Tallahassee Equality Action Ministry

TEAM is a congregation-based community organization comprised of 19+ faith based groups united to hold systems accountable to their intended purposes. TEAM brings diverse people together (racial, ethnic, social/economic, faith) to redress community concerns that affect poor and low-income people. TEAM is not interested in direct service or "band-aid" fixes, but in identifying institutional changes that will impact an entire problem area. TEAM began as a response to injustice and inequality in Tallahassee, Florida. Many conversations were held among congregations in poor communities to determine the need for a justice ministry where low-income people have a dominant voice in determining the issue agenda. Issues are chosen through a bottom-up approach by engaging people to voice their community concerns by means of a "one-to-one" listening process. TEAM has trained over 1500 people in personal, face to face (one-to-ones) or house meeting conversations with their constituency concerning community problems. Leaders intentionally spend time building relationships across the community so that TEAM may further strengthen the community, our organization, and expand our power base. Specific problems that arise from the listening process are then brought to a large Assembly where congregations vote to choose which one(s) to make an organizational wide priority for that year. After the Assembly TEAM leaders formed research committees of 30-40 people each who are trained to identify specific problems within their identified focus area and then find tangible, winnable solutions. Committee members speak with organizations that are direct service providers in each concern area. After months of research, dialogue, and raising questions, the committees identified specific issues and targeted proposals to alleviate the respective needs. Problems lead to proposals and direct actions lead to changes in systems. TEAM leaders then take the proposals to the people who have the authority and influence to make the appropriate changes. TEAM held a large direct action in November of 2006 with 700 + community members present where we pressed elected officials to commit to take action in getting a Comprehensive health plan for 18,000 + uninsured people back on track as well as prioritize funding for interconnecting bus routes in 2007.