Winning In The Wilderness | Mobilization and Long-Term Organizing

“Balancing urgency with the long game is where movements are made or broken.” – Nsé Ufot

In states like Georgia, where political challenges feel unrelenting, advocates must navigate the tension between immediate mobilization and sustaining long-term organizing efforts. This plenary session features Nsé Ufot of the New Georgia Project, a visionary leader in organizing and democracy reform.   

Powerful Moments:

• “We continue to advance and move towards the ultimate goal, being nimble enough to respond to, intermediate attacks and intermediate distractions” Panelists emphasized the need for discipline in identifying distractions and moving accordingly.  
• “We can’t lie to people about what it takes to win.” Setting realistic expectations while holding the vision for systemic change is crucial to building trust with communities. 
• “Local powers where it’s at.” Speakers stressed the importance of local elections and governance in creating meaningful, community-driven change and motivating people around us. 

This conversation illuminated strategies to balance responsiveness with sustainability, ensuring movements stay grounded while navigating an ever-changing landscape and being aware how to keep our communities engaged. 

Calls to Action: 

• Stay Grounded: Commit to supporting organizations that prioritize long-term organizing efforts while addressing immediate challenges. 
• Act Locally: Register to vote in upcoming local elections and connect with grassroots groups in your community to sustain power-building efforts. 
• Spread Awareness: Share this session with peers to highlight the importance of balancing mobilization and organizing in creating sustainable movements.