America now has government for the few at the expense of the many. Elite control of public resources and economic pressures are now deeply affecting household stability, family dynamics, social mobility and civic life. The only answer to organized money is organized people.

When citizens discuss disproportionate elite-influence, and what we need public money for, peoples' shared interests emerge. However there's a downward spiral of civic apathy and participation. Our national stockpile of social capital -- our reserve of personal bonds and fellowship -- is seriously depleted.

Sprawl increases atrophy of the public sphere. Every 10 minutes of commuting time cuts all forms of civic engagement by 10 percent.

We need community-building strategies to enable busy people to act together effectively. Local community networks can complement offline social contact and strengthen community engagement and attachment.

Inter-racial community organizations have now developed to increase social integration and build grassroots power to leverage change. Reminiscent of the civil rights movement, they are often based in the abundant relationships found in congregations. They forge inter-faith webs of relationships, and orchestrate large public events to address priority issues.

These people-powered meetings have a strategic purpose. They help ordinary folks gain seats at decision-making tables to impact political, social, economic and environmental decisions that affect their lives. Networks of local groups work together at the state level. This congregation-based community organizing (CBCO) is growing.

There are at least 160 local CBCO groups, with more than 4,000 member institutions. Combined membership is over 1 percent of the population. This is a figure rarely reached by social movements in American history.

Now to win hard issues CBCO leaders must engage more people to build larger events. A remix of invitation and social-network collaboration tools is needed to expand such important grassroots movements.

First citizen leaders, and a few staff, participate in substantial trainings to then mobilize a wide span of people. These national trainings make feasible online videos for leaders.

Second, through 1-on-1 conversations, leaders determine priorities and turn out 1000+ constituents for events. These efforts leverage accomplishments and help build organizations.

As CBCOs grow they address wider, more unyielding issues. Here only larger-scale events can leverage sufficient power for change. Online collaboration and event-building tools can help more busy citizens serve as grassroots leaders to grow events of 5,000 - 10,000.

Now too few leaders are trying to do too much and events are undersized. We want grassroots people, who have attended past events, now to personally invite and accompany others. They follow up with e-invitations that provide details, automate tasks and compile up-to-date lists.

E-invitations are sent from an event web site. Invitees follow links to learn more, watch introductory videos, RSVP, request e-reminders, view ads, get directions, and invite others.

A social-network suite would host videos for emerging leaders, register e-invites they send and campaign totals. Our purpose is social facilitation: to encourage people to perform better at simple tasks when they know they're observing one another.

"...Remember me as a drum major for social justice." -- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.