sustainable activism
Joanna Macy’s “Welcome to all Beings”
Articles and resources on experiential group work relating to deep ecology, despair and empowerment.
Activist trauma
A site primarily for political activists who may be injured during or by their political activities and or struggling with other mental health issues related to activism.
Engaging With the ‘Dark Side’
From Avigail Abarbanel’s website, this article explores issues of overwhelm encountered by activists and some ways to develop self-care.
Dealing with or preventing burnout in activist work
Neil Wollman provides hints which focus on actions or mental attitudes you can cultivate to prevent or deal with burnout.
Strategic questioning: An approach to creating personal and social change
Strategic questioning is the skill of asking the questions that will make a difference. It is a powerful tool for personal and social change. It is a tool for giving service to any issue … as it helps people discover their own strategies and ideas for...
Active hope: how to face the mess we’re in without going crazy
Active Hope is about finding, and offering, our best response to the crisis of sustainability unfolding in our world. It offers tools that help us face the mess we’re in, as well as find and play our role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a...
Soul of a citizen: living with conviction in challenging times
“Each year in my Citizen Advocacy and Social Movements class, students are looking for reasons to believe change is possible, that activism is worth the effort, and that ‘ordinary people’ like themselves can make a difference. I give copies of Soul to every new...
Burnout Rating Scale
A terrific resource from Katrina Shield’s book In the Tiger’s Mouth, this worksheet helps you determine how burnout prone your or your organisation might be so you can start taking action now!
Rating scale: How burnout prone is your organisation?
A questionnaire for group members to spark reflection, dialogue and action
Rating Scale: How well does your group empower its members?
A questionnaire for group members to complete and discuss.
Sustaining self-care
A workshop that allows participants to reflect about sustainability (self-care, to practice techniques for long-term sustainability, and increase awareness of what balances them (and what depletes their energy).
Support groups and sustainable activism
An assortment of resources developed by Katrina Shields to promote sustainable activism: among other things describing the importance of establishing support/accountability groups and how to get them to work effectively. Contact us for copies of Katrina’s...
Vision, hope for change and sustainable activism
Collated by Holly Hammond, a collection of worksheets for some personal reflection on your activism, strategies for greater sustainability and other food for thought.
Pacing Yourself for the Journey
‘How to Avoid Burnout and Thrive while Working to Change the World’ – a terrific resource developed by Berit Lakey; George Lakey, Rod Napier, and Janice Robinson.
Webs of power: notes from the global uprising
“Since her arrest and five-day jail stay during the Seattle anti-WTO protests in November 1999, Starhawk has poured her energy into the global justice movement, participating in direct actions, leading nonviolence training workshops, and writing, always writing....
Heart politics revisited
“Heart politics revisited” is part autobiography, part manifesto, and it dares to dream about a new politics with people at the center. “Heart Politics Revisited” is a new and expanded edition of the classic 1985 handbook for activists....
Resource manual for a living revolution
An all time favourite of activist educators. Nicknamed ‘the Monster Manual’ this trainers’ manual made a big impact in Australian social change movements during the 1970s when it was used by trainers during the Franklin dam blockade. Coover and her...