WADE RATHKE is the founder of ACORN, Chief Organizer at ACORN International, and Author of "Nuts & Bolts", "Citizen Wealth", "Global Grassroots", and "The Battle for the 9th Ward".
Berkeley This may not have been on the top of your list, but when organizers, young or old, get together informally to catch up and have a cup of coffee, you might wonder what they talk about? Maybe not? They talk about organizing. Who is doing it? Who isn’t? What’s the same? What’s different? …
New Orleans There’s no question. A dues-based organizing model for community organizations and informal worker associations is a tough road to follow, even if all of the other variables are great. Members pay for the organization; therefore, it’s theirs in ownership, participation, and governance. This was the path that ACORN has travelled for …
Pearl River When I think of animal rights two things come to mind. One is the argument made by philosopher and advocate Paul Singer, whose books I have read, that make the case that they are sentient beings at many levels and deserving of attention and care for that reason. The other is PETA, …