In Kern County (CA), we’re trying something new.
If we believe Kern County’s current elected officials and corporate power, it’s one of the most conservative places in California. (Yes, there are some.)
It’s the heart of California’s petroleum industry.
Big Ag reigns supreme.
And it’s the home of Kevin McCarthy. Yes. *that* Kevin McCarthy.
Like many communities, the people who currently hold power are not always aligned with the people.
Kern is full of working people, immigrants, and others who struggle under systemic burdens of corporate domination, racism, classism, and other impositions of dominant power.
That’s why I am so excited to work with leaders, members and staff of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 to lay the foundation for relational power in Kern County.
In an earlier exploratory meeting, members identified three problems we need to solve in order for their families to thrive: healthcare, education and training for good jobs.
Over the next year, we’ll bring people together, build relationships, identify new leaders and learn about power in the region.
We’ll refine the problems into the issues that are most widely and deeply felt and create a strategy to win for working people, their families and their communities.
But we’ll do more than win.
We’ll build power.
Last week, we kicked off the campaign with a strategy meeting of long-time member leaders, new leaders and staff.
We know that a transformation won’t happen overnight. We know that it doesn’t happen in one year. But we’re laying the foundation.
For updates, follow @OrganizingtoWin on social media.
If you want to learn more about this campaign – and how it might apply to your organization’s impact next year – use the contact form to get in touch!
