CHANGING HOW WE ORGANIZE IN 2024

SHIFTING FROM DOOR KNOCKING OUTREACH TO SITE BASED OUTREACH

Given the significant amount of feet on the ground required for traditional door-to-door outreach, coupled with the reality that fewer people are coming through the pipeline at pre-COVID levels, it became clear that a shift in strategy was necessary. Organizing door-to-door efforts had always been a staple, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of effectiveness. The volume of in-person interactions was dwindling, and the time and energy required to reach even a fraction of the target audience were not yielding the expected results. In light of these challenges, it was essential for SWU to rethink its approach to outreach.

At the beginning of 2024, SWU made the strategic decision to transition to site-based outreach. This new approach enabled the organization to reach more people in a shorter amount of time, maximizing impact while reducing the logistical complexities of door-to-door campaigns. Not only did this strategy increase efficiency, but it also alleviated the physical toll on organizers, who had been enduring the taxing conditions of knocking doors in 100-degree weather. The shift has allowed SWU to better focus its resources, adjust to the evolving landscape, and continue making meaningful connections with the communities they serve.

Site based canvassing at Sunday Market @ The Brick.

Site based canvassing at Second Thursday at the McNay Art Museum

Security concerns forced tOOL shift FOR 2024.

SWU began a complete overhaul of our database, transitioning from NGP VAN to a more secure and efficient system. We adopted OpenField as our primary tool for data collection, which offered enhanced functionality to better meet our needs. This migration was a painstaking and time-consuming process, taking several months to complete.  It required not just data transfer but also a full restructuring of the system to align with the organization’s evolving requirements and maintain rigorous security standards.

Upon completion, we launched a training program to equip our staff with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the new tools and access the updated database. There were significant challenges in transitioning to OpenField from NGP VAN, as we were one of the first organization to begin using it, training organizers to use a new tool while simultaneously running our first Organizing School of Justice internship in years. Despite the challenges we faced, we were able to successfully reach the goals for the year.