Welcome

We are the place where progressive organizers come to be trained not only in the skills of making social change – recruitment, meetings with elected officials, building powerful organizations – but also to learn to think strategically, to think like an organizer.

 

One place to start is with Organizing for Social Change, the Midwest Academy’s manual, which is used by community groups worldwide, as well as hundreds of colleges and universities.

 

Many organizations send all their organizers through our five-day session, also called Organizing for Social Change, where they can network with other progressive organizers while learning, practicing, or refreshing their skills as agents of grassroots change. 

 

Our newest session, the Midwest Academy Advanced Strategy Seminar, provides an opportunity for experienced organizers to spend two and a half days crafting an issue campaign strategy for their organization. Advanced strategy development presentations alternate with work sessions and opportunities to critique and be critiqued by other dedicated progressive organizers.

 

Been around long enough to be kicked upstairs to supervise organizers? Come to our two and a half day Workshop for Supervisors of Organizers and spend some concentrated time thinking through the best practices for developing and nurturing newer organizers, getting the most out of the staff you have, and building powerful organizations.

 

Our paid summer internship program provides a real experience in community organizing for college students and other young people interested in gaining concrete skills and experience and exploring a career in social justice work.

 

We also provide consulting and onsite training, including elements of each of our sessions listed above, plus strategic planning, organizational development, executive director coaching, strategic issue campaign planning, etc. From a few hours at a conference to one or two day trainings or weeklong sessions, or ongoing consultation, we will design a program to meet the needs of your organization.

 

We work with a wide variety of organizations using an array of organizing models, but all seeking to engage the democratic processes to bring about economic, racial, environmental and social justice. For neighborhood associations to city-wide, state-wide, and national organizations, the Midwest Academy provides practical training that helps your group win concrete improvements in people’s lives, gives people a sense of their own power, and alters the relations of power in our society where too much power is concentrated in the hands of too few.

 

We look forward to working with you.

 

In solidarity,

 

Judy Hertz

Executive Director