Thanks to the leadership of INCITE! and all those involved in the Revolution Will Not Be Funded Conference, social justice activists and organizers have begun to put into words a critique of the non-profit industrial complex (NPIC). Much of this conversation has rightly focused on the influence of foundations. The 501(c)3 model can also limit organized resistance when staff unintentionally become bottlenecks to movement building or when the legal and financial controls placed upon and transmitted through boards has a conservatizing effect on organizations and movements.

In this workshop we will discuss what structures ( in addition to non-profits) can work to create fundamental social change in the US. Drawing on the democratic traditions and lessons of the civil rights movement, women’s liberation, and anti-nuclear movement, and recent examples from affinity groups of the anti-globalization movement, we will look at what an alternative organizing model and practice for revolution in the US could look like that is based on socially just, grassroots, small group democracy. While many of us support the idea of building an anti-oppressive, democratic, vibrant and creative mass social movement, the real question is how. We will explore these questions and present the Creating Democracy model as one way to create a structure that could build on these principles.

Discussion will include the following:

* What’s the problem with non-profits? Briefly reviewing current critiques of the NPIC and highlighting lessons from INCITE! conference

* Past movements…A quick look back in order to move forward, drawing from:
- Freedom is an Endless Meeting by Francesca Poletta
- Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement by Barbara Ransby

*Creating Democracy model: a proposal for review
- Small groups and limits of participation
- Small Group Democracy/Affinity Groups as a democratic mass movement organizing model
- Oppression/Privilege and democracy

Living Model: The second half of the workshop will role play how the Creating Democracy model could work. Participants will group into pairs of 2 representing a small group of 20 (1 person = 10 people). One of the members of the small group will represent the group at the next level up also comprised of 2 people (20 people) and so on to represent how small group decision-making could work to include a large number of people. The group will take a sample test proposal and work it through the structure.

Debrief: Critique and possibilities for applying in local communities. What makes sense and what does not? Identify key questions and possible next steps.

The workshop will be presented in English and translation assistance will be needed if the workshop is accepted. Handouts will be provided in English. Ideally this workshop will complement Left Turn and INCITE!’s NPIC workshops. This session will focus on alternative models and structures and less on deepening the critique of 501(c)3.