Civic Action Network

Building powerful, knowledgable leaders to win change is central to the mission of Community Renewal Society. Civic Action offers regular training opportunities for member congregations and outside leaders and organizations.

3 Day Organizing Training

Community Renewal Society's flagship 3 Day training teaches participants to understand key organizing principles, how their faith and values impact those principles, and how to build the skills and understanding to become an effective public leader and organizer for change. Presented in a highly interactive and agitational setting, this training will invite you to challenge your assumptions, expand your skills, and grow as a leader. Sessions include:

• The Melian Debate
• History and Priniciples of Organizing
• Values
• Relational Meetings
• Agitation
• Relational Meetings II
• Base Building and Leadership Development
• Cutting Issues
• Power Analysis
• Winning Actions
• Accountability
• Effective Meetings
• Campaign Building and Analysis

Our next trainings are are Thursday, February 21- Saturday, February 23 and Wednesday, June 26 – Friday, June 28. The training runs from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM the first two days and 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on the third day. The cost is only $300. Sponsored leaders from member congregations should contact their organizers for a discounted rate.  For more information contact Alex Wiesendanger, awiesendanger@communityrenewalsociety.org, (312) 673-3840.

Register for the February 21-23 Training.

Register for the June 26 - 28 Training.

Confronting Pharoah: A Congregational Justice Training

Offered to member congregations in two sessions of two and a half hours each, this training provides congregations with the basic skills to build relationships, power, and new justice ministries in their congregations. Civic Action staff will bring this training to congregations with at least 20 people ready to get trained.

Session I covers:

• Living Out the Gospel Call to Do Justice
• Understanding Power in Your Congregations
• Relational Meetings

Session II covers:

• Identifying Issues in Your Congregation or Community
• Creating Justice Ministries
• Building Relationships with Public Officials

Congregations should contact their local organizer if they are interested in hosting a training.