Here's how you can build credibility and trust with new contacts in the Community Organizing field.

Active listening is a powerful tool for building trust and fostering meaningful connections in community work. By maintaining eye contact, using open-ended questions, avoiding interruptions, paraphrasing, and showing empathy, we can demonstrate that we truly value others' perspectives. This approach not only helps us gather valuable insights but also signals that we are committed to working collaboratively and prioritizing the voices of all community members. By practicing active listening, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

La escucha activa es la siguiente: • Fomenta la empatía y la comprensión. • Ayuda a identificar necesidades y prioridades. • Facilita la resolución de conflictos y la búsqueda de soluciones conjuntas. • Demuestra respeto y valoración por la diversidad de opiniones. • Establece un precedente para la comunicación abierta y honesta. • Construir confianza y credibilidad. • Desarrollar estrategias efectivas para abordar problemas comunitarios. • Fomentar la participación y el compromiso de la comunidad. • Crear un ambiente inclusivo y respetuoso. Es de suma importancia de la escucha activa como herramienta fundamental para generar confianza, fomentar la colaboración y construir relaciones sólidas en el trabajo comunitario.

Through my experience in community organizing, I’ve found that certain key principles significantly enhance connection and mobilization efforts: Listen Actively: Trust begins with genuine listening to others’ perspectives and concerns. Share Stories: Storytelling fosters a deeper connection and mutual understanding, encouraging collaboration. Be Consistent: Consistency in actions and communication builds long-term reliability and trust. Offer Support: Providing resources and help shows investment in collective well-being, not just personal goals. Cultivate Partnerships: Building mutually beneficial relationships strengthens community impact and shared power.

Primero ser bastante claros, asertivos, comunicando objetivos que se persiguen para no crear falsas expectativas. Luego, escuchar de manera activa, para entender preocupaciones y necesidades, empatizar. Pensar en establecer relaciones y no simples contactos, tejiendo vínculos a largo plazo, a través de un trabajo colaborativo y comprometido, que trascienda lo casual. Finalmente, considerar que los resultados estén a la vista, que sean concretos y en beneficio de la comunidad, que se respire compromiso, establecer canales de comunicación permanentes y transparentar todas tus actividades y resultados.

A escuta ativa, ou escutar de fato para entender, está sob a categoria de escuta empática. A escutava ativa / escuta empática ajuda a criar relações sólidas, ter um entendimento mais profundo dos seus amigos e colegas, e ainda desenvolve o seu senso de empatia. A escuta ativa é fundamental para travarmos conversas mais profundas e envolventes. Aqueles que prestam total atenção ao que a outra pessoa está dizendo, e evitam interromper a fala ou planejar respostas, desenvolvem habilidades comunicativas mais eficazes. Acredito piamente que não aprendermos a ouvir, pois o processo educacional tal como se encontra é falho Salientando que a escuta ativa é uma habilidade que precisa ser desenvolvida para que possamos manter relações saudáveis

Sustainable Agriculture is the way to go for food sovereignty and security. This can be achieved by putting on more efforts on Permaculture, organic farming and doing Agribusiness. The population of Kenya is growing, and people need to step up on Agriculture, it would be advisable if we put more resources and efforts towards achieving this goal. Linking farmers to farm inputs and at affordable prices might encourage farmers to explore more innovative ways towards sustainable Agriculture.

Active Listening is probably the most important skill for an organizer or any development person. To be clear, active listening isn't just about hearing and comprehending what is said, but communicating interest in what the other person is saying. An easy and natural way to do this is to tilt your head slightly while listening, and to nod when the person you're talking to is speaking. I can't tell you how many organizers and canvassers I've seen drop this skill because they are focused on producing results or satisfying a quota. The problem is that your perspective volunteer, donor, or partner can sense that and knows that their voice is not a priority to you.

I agree with active listening and have also found it beneficial to be honest and assertive not aggressive to keep the line of communication open.

A clear example of how to build credibility and trust can be found in the neighborhood assemblies that emerged in Argentina after the 2001 crisis. In this context, many neighbors, previously strangers, began meeting to discuss common issues such as unemployment and lack of basic services. To gain the trust of new members, the assemblies encouraged inclusive dialogue, where everyone had the right to speak and participate. However, not everyone felt comfortable doing so. To facilitate participation, they created smaller, specialized committees, allowing those with less experience or first-time attendees to express their ideas in a more secure, close-knit environment.

In Chris Matthew’s book, The Hardball Handbook, he claims not only is all politics local, but it was a listening tour across the world that solidified the Clinton Legacy.

