In the quote Cesar mentions that it will be human beings that make a difference in our world not ideologies, rules, or procedures. What does it mean to you to make a difference in your life, your community, and the world? When you think of an ideal community what do you envision?
Recap - Recap some of the major points that were made regarding the quote. Some reactions may include, “To make a difference in the community means to work with others to better their lives and my own. To make a difference means to empower young people into action. To make a difference means to work with others to get a quality education. To make a difference means to work toward peace and justice.”
Discussion III – What can we do? - (You may want to break up into small groups to allow for a more free flowing discussion and brainstorm session, ensuring that all participants respect each others views and have the opportunity to be fully heard before someone else is allowed to comment. Make sure each group has a recorder.)
Prompt – The facilitator might want to break the group up according to their interests. The facilitator might say something like: “Now we’re going to break up into small groups and talk about ways in which we can make a difference in our communities. Those of you interested in politics can come together over here, those interested in education can come over here, those interested in campus-community issues can meet over here, and those interested in art, music, and other forms of expression to advocate for social change can meet over here, are there any others that I may have missed. Let’s take about 15-20 minutes to brainstorm ideas about how we can use what we’re already interested in doing to make a difference in our communities. Let’s try to develop 2 or 3 ideas to share with larger group. If you all want to combine some of the groups for a more dynamic discussion we can do that too.”
When the larger group comes back together have each of the smaller groups present their ideas to make a difference in the community. Record ideas on a flip chart paper or a chalkboard to allow participants to fully digest and reflect on each of the ideas.
Wrap Up/Action
Review the ideas briefly and ask students to think about ways some of these ideas can combine or support one another. If there are still a lot of ideas on the board talk to students about what they see as being a good first step in taking action. Ask participants if they would be willing to attend a follow-up meeting to develop an action plan for this new idea(s), ask them if they would be willing to contact other organizations both campus and community that would be willing to join the discussions, ask them if they would be willing to bring at least one other person to the next meeting. Try and schedule a meeting date.
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Raise Your Voice is
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