The Model

The Model 

The Consensus Organizing Model is a fluid model which does not have a 1, 2, 3 step by step process, however, is something that you are constantly processing. Think of it as the lens which you view the world through and everything you view is through this lens. Over 30 years ago, he Model branched off from conflict organizing dating back to Saul Alinsky. Today, with the structure provided by an institution has blossomed into a type of community organizing utilized all throughout the country.Some of the fundamental components include: mutual self-interest and social capital.

Mutual self-interest –

Social Capital 

- there are many forms of capital, human, economic, physical etc., however, social capital is all about relationships and the strength between them. The stronger the social capital the stronger the relationship. Social capital can be with in a group, neighborhood, work place or community; any where people interact with one another. Most of us at the Center first learned about this idea when we took one of Professor Eichler’s classes and he spoke about Robert Putnam and his book ‘Bowling Alone’. This book explains how social capital in the United States has been on the decline for the last 30-40 years.