Agents of Change: Nonviolent Direct Action Training Series

Agents of Change: Nonviolent Direct Action Training Series
From the Montgomery bus boycott to the fight against Keystone XL to this year's protests against ICE, direct action has always been how movements win. In 2026, facing high-stakes fights under the Trump regime, we need our actions to be strategic, powerful, and rooted in trained, confident organizers.

Agents of Change is a training series that will teach you how to plan safe, successful nonviolent direct actions (NVDAs) and build lasting organizing relationships. Across three webinars and an in-person Action Lab weekend, we'll cover NVDA strategy and history, protest safety and de-escalation, risk levels and action roles, and the somatic and psychological work of sustainable activism — closing out with a real action where we put it all together.

This training centers affinity groups — small teams who prepare for and take action together. Bring a group of people you already trust (from your volunteer crew, faith community, or friend group), or sign up individually and we'll help connect you with others to form a group.

This series is for you if you:
- Want to move from NVDA participant to NVDA organizer
- Want to strengthen your understanding of NVDA history and strategy
- Are ready to take on new roles or greater risk at actions
- Want to find a group of people to consistently take action with
Section 1: Contact Information
Name

First NameLast Name
Pronouns
Email
We will use email to share a welcome message and the training schedule, as well as key updates and logistical info leading up to the training.

Once the training series starts, we will primarily communicate on Signal, in a group for all Agents of Change participants. If you do not have Signal, we can help you download it or figure out an alternative.
Are you on Signal (the messaging app)?
Please provide your Signal username.
The link below contains helpful info on how to view and edit your username on Signal. Creating a username allows us to find you on Signal without needing to know your phone number. Your username is not necessarily the same as your display/profile name.

https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6712070553754-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames
Phone Number (not required if you provide a Signal username)
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
We will only use your phone number to look you up on Signal. You can provide your Signal username if you prefer.
ZIP Code
Section 2: Affinity Groups

Agents of Change focuses on organizing in affinity groups: small groups of people who prepare for and engage in direct action together, often building trust and strengthening their relationships over the course of many actions. We invite you to join this training series as a group by organizing people you already know and trust to participate together! You could form an affinity group for Agents of Change from your volunteer group, your faith community, or your own personal network or friend group. Individual signups are warmly welcomed too; we will connect you with people who share your interests/values to form an Agents of Change affinity group based on your answers in this registration form.
Are you registering as an individual or a member of an affinity group?
(If with a group) What's the name of your group?
Please have each person in your group fill out this registration form and list the same group name.
(If with a group) Tell us about your group — how do you know each other? If you're an organizing/activist group, how long have you been organizing together, and what kinds of work does your group do?
We have a few questions to help us form an affinity group that will match your interests!
(If as an individual) What draws you to working in a small group setting like an affinity group?
(If as an individual) What aspects of your identity are most important to you (if any)? Are you interested in being connected with other people who share that identity?
(Some example answers: age; racial or ethnic background; the type of work you do; where you live)
(If as an individual) What social justice causes or values are most important to you? Are you interested in being connected with other people who prioritize those causes and values?
(Some example answers: climate change; fighting back against ICE; Palestinian liberation work; mutual aid)
(If as an individual) What types of roles do you like to take on in movement spaces? Are you interested in being connected with other people who enjoy those roles?
(Some example answers: creating banners and art for actions; planning and strategy for actions; providing food and nourishment; media and communications work; photography/videography; logistics)
(If as an individual) Is there anything else you want to share that would help us connect you with the right people?
Section 3: Involvement with Troublemakers
Are you a Troublemaker? (meaning you're in the Troublemakers UPDATES group on Signal)
What's your involvement with Troublemakers (TM)? Select all that apply.

Other
How active are you in the Troublemakers community, on a scale of 1 to 5?

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Not active at all, 5 is Very active
Have you attended a direct action training with Troublemakers before? Select all that apply. Skip this question if none apply.

Other
Tell us about your experience with the Troublemakers training(s) you selected — how you got involved, what you learned, and how it's shaped the way you show up in movement spaces.
Section 4: Training History with Other Organizations
Have you attended direct action training or political education with any other organizations or groups?
Tell us who organized it, roughly when it was, what it focused on, and what you learned or practiced. How has that training shaped how you show up to organizing work today?
Section 5: Experience & Background

Helps trainers calibrate and group people thoughtfully when placing individuals in groups.
How experienced are you with direct action?
Describe an action or organizing effort you were part of that felt effective or well-executed. What made it work, and what ideas from it could we build on for future actions?
What skills, training, or support would have made that experience stronger — or would help you take on more next time?
Are there specific gaps in your experience or skillset that you're hoping Agents of Change addresses for you?
Section 6: Action Planning Interest

This will assist us in understanding what you are interested in doing for the action you will participate in.
What kinds of direct actions are you most drawn to or curious about? Tell us what excites you about these actions, what you're uncertain about, and any roles you've played or want to explore.
Some example answers: civil disobedience, blockades, community defense, media/documentation, legal support, logistics, de-escalation. Intention is to gather information about what participants are interested in doing for the action.
Are you interested in staying involved in action planning beyond this training? Tell us what that could look like for you.
Section 7: Accessibility & Logistics
What do you need from us to make this training fully accessible and workable for you?
This could include mobility, sensory needs, dietary, language, childcare, transportation, etc. We'll do our best to meet needs with the resources we have available.
Should be Empty:

Agents of Change: Nonviolent Direct Action Training Series

Section 1: Contact Information

Section 2: Affinity Groups

Section 3: Involvement with Troublemakers

Section 4: Training History with Other Organizations

Section 5: Experience & Background

Section 6: Action Planning Interest

Section 7: Accessibility & Logistics