Decision Criteria for Outside Asks

We want to use our collective capacity to work for justice. This also means knowing our limits and our capacity, so that that we can focus our energies in an effective manner. These points try to cover the concepts we use to decide about outside asks, like attending or publicizing an event or action, or joining a campaign or coalition, for example. These are not necessarily completely hard and fast rules, but they are criteria that goes into those decisions.

When we are on the receiving end of an ask, there are some key things we will want to know in order to guide our decisions:

  • Is it coming from an organization/group?

  • Is that group both led by and directly organizing for impactful systemic change for Black, Indigenous, and people of color?

  • Is that group accountable to a base of directly affected people?

  • What is the nature of the relationship we are being asked to enter into? Is it long or short term? Will we be at the decision-making table? Are we being asked to engage in consistent and regular action? What is the role of solidarity allies in the ask?

Partnerships

Did the request come from one of our Accountability Partners? Generally, our first priorities are to our existing Accountability Partners. We're building those relationships by being reliable and showing up, and that means those partnerships have a higher priority. On the flip side, we should also consider if the request is not from a Partner, will this connection harm our relationship with our existing partners.

Basebuilding and Leadereship

Will this help with base building? Can we use this action or event or campaign to recruit new members, build our internal leadership skills and to strengthen our relationships with one another?

Scope and Capacity

How big is the ask? How many people do we need to turn out for this to be meaningful? Do we have the capacity right now? Do we have people and resources that we can commit to this ask, given anything else we're working on at the time, who is available, etc. Is this a heavy lift for us? How easily can we turn people out?

Are we educated enough to show up well? Is this a topic we're comfortable speaking about, at least to some degree, and do we know what to watch out for?  Is it related to ongoing campaign issues? Given any campaigns we're actively working on, or planning to get involved with soon, does this ask fit with other work we're doing?

Campaigns and Knowledge

Does this move power? Does this action change dynamics or narratives? A shift in power can look like changes in structure or gaining more clout for SURJ and our current accountability partners.

Shift Power

Does it move toward justice in a direct and tangible way? Will it be a “real improvement” for people? Does it create meaningful change? Meaningful change is material and emotional, not just intellectual. Will this change be truly felt in the community?

Impact

Is it winnable? Note that we often do say yes to things we know we may not win right now but showing up in a big way can start to shift power for next time.

Winnable