The 5 Measures of a Movement
10min Read
really take for a movement to succeed? Intersectional justice, activism, and resistance are all terms used to describe specific political end goals, but their success hinges on the ability to create, and maintain, a thriving movement. It must grow, be nurtured, be trained, be shared, and be defended at all costs. Just as a garden requires water, soil, and nutrients to create strong roots for a bountiful harvest, a movement has its own needs to build a strong foundation. I believe that foundation rests upon five essential roles, interconnected and interdependent.
Navigators
Those coordinate action. Who does what, when, and how?
Engineers
Those who create the foundation. Who maintains the information network, who establishes documentation?
Teachers
Those who educate about the movement. Who trains new members and ensures that the resources and strategies are up to date?
As we go througheach role’s defining characteristics and core responsibilities, you may notice that the boundaries between them are not rigid. This is not a design flaw, but rather, an intentional feature. People don’t fit into neat little boxes, effective movements require varying degrees of flexibility, and healthy movements benefit from people that can contribute in multiple ways. The interconnectedness of the roles creates a more resilient and adaptable framework.
The importance of a comprehensive and well-though onboarding process. This process should provide new members with opportunities to explore different roles, understand how their own strengths align, and ultimately find their most effective place within the movement.
Navigators "Start with Why"
Navigators chart the course for the movement, adapt to changing circumstances, and make sure that actions align with the core vision.
Navigators understand the concept that “You can’t manage people. You can manage time and you can manage resources. But you can’t manage people”. Typically relying on more of a servant-leader approach, Navigators do their best work when setting the team up for success by ensuring clear communication, facilitating strategic alignment, and providing necessary support.
They work to develop a balanced perspective, striving to integrate long-term strategic vision with the demands of short-term tasks. While all roles’ core function is to work for the movement and it’s vision, the Navigator also works for each member of the organization. Their intimate understanding makes them a perfect fit for spokesperson.
Real world counterpart: Project Managers, Scrum Masters
Key Responsibilities:
- Articulating and Championing the Movement’s Vision: Navigators ensure that the movement’s Big 3 (Vision, Goals, Core Beliefs) are clearly defined, consistently communicated, and understood by all members.
- Facilitating Strategic Alignment: They work to fill all roles with individual whose strengths and skills best serve the movement’s needs, fostering collaboration
- Serving as a Primary Spokesperson: Navigators often act as the primary voice of the movement, communicating its message to the public and media.
- Mediating Conflict: They help resolve internal disputes and navigate external challenges, being sure that the movement remains unified and focused.
- Guiding, Not Dictating: Constantly assessing and adjusting course.
Engineers "Build the How"
Engineers are the operational backbone of the movement, building and maintaining the systems that it needs to function effectively.
With a focus on information and material management, they streamline processes, manage resources, and solve problems. From creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to coordinating logistics and implementing security protocols, Engineers facilitate a smooth and sustainable operation for the movement.
Real world counterparts: Event Planners, Logistics Coordinators, System Administrators
Key Responsibilities
- Developing and Maintaining Infrastructure: Creating and maintaining both physical and organizational systems, including communication networks, committees, and event logistics.
- Managing Resources: Acquiring, managing, and distributing materials, supplies, finances, and information.
- Creating and Maintaining Documentation: Developing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other documentation to ensure consistency, repeatability, and knowledge transfer.
- Responding to Needs: Acting as a point of contact, Engineers help coordinate information and resources to other members when needed.
- Ensuring Operational Security (OpSec): Implementing and maintaining security protocols to protect sensitive information, communications, and members. This includes promoting the use of secure communication tools (e.g., encrypted messaging), two-factor authentication (2FA), and best practices for data security.
Teachers "Equip the Who"
Teachers are the educators of the movement. By sharing knowledge and fostering growth in others, they ensure the sustainability of the movement’s vision and core beliefs.
They empower new and current members alike by providing a deep understanding of the movement’s history, goals, and strategies. Cultivating a strong foundation of shared understanding allows them to focus on delivering information clearly, and engagingly. The Teacher’s dedication to education directly fuels the movement’s growth and effectiveness.
Real world counterpart: Educators, Coaches, Onboarding Specialists
Key Responsibilities:
- Educating Members: Providing comprehensive training on the movement’s Big 3 (Vision, Goals, Core Beliefs), history, strategies, and practices.
