Can Small Group Organizing Save the Country?

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



Can Small Group Organizing Save the Country?
Without the support of others, we get drained, we burn out, we sit out elections, or we vote our fears. With it, we can make real change.

by Sarah Byrnes
posted Nov 05, 2010


At last, the election is over. No matter what your take is on the outcome, a season so full of deceitful ads and partisan bickering makes us all uncomfortable. Our democratic process is fraught with incivility, misinformation, and paranoia. People are voting their fears, from a place of deep insecurity.

It’s hard to imagine how we can move from these realities to a new economy based on real wealth that serves people in harmony with the planet. At the moment, it seems impossible to agree on even small things, let along a big new vision for the future. How can we keep our spirits up in order to keep working when things are so daunting?

In fact, sources of strength are all around us, in our neighbors, friends, and co-workers, but we have to overcome our isolation to find them. Before joining a small group called a Common Security Club, I did my best on my own to be a good global citizen. I shopped locally, changed the light bulbs, and subscribed to a lot of social action mailing lists. I “clicked here” when directed, sending emails to decision-makers, and even making a few phone calls.

That was all well and good, but it wasn’t very nourishing. The pressure and the responsibility of creating a new economy felt overwhelming, even paralyