Home » Leadership Development » Principles of Community Organizing

Principles of Community Organizing

principles of community organizing

Applications to participate in 2022 POCO are closed

2023 Principles of Community Organizing Trainings

We’re tentatively planning on hosting three Principles of Community Organizing (POCO) Trainings in 2023. One will be a virtual training in late winter. The other two will be hosted in-person across the Mountain West. These trainings will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish.

Click here to receive updates on the 2023 POCO series

POCO Updates

Train for change with Principles of Community Organizing Training

Join community organizers and grassroots leaders in WORC’s Principles of Community Organizing (POCO) Training Session. WORC is conducting only ONE of these nationally-recognized trainings this summer.  This introductory, four-day workshop covers the most important skills for organizers and leaders of grassroots community organizations.

“Learn the lost art of leveraging your effectiveness by mobilizing others. Plus, a first-class focus on strategy, assessment, and tools for success.” – Jim Pissot, WildCanada Conservation Alliance

WORC’s Principles of Community Organizing training develops the skills of leaders and staff to build powerful organizations and launch winning issue campaigns. The hands-on workshop covers the basics of leadership, fundraising, organizational development, and community organizing.

This four-day training will sharpen your knowledge of and skills in…

  • Why grassroots organizing is effective
  • Roles of members and staff
  • Membership recruitment
  • Developing an issue campaign
  • Planning and taking actions
  • What makes a healthy organization
  • Leadership development
  • Building strong public relationships
  • Working with the media
  • Running good meetings
  • Grassroots fundraising

Using small group activities, videos, role plays, 1-1 exercises and open discussions, WORC’s experienced trainers engage participants in a lively, interactive, and participatory learning environment. More than 1,000 people have graduated from POCO over the last 30 years, and POCO is recognized as one of the best community organizing trainings offered anywhere in the country.

Who Should Apply:

Ideal applicants come from all walks of life, from professional organizers and campaigners looking to put their work into the context of a developed community organizing tradition and practices, to beginners who are passionate about organizing and want to start their learning journey.

Tuition for this workshop is $100 for approved members of WORC’s member organizations and $500 for non-WORC participants. Tuition does not include travel, meals, or lodging.

“Just a few days after returning from the workshop, I had the opportunity to do my first large-donor ask. The result was a $750 donation to Dakota Rural Action. Because of my experience at this workshop, I feel I will be able to continue my fundraising work for DRA with this same level of comfort and confidence.”  – Wyatt Urlacher, member