Um dos grandes problemas da humanidade na minha opinião são as relações pouca humanas. As relações humanas tal como se encontram estão literalmente desumanizando os seres humanos. As pessoas estão a cada dia mais superficiais, por consequência os laços humanos estão fragilizados. Precisamos urgentemente repensar as relações humanas, pois do contrário nos tornaremos pessoas ainda mais individualistas, e artificiais. O fato é que não estamos dando valor as coisas que de fato tem valor. Os interesses estão acima de tudo, e de todos. Como líder comunitário percebo o quanto as pessoas estão distantes umas das outras, bem como não estão dispostas a pensar em prol do coletivo.

I see this on my Facebook posts, people take me more seriously when my story is from the heart and my struggles are honest. Adding struggle over choices and policies shows true leadership.

Sharing personal stories can be a powerful tool for building trust and credibility in community organizing. By being open and honest about your experiences, you create a more authentic and relatable image. When choosing stories to share, consider how they align with the values and goals of the community you're engaging with. Tailor your stories to the audience by using language and examples that resonate with them. Finally, employ effective storytelling techniques, such as using vivid imagery and creating a sense of suspense, to keep your audience engaged and interested. By sharing your personal journey, you can inspire others and strengthen your connection to the community.

I concur with the statement. I would like to add being consistent denotes reliability and steadfastness. Setting a standard lends itself to probable opportunities for mentorship for those endeavoring to emulate those that have paved a path which they are endeavoring to follow.

O processo de comunicação é importantíssimo, para não dizer que ele é a pedra angular das relações humanas, porém, infelizmente muitas pessoas não estão dispostas a ouvir e refletir a respeito do que ouviram. Muito se fala a respeito do analfabetismo funcional, mas, acredito piamente que o processo educacional tal como ele se encontra estamos formando “pessoas incapazes” de ouvir, e dialogar de maneira coerente. Sabemos o que falamos, mas não sabemos o que os outros entenderam. De nada adianta uma comunicação impecável se os ouvintes, não estão dispostos a ouvir e refletir. Acredito que precisamos dar alguns passos para trás para rever questões como essa.

Consistency is essential for building trust and credibility in community organizing. To maintain consistency, set realistic goals and avoid overcommitting yourself. Communicate openly and honestly with others to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Seek feedback from community members to identify areas where you can improve. By being reliable and following through on your commitments, you demonstrate that you are a trustworthy and dedicated community leader.

Being a resource to others is a powerful way to establish credibility and build trust in community organizing. By offering support, sharing knowledge, and stepping in when needed, you demonstrate your commitment to the community's well-being. This altruistic behavior can significantly enhance your reputation as a trustworthy organizer who is truly dedicated to collective empowerment and success. When you consistently go out of your way to help others, you create a positive impact and inspire others to do the same.

I think how we offer support is an important point missed by this list. Start by figuring out who your community really is, who the leaders are and who their supporting staff or volunteers are, and find a need you can reasonably fill. As a grassroots organizer I would offer support by helping people get involved. For instance, during the 2022 election cycle, we were still working from home, which meant a lot of our volunteers needed help with technology, so I organized additional trainings. As a donations specialist, I offer support by doing my best to become a library of resources and a reliable source of referrals for the businesses in my community. The best thing a new organizer can do is to take time to learn about their community.

Cultivating partnerships with established community members or organizations can be a powerful way to enhance your credibility. By seeking out mentors or allies who share your vision and have a respected standing in the community, you can benefit from their experience and endorsement. Their support can serve as a powerful testament to your character and intentions. Remember to approach potential partnerships with humility and a genuine desire for collaboration, rather than as a means to an end. By building strong relationships with established community leaders, you can expand your network, gain access to resources, and strengthen your impact

Ninguém sabe de tudo, somos e seremos eternos aprendizes. Quando de fato nos tornamos conscientes de nossas responsabilidades, passamos a dar ouvidos a tudo o que ouvimos, vemos, lemos, etc… Nem todas as críticas são construtivas, porém nenhuma crítica tem o poder de nos desestruturar, pois devemos separar o joio do trigo. Em uma sociedade a cada dia mais desumana, ou seja, de indivíduos desprovidos da capacidade de se colocar no lugar do outro, temos que considerar apenas aquilo que de fato procede com a realidade. Aprender a aprender, aprender a ouvir, aprender a desaprender, aprender a se colocar no lugar do outro, e aprender a nos adaptarmos Como Darwin disse: “O vencedor não será o mais forte, será aquele que melhor se adaptar”

Definitely! Reflection is a way to plan and re strategise, and adaptability creates sustainable pathways for new vision and creativity. Community's needs are flexible and spontaneous, therefore community managers, facilitators and leaders should be open minded on diverse needs, backgrounds, feedbacks and human reasoning.