Tent State University

Organizing Model

 

 

 

 

Third Edition 

 

 

 

Published on the occasion of the North East

Students for a Democratic Society Conference of February 2007.

 

www.tentstate.com

 

 

Dear Fellow Organizer,

 

So, where are we going and how are we getting there?

 

Student apathy is a myth. If we are going to fight student alienation we must take the time now to sit down, examine the situation and channel our energies towards collective movement building.

 

Let’s focus our thoughts on the most important goal we can accomplish together: Creating a sustainable mass student movement. Enough energy is exerted every year by radicals and revolutionaries to make this a reality. The formation of a national structure of Students for a Democratic Society provides an incredible opportunity to make sure that energy is channeled, focused, recorded, and shared. Unless we seize this possibility, our efforts will continue to be fragmented and weak.

 

When faced with overwhelming violence and oppression everyday, we feel a psychological need to rebel, to negate it, to insist that it must end, and to create a mass democratic revolution NOW. We won’t do this in a day, or a week. If we are serious about our cause we must have the discipline, the forethought, and the courage to begin laying the groundwork for the revolution today. Through the following organizing model, we are sharing our thoughts on what has worked for us; this model explains how we have decided to try to keep our own campus movements alive.

 

This model is based directly on experience of Tent State organizers. Much of this model is extremely helpful and relevant in almost all universities. However, this does not mean that you have to treat the model as a set of strict rules. Do not blindly follow this guide! This model must be used flexibly depending on each university’s environment. Only you (collectively) know what is best in your particular environment. Follow your wit, your gut, your brain, and your heart. You are about to embark on a transformative journey. Yet you are far from alone. Tent State University organizers from across the country are here for each other; supporting each other is a privilege and an honor.

 

Bon voyage…

 

Peace,

 

Tent State University Organizers

 

FOUNDATIONS

 

What is Tent State University?

 

Origins:

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