A community organizing job involves working towards the betterment and empowerment of a specific community of masses. These communities can range from low income citizens to a group of people suffering from a particular disease or a group of individuals who work in a specific field. Community organizers generally work in groups in order to fix particular social or environmental issues like unionization of the labor class, spreading awareness about political issues, or cleaning up a particular area or a colony.
A community organizer works with a social service organization, churches, and NGOs. As a community organizer, one needs to collect the facts and figures related to the kind of community he wishes to work for. A part of this is going to the members of the communities, and discussing the concerned issues with them and informing them about the solutions available, and working on those solutions. The job involves scheduling appointments and holding talks with the government or private agencies that might help the community members in some way or the other.
To be a community organizer one does not need a specific degree. However those who have a degree in the field of humanities or sociology are best suited for the job. If you have been associated with a social service agency or have thorough knowledge about social justice issues then perhaps you would be able to work more effectively.
The word ‘energy' is the hot buzz in this youth rich era and this is exactly what is required of individuals who wish to work in this field. One needs to be high on energy and should be capable of performing tasks with a lot of zeal and vigor. A community organizer needs to be aware of the various government policies and should have the knack of convincing people from all kinds of social networks.
A good amount of mental and physical exertion goes into this profession as you would need to talk with the community members and search for ways to help them with their problems. For example, a community organizer working for a low income group of people suffering from HIV-AIDS needs to talk to the patients and inform them about the options they have. Communication skills are a must and those with a dominating personality are sure to do wonders for the groups they work for.
There is no specific training involved in this field. If you are new to the field then you would perhaps have to work with the senior members of your team. Your job would itself train you to achieve higher heights in this profession. One can work as a community organizer with any kind of educational background. The President of United States, Barack Obama worked as a community organizer in Chicago. In an interview he was asked by a famous journalist if there was a specific course one needed to pursue to be a community organizer. "It all boils down to the kind of attitude you have towards a fellow Earthling. Courses help but are not a requisite. You might work as a community organizer and go on to become the President of the United States." Obama cheerfully replied.
The demand in this field is at an all time high and organizations welcome youngsters with open arms. Various groups and communities all over the world are in desperate need of proper help. Countries where the population of low income groups is high make an ideal place for this kind of a social well fare job. One can work for a number of communities that face problems. These communities run short of resources and as a community organizer you need to wise them up to the fact that there are numerous ways to make life happier.
Initially one may not get impressive pay. However with enough years of experience behind you, you can prosper as a community organizer. Your pay depends upon the kind of work you do. Community organizers do benefit from donations and charities, however governments across the world are working on plans to avail social service agencies with funds that fulfill their needs and demands.
The job of a community organizer is one that involves a lot of hard work and the determination to help out various communities around the world. Watching these communities prosper and helping them to lead a better life is something that no other job offers. On a lighter note, just to give you an idea about the money involved in this job, I might as well tell you that our Mr. Obama started at a salary of just $12,000 a year when he joined as a community organizer.
