GrassRoots Organizing Workshops (GROW)

Every year ROSC helps organize and financially support a weekend-long gathering that offers workshops focused on the fundamentals of community organizing. The goal of GROW is to create a culture of organizing as the way to create change and build grassroots power in the state. The theme every year rotates between Skills, Tactics, and Strategies. These gatherings also offer a lot of breathing room for reflection, art, and creativity.

In 2024, GROW will be hosted at the Pilgrim Lodge in Central Wabanaki territory aka West Gardiner, ME, October 4th - 6th.
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/szcTFdAidGUYumni6

SCHEDULE FOR 2024 GROW:

FRIDAY, Oct 4th:

11:30am-12:30pm = Registration opens

12:30pm-1:30pm = Opening circle

1:45pm-4:45pm = Organizing 101/102

OR

1:45pm-4:45pm = Creating Art for Healing and Meaningful Change

5pm-6pm = Dinner

6pm-6:30pm = Free Time or Guided activity

6:30pm-8:30pm = Going For It (community building & open mic)

8:30pm-End of Night = Community Campfire <3

SATURDAY, Oct 5th:

8am-9am = Breakfast

9am-9:30am = Announcements & Icebreakers <3

9:30am-11:30am = Wabanaki History and Land Acknowledgements

11:30am-12:30pm = Free Time, Guided Activity, or Boating/Swimming

12:30pm-1:30pm = Lunch

1:30pm-2pm = Free Time, Guided Activity, or Boating/Swimming

2pm-4pm = Moving Collective Grief through The Work that Reconnects

OR

2pm-4pm = How to Make Zines

4pm-5:30pm = Free Time, Guided Activity, or Boating/Swimming

5:30pm-6:30pm = Dinner

6:30pm-7pm = Free Time or Guided Activity

7pm-End of Night = Going For It Pt 2 (deepening community building & open mic)

SUNDAY, Oct 6th:

7:30am-8:30am = Breakfast

8:30am-9am = Announcements and Ice Breakers <3

9:15am-11:15am = Direct Action Tactics & Strategies

OR

9:15am-11:15am = Year in Review of Ceasefire Activism and Coalition Building

11:15am-11:45am = Free Time & Packing Up

11:45am-12:15pm = Evaluations and GROW planning for next year

12:15pm = Closing Circle and Bagged Lunch

Activities and other offerings this year will also focus on:

-Naloxone training

-Making upcycled tie dye t-shirts

-Nervous System Support and Care Practices

-Collaborative Art Activities

-Guided Labyrinth Walk

-Searching for Constellations

-Fiber Arts

-GROW Weekend Library w/various Movement Literature and handouts

-Clothing Swap

-Mind Mapping Exercises

-Community Art Gallery

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What does it cost?

We ask people to pay 0-$100 for each day of GROW. All are welcome no matter what you are able to pay. If you and your family don’t have a lot of money, feel free to pay on the lower end or pay nothing. If you and your family have more money, please consider paying more and taking part in class solidarity.

What is class solidarity?

Class refers to where you and your family fit into the world regarding finances (for example: poor, working class, middle class, wealthy). GROW is put together on a shoestring budget so we can make sure it is accessible to all. If you and your family are people who can pay more for you to go to the GROW so others can pay less, please consider doing so. If you do so, you will be taking an action of solidarity and making GROW more accessible for people who cannot afford to pay much.

No matter what you pay for the GROW, there is no judgment. Pay what you can but most importantly come!

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