By Bob Vondrasek, Executive Director, South Austin Coalition Community Council, Chicago, IL

Well, you know you're an old organizer when you can't make it up the stairs when they shut down the elevators on a protest. And other organizers call you "sir". Forty years of organizing in Chicago and New York State qualifies as a "Lifer" in the organizing world and you get to write an advice and wisdom column for Disclosure. So here goes.

What are some of the issues and strategies that grassroots organizers and leaders should be addressing? Here are eight to think about.

1. Develop Relationships/Partnerships with Unions. Organized labor and grassroots community organizations need each other for support—on union organizing drives, living wage campaigns, public policy and legislation, and overall job issues. Examples: Hospital Accountability Projects, Wal-Mart Community Benefits Campaign in Chicago.

2. Check out Community Benefits Agreements. This is the Community Reinvestment tool of the current decade. When a development project is being planned for the `hood, get a signed agreement (contract) with the developer or store regarding hiring, non-interference on organizing a union, and support for community needs. Example: The Staples Center in L.A.

3. Expand the Issues You're Working On! Shame on you if you're not working on health and prescription drug issues in addition to the standards of housing, safety, and education. And what about youth development, jobs and utilities? Promote national issues at the local level in addition to bubbling up issues from the grassroots.

4. Set Up a 48 Hour Rapid Response Action Team. Are you ready to move into action quickly when the community or its people are disrespected or abused? In the last few months, SACCC has demonstrated at a local firehouse over racial slurs and at a local police station on police neglect, both within 48 hours of the incidents.

5. Litigate. We need to be lining up lawyers to file motions, appeals, and lawsuits to support our organizing work. One of our biggest victories at SACCC was a five-year battle on behalf of 148 homeowners ripped off by a sleazy realtor. A lawsuit filed by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law resulted in a $1.13 million settlement for the homeowners and federal prison time for the realtor.

6. Learn Best Practices. This is a nice term for stealing good ideas from other organizations around the country. Our biggest victory at SACCC in 1985 on statewide utilities was stolen from Ohio NPA groups. Currently, we are in the process of stealing ideas on employing ex-offenders from Rev. Tony Pierce of Central Illinois Organizing Project.

7. Show Us the Money. For most of us doing direct action organizing, raising money from foundations, corporations or government contracts usually has strings attached. Local fund-raising events, membership dues, lawsuit settlements, and contributions from unions are other options. Forming our own foundation for organizing, like the Gale Cincotta Foundation, is another good option, and we could also start payroll check-off to redirect labor and community contributions to groups doing real organizing.

8. A Tough Life. How's your personal life? Your significant other or spouse, and children or other family members? Ever have time to read any books? Ever feel sorry for yourself for the low pay and long hours? Community organizing is a tough gig, no doubt! But most of the normal people have jobs that are much tougher. Admit it, you love organizing. The satisfaction of stepping on big toes. Seeing regular people become experts on their issues. You'd do it even if you didn't get paid. And one thing more, don't call me, "sir".