HOW TO ORGANIZE AN EFFECTIVE CITIZENS' GROUP FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM (FROM SOURCE BOOK - CITIZEN ACTION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1978, BY D W DENTON AND J SPITZ - SEE NCJ-56111)

• NCJ Number: 56112
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Texas at Arlington
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION OF A CITIZEN'S GROUP AROUND A CRIME ISSUE, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES BASIC PRINCIPLES, ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNIQUES AND STRUCTURE, AND INTERACTION WITH BUREAUCRACIES.

Abstract

FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED TO ORGANIZE A SUCCESSFUL CITIZEN'S GROUP: PLANNING, PARTICIPATION, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE. IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ACTION IS RECOMMENDED: (1) ESTABLISH A CORE GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS TO HELP ORGANIZE THE CITIZEN'S GROUP; (2) GAIN SUPPORT FOR THE GROUP FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE BY CONTACTING LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS; (3) ORGANIZE A PUBLIC MEETING AS A METHOD OF REACHING A VARIETY OF CONCERNED CITIZENS (AN OUTLINE OF TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN AT THE MEETING IS INCLUDED). NEXT, A FORMAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE SHOULD BE FORMED INCLUDING THE ELECTION OF TEMPORARY OFFICERS; ADOPTION OF WRITTEN BYLAWS; FILING OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, A STATE DOCUMENT VERIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF THE GROUP; OBTAINING TAX EXEMPTION STATUS FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IF ANY MAJOR FUNDRAISING WILL OCCUR; AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR AFFILIATION WITH A LARGER GROUP. FINALLY, SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR DEALING WITH BUREAUCRACIES, SUCH AS NOT ACCEPTING CONVENIENT EXCUSES, REQUESTING DETAILS OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, AND LOCATING STALEMATES. THE FOLLOWING ARE ATTACHED TO THE ARTICLES: A SAMPLE NOTICE OF A MEETING LETTER, A SAMPLE ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION LETTER, A SAMPLE VOLUNTEER SHEET, AND SAMPLE BYLAWS. (WJR)