Philosophy
Organizing Principles
Meet People Where They Are
Organizing is not about convincing people they are wrong. It is about finding shared material interests and building collective power from there. Listen more than you talk. The working class already knows it is being exploited — your job is to name it together.
Every Door Is a Relationship
You are not selling something. You are beginning a relationship that may take months or years to bear fruit. Treat every interaction as if it matters — because it does. Movements are built one conversation at a time.
Your Story Is Your Power
Data does not move people. Stories do. The most effective organizers connect their personal experience to the larger class struggle and invite others to see themselves in it. Your life under capitalism is not a private problem — it is a political one.
Build the Team, Not Just the List
A thousand names on a spreadsheet is not a movement. A hundred people who trust each other, show up consistently, and act in solidarity is. Invest in relationships. The strength of the collective is the only power the working class has.
Sustain Yourself for the Long Haul
Burnout is the enemy of revolutionary movements. Rest, boundaries, and mutual care are not luxuries — they are strategy. Capitalism wants you exhausted and isolated. Collective care is an act of resistance.
Power Concedes Nothing Without Demand
Frederick Douglass said it best. Know what you are demanding, who has the power to concede it, and what it will take to force their hand. Be specific. Be persistent. Be organized. The ruling class does not give — it is made to.
Organizer Toolkit
Download & Use
29 resources — filter by category or search by keyword
Housing Justice
Tenant Organizing
Tenant organizing is distinct from electoral or voter-contact work. It is rooted in building power among people who share a landlord, a building, or a neighborhood — and using that collective power to win better conditions, fight displacement, and hold property owners accountable. These resources are specific to that work.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Tenant Organizing Toolkit
A comprehensive guide to organizing tenants in Phoenix — from building relationships with your neighbors to running a tenant association, negotiating with landlords, and escalating when they refuse to listen. Tenant power is built unit by unit, floor by floor, building by building. This toolkit shows you how.
- How tenant organizing differs from electoral and community organizing
- Starting a tenant association in your building or complex
- Mapping your building and identifying potential leaders on every floor
- Running effective tenant meetings and keeping people engaged
- Documenting habitability issues and building a paper trail
- Escalation tactics: petitions, rent strikes, media, and legal action
- Phoenix-specific resources: tenant rights hotlines, legal aid, and housing orgs
This is not legal advice. The toolkit covers organizing strategy and tactics. For individual legal questions about your tenancy, eviction, or lease, contact a licensed attorney or a Phoenix-area tenant legal aid organization.
Campaign Math
Win Number Worksheet
Spreadsheet Tool
Calculate Your Win Number
Opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc.
Your win number is the minimum number of votes, signatures, or commitments you need to win a campaign — and knowing it changes everything. Without it, organizing feels infinite. With it, you have a target, a timeline, and a way to measure whether your program is on track. This spreadsheet walks you through the math so you can set a real goal and build a field plan to hit it.
- Calculate the exact number of votes or commitments needed to win
- Factor in turnout models, universe size, and persuasion targets
- Break your win number down into weekly and daily field goals
- Adjust assumptions and instantly see how your target changes
- Use as a planning tool for elections, ballot measures, or petition drives
Note: This worksheet is a planning tool, not a guarantee. Win numbers are estimates based on historical turnout and modeled universes. Adjust your assumptions as your campaign data improves. When in doubt, organize to a higher number than you think you need.
Electoral Power
Running for Office
A practical guide covering what you need to know about running for office — from filing requirements and petition gathering to campaign finance reporting and election deadlines. Whether you're running for city council, school board, state legislature, or any other office, this is your starting point.
- Filing requirements and deadlines for all Arizona offices
- Nominating petition signature thresholds by office and district
- Campaign finance registration and reporting obligations
- Candidate qualifications and residency requirements
- Primary and general election timelines for 2026
Requirements and deadlines vary by office and jurisdiction. Always verify current information with your local election authority before filing.