What is the essential strategy in community organizing work?

Community immersion is critical in community organizing work because it involves deep engagement with the community, allowing organizers to build trust, understand the local culture, and identify the specific needs and strengths of the community. This hands-on approach helps organizers to connect with individuals on a personal level, gather firsthand information, and foster relationships that are essential for effective collaboration and mobilization.

By immersing themselves in the community, organizers can observe dynamics, hear the voices of community members, and appreciate the context in which the community operates. This rich insight helps in tailoring strategies and interventions that are genuinely relevant and empowering for the community, leading to more sustainable outcomes.

While community planning, engagement, and assessment are also important components of the organizing process, they tend to occur after or in conjunction with the immersion phase. Understanding the community deeply through immersion lays the groundwork for productive planning and engagement, ensuring that interventions are not only needed but also culturally appropriate and widely supported by community members.