The Other Oldest Profession

By Vivian Rothstein, Deputy Director, LAANE
June 30, 2011

It’s one of the oldest professions in the world and doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Barack Obama was one and many think Jesus Christ was as well. At LAANE we know we couldn’t do without our talented community organizers.

You might not know what organizers do exactly but you do know when one worked her magic on you. You find yourself finally speaking out about an injustice that has been gnawing at you forever, circulating a petition calling for a change you strongly believe in…or sometimes even marching down the street.

A good organizer seeks out and gets to know the community members who are trusted by their neighbors and friends and known to come through on their commitments. The organizer describes an innovative plan to achieve the change the residents want and need and inspires people to lend their help. And through involvement the community member becomes stronger, more confident and more effective.

Coalitions of local leaders are the strength behind each of LAANE’s projects, helping articulate the economic reforms we are proposing, influencing decision makers and attracting new activists. Each coalition member has been recruited by a charismatic and inspiring young organizer who helped move that person to action.

I know because I was contacted by a LAANE organizer in 1996, and I’ve been involved with LAANE ever since. If it hasn’t already, it could happen to you too.