SOCM Organizational Interest Meeting

SOCM (pronounced “sock-em”) is a 53-year-old, member-driven grassroots organization with roots in rural East TN dedicated to empowering Tennesseans in their efforts to have a greater voice in determining their own future. SOCM accomplishes this by training local leaders and by developing and sustaining long-term, democratically run, and locally rooted membership organizations in communities throughout Tennessee. Members of SOCM’s county-based chapters decide on local issues they would like to address and are supported as they engage with their neighbors, interact with elected leaders, and work towards community-driven solutions together. Anderson County RTA has invited SOCM members and staff to share more about their model and what it would look like to form an Anderson County SOCM Chapter. Residents of Anderson County are encouraged and invited to attend this organizational interest meeting.

SOCM stands for Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment. It is a Tennessee community organization group best known for its opposition to strip mining. It is a 54 year old organization with strong ties to Anderson County. This is an overview of how SOCM works for the citizens within the county. To learn more, you are invited to attend an informational meeting open to all Anderson County Residents on February 5th at 5:00 pm at the Clinton Community Center, located at 101 Hicks Street in Clinton, TN 37716.

Since 2008, SOCM has been involved in social, economic, and environmental justice statewide. SOCM now has chapters in Jackson, Knoxville, Bedford County, Maury County, Rutherford County, and Cumberland County. The Roaring River Chapter is made up of residents of Putnam County, Jackson County, and Overton County, Tennessee. This is a grassroots organization where the leaders are the members who, at the chapter committee or Board level, really run SOCM and carry out its work. SOCM believes that leaders should take on all tasks that are not uniquely defined as staff responsibilities.

Individual organizations can identify their own local needs as well as statewide initiatives.

SOCM is governed by a Board of Directors that consists of officers, a representative from each chapter, and three at-large representatives. The Board makes policy and financial decisions and sets the direction for SOCM’s work. Members also make up the internal committees that govern SOCM, such as the finance committee and nominating committee.

One of the most important statewide initiatives of SOCM is its Public School Strong Initiative. These local and statewide committees helped school boards create resolutions opposing vouchers and held town hall meetings statewide to help educate communities on voucher legislation. Public School Strong stands with the community in support of their teachers and public schools.

This meeting will offer Anderson County community members to have a collective voice in making Anderson County better for all citizens.