- Developing and Curating Resources: Working with Engineers to make materials accessible and easily distributed, and with Navigators to create content that reflects the overall vision, Teachers develop and refine educational materials, including introductory classes, workshops, and online resources.
- Serving as a Welcoming Presence: Typically serving as the first impression for new members; Teachers set the tone for new members by providing a supportive, informative, and inclusive introduction to the movement
- Identifying and Nurturing Potential: By learning to recognize the talents and skills of individuals, they are able to guide members toward roles that align with their strengths and needs of the movement.
Firestarters "Expand the Reach"
Firestarters are the passionate advocates of the movement, igniting enthusiasm in others and expanding its reach.
They are compelling communicators, skilled at sharing the movement’s vision and inspiring others to take action. Through outreach, public speaking, and community engagement, Firestarters attract new members and build public support for the movement’s goals.
Real world counterparts: Public Relations Specialists, Community Organizers, Influencers
Key Responsibilities:
- Inspiring Action: Sharing the movement’’s vision and motivating others to participate.
- Expanding Reach: Engaging with the public through outreach, community events, and public speaking to attract new members, through genuine connection and shared values, and build support.
- Generating and Sharing Ideas: Collaborating with other roles to develop or refine new initiatives and strategies.
- Serving as a Spokesperson: Representing the movement in public forums, presentations, and media interactions.
- Focusing on Community Outreach: Building relationships and partnership with other individuals, organizations, and movements.
Nurturers "Sustain the Core"
Nurturers are the heart of the movement, fostering a strong sense of community and providing the emotional support that sustains its members.
They are skilled at recognizing and responding to the emotional needs of others, offering encouragement, understanding, and a sense of belonging. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, Nurturers help maintain morale and prevent burnout, thereby ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the movement.
Real world counterparts: Counselors, Community Organizers, Mentors
Key Responsibilities:
- Building Community: Fostering connections and a sense of belonging among members through activities and initiatives that promote interaction and mutual support.
- Providing Emotional Support: Offering encouragement, understanding, and a listening ear to members facing challenges or feeling discouraged.
- Rejuvenating Spirits: Helping members maintain their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment, especially during periods of intense effort or setbacks.
- Promoting Self-Care: Modeling and promoting self-care to ensure the well-being of themselves and others.
- Collaborating on Mediation (Optional): Working with Navigators during internal conflict resolution and bringing added perspective as a Nurturer.
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This is a model that started out as a part of a seemingly simple lesson during my time in seminary. It was a concept that was used to describe the various positions within a church, and how those intermingled to create a functional, cohesive, and growing church community. And while I’ve long since left the church, this lesson that has stuck with me some 20 years later.
When I started to get more involved in activism and organizing, it struck me how difficult it was to find resources on how to build a movement for the long term. Sustainability is not an inherit feature of activist movements. We post online, we protest loudly, we look for chances to prove our point. And then some time passes and the fire grows less bright and our voices less loud. Our demonstrative efforts become occasional…and then infrequent. Without a sustainable structure, passion alone is not enough. That’s where the five roles come in. For myself, it started to feel like tragedy was what fueled the fire and passion. And since there was no commonly known foundation in place, each rekindling saw us starting from the same place.
And so I set out to try an answer the question: How does a movement maintain momentum? What systems, what structures, whatmeasures would allow for us to push for change over the long-term? The first step was to build a framework that would serve as the basis, hence, the 5 Roles.
The closest 1:1 comparison that I’ve been able to find is the church, and while I cannot say that this model is fact and can stand the test of time as is…I am positive of 2 things:
1. Regardless of how anyone feels about the church, there’s no denying its efficacy in the spread of it’s influence throughout the course of history.
2. Specific aspects of this model exists throughout our society, and our world. If you doubt this, look no further than the interactions between The Roles and the Heritage Foundation, politicians, specific “news” organizations, social media influencers, and religious institutions. Now this isn’t to say that this specific model has never been put to use; this website where we’re applying and expanding upon this model, serves as one of the ways we’re currently leveraging it. One key thing to note is that this is aframework whose design was made with the express purpose of being modeled to fit whatever piece of the justice puzzle that fits best for you.
Whether you have an organization you can apply it to, or whether you’re running solo and asking yourself “what can I do?”, we believe that it can serve as a guiding light to both jumpstartandsustain