In this blog, SMK’s interim Chief Executive Katie Roberts reflects on her identity as a ‘campaigner’ and the risky business of putting people in boxes and missing the rich diversity of ways we can work to make social change happen.
Deep breath……. I never expected to become the CEO of a charity for campaigners. I am not even sure I am a campaigner.
I am not a campaigner, because I have never had ‘campaigns’ in my job title.
But then again, I have chosen and loved volunteer and paid roles that are focused on positive social change, calling out injustice and calling in the agency of people to work together to make that change happen.
I am not a campaigner – I don’t have any campaigning qualifications.
But then again, I do know how to make change happen from a systems or behaviour perspective. I know how to design a team, strategy or process and how to get buy in and commitment from those involved.
I am not a proper campaigner – I haven’t designed a petition or written a policy report.
But then again, I have designed and delivered countless community engagement projects with and for people who want to change their local public services and amenities.
I can’t be a campaigner – I have not glued myself to a bridge or been threatened with arrest.
But then again, I have chosen to stand up and speak out at work, in my faith community and on the digital and public platforms I have access to, to highlight injustice, social responsibility and call people to action and account.
I’m not really a campaigner – I have not stood outside number 10 or met with a government minister.
But then again, I have written to and met with my MP, joined local action groups and used my votes to support the people who are committed to social justice.
I am not a campaigner – I’ve never been interviewed on BBC Breakfast.
But then again, I did work with local schools to cover a canal barge with recycled paper animals to do a media stunt about climate change and biodiversity loss on Basingstoke canal.
Maybe I am a campaigner?
For the last nine years SMK has surveyed the campaigns community to provide insight and evidence to support best practice and collaboration. We’ve noticed that our respondents are more likely to be those who more naturally identify with the title ‘campaigner’. But here’s the thing, social change not only happens in a hundred different ways, it needs a hundred different ways to happen.
If you are involved in campaigning, changemaking, advocacy and activism across the UK – paid or unpaid – we want to hear from you.
Please help SMK to support this awesome community of changemakers by completing our SMK Annual Campaigner and Changemaker Survey by Wednesday 3rd December. Thank you!