Transforming Communities: (TC) created this empowerment tool, the CAT Handbook, to guide any person interested in building and facilitating a Community Action Team (CAT). The CAT Handbook is a practical guide created from "lessons learned" in TC's experience with volunteer Community Action Teams -- what it takes to successfully empower and organize a community for transformation. CATs work to transform community values and norms that tolerate and perpetuate domestic violence, address female inequality and foster greater safety and justice.

Chapters include information on recruitment of CAT members, leadership development, training, group process, and meeting facilitation. The expanded Appendices in the new 2000 edition of the CAT Handbook include exercises on team building, cultural diversity and community action, as well as a sampling of posters for local community mobilization and information on national campaigns.