Making Our Activism More Effective through Nonviolent Direct Action

Tired of putting all your hopes for change in elections or lobbying? Join others ready to stretch their skills and courage through nonviolent direct action, the methodology employed effectively by the Civil Rights Movement, as well as early Quakers. Whatever issue you feel called to work on, learn new tactics and how to sequence them for maximum effect.

In this program, we will hear stories of successful campaigns and brainstorm how to apply their lessons today. We’ll tease apart our assumptions about how change happens and learn new ways of thinking about our roles as change makers.

In community with others, we’ll draw on our own experience and the wisdom of the group through brainstorming, role playing, and other interactive activities. We’ll also explore the importance of spiritual grounding in nonviolent direct action and share our strategies to show up fully in new ways.

Leader(s)

Eileen Flanagan has served as both clerk and campaign director of Earth Quaker Action Team, which uses nonviolent direct action to pressure corporations contributing to climate chaos. She has also been a Pendle Hill Resident Teacher, a university lecturer on racism, and Trainings Coordinator for Choose Democracy, which trained 10,000 people in nonviolent strategies to prevent a coup in the lead up to the 2020 election. Her online courses on effective and spiritually grounded activism have engaged people around the world. The award-winning author of three books, she tells the story of her leading to work on climate justice in Renewable: One Woman’s Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope. Read more about her work at eileenflanagan.com.

Financial aid may be available. If you are seeking funds to participate in this program, click to review and complete our Financial Assistance Application and a Pendle Hill staff member will follow-up with you shortly (please do NOT register online). Thank you for your interest.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill.