Transforming PowerA 13-Week Program for Democratic Change in Your CommunityBy Don BarrIn order to create a democratic environment in a community or institution, we must understand power. Research shows that when those working in human services do not have that understanding, they cannot effectively help a family or community group effect changes that will benefit them. Through the 13 sessions in Transforming Power: A 13-Week Program for Democratic Change in Your Community, those who work with families, children, and communities can not only learn about the workings of power, but help to change the power balance between family support program staff and family; human services agency and community; government and citizen; and beyond—toward specific goals that families identify.Transforming Power is a curriculum that enables facilitated groups of human services providers, families, educators, policymakers, business people, law enforcement, and other community members to initiate and sustain a community empowerment process. Through this process, a community can challenge inappropriate or unjust policies, start a new initiative or revamp an existing one, or address problems that the community has identified. Empowerment is not something done for people, but with people.Real-Life ExampleIn one eastern New York community, residents were concerned because teens were hanging out on the streets, dropping out of school, and using drugs. A leadership workshop was organized for the teens, using Transforming Power as the curriculum. The outcome went beyond the community’s expectations. Parents, who were involved in the latter sessions, were surprised at what the teens said they had learned and what they were going to do to make the community better. One parent remarked, “I had trouble believing that was my son. Before, he never wanted to take anything seriously.”Benefits in the Community and BeyondTransforming Power helps communities respect and take seriously the ideas of disenfranchised groups such as these teens—and it helps those groups respect their own ideas and take ownership of what it takes to create change. It helps everyone realize their part in changing power into a constructive, shared force in the community. As growing numbers of constituencies learn community empowerment skills, they become equipped to constructively engage with decision makers to work together for change. Transforming Power is for those who have power and want to use it for good; it is for the disenfranchised who want to engage in change; it for all of us together to change the very nature of power in our relationships.ContentsSection One: Setting The Stage Introduction Power: It’s Everywhere and Nowhere Chapter One Study Circles: Community Learning and Empowerment Chapter Two  Beginning the Journey Into the SwampSection Two:  Power Over Chapter Three Case Study: The Impact of Power Over Chapter Four Hierarchy, Control, Domination, and Inequality Chapter Five The Instruments and Sources of Power Over Chapter Six Key Unanswered Questions about Power OverSection Three:  Power With Chapter Seven Seeking a New Lens: An Alternative View of Power Chapter Eight Enhancing the Power of Others Chapter Nine Alternative Voices: What are they Saying?Section Four: Organizing for Transformation Chapter Ten Framework for Analyzing How Power is Being Used Chapter Eleven Marginality as a Position of Strength Chapter Twelve Transformation: Beyond Niceties Chapter Thirteen Contradictions of American Democracy Chapter Fourteen Transforming Power Through the Empowerment Process Chapter Fifteen Call to Action: Community EmpowermentBibliography Appendix A: Active ListeningAppendix B: Feedback in the Empowerment ProcessAppendix C: Learning Circle Evaluation FormAppendix D: Small Group Diagnostic FormAppe