5 Key Lessons
from OSS Organizers
These lessons were developed using the experience and wisdom of practitioners across the country who are taking “one small step” and building connection in their own communities.
Use them as guidance for creating your own One Small Step (OSS) programs and sharing the importance of OSS with others.
Perfection is not the goal.
Creating One Small Step (OSS) programs for your community can feel overwhelming, especially at first. But remember, perfection is not what we are aiming for. You may design activities that do not end up how you planned, and there may be mistakes you make along the way. What is more important is that you are trying. It is ok—and we encourage you—to do it imperfectly. You may be surprised by how many people are looking for any opportunity to stop and connect.
Give it time (and consistency).
Using One Small Step (OSS) resources in your own community is an effective way to encourage genuine connection. However, like most things worth building, forming real relationships among community members takes time. And while consistency is key, you define your own pace based on the resources you have available. In general, a few smaller activities spread out over the course of the year can have more of a lasting impact than a large event that only happens once.
Think about your current programming.
In many cases, there are ways to add One Small Step (OSS) elements to events, traditions, gatherings, or partnerships that already exist in your community. You could start by including response boards, conversation cards, or story walls as part of your current programming. This can feel more natural to participants, help promote openness, and reduce the time and/or budget required. You do not have to start from scratch to have a substantial impact.
Connection, not politics.
Is it possible to bring One Small Step (OSS) to your community without being seen as partisan or taking sides? Yes! The underlying principles of OSS center around connection, not politics. While participants may talk about their viewpoints, keeping the focus on telling stories and sharing lived experiences helps people build trust and accept differences. Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable when differences cause disagreements, but the more we embrace discomfort, the more we learn and grow.
We need OSS now, not later.
It can be tempting to position One Small Step (OSS) programs as a “nice-to-have” or something for future generations to implement. But, now is the time to build skills to turn toward each other, rather than away from each other. Whether you are a member of your local church, library, or community club, you likely have more influence than you think. You can be an important part of bringing your community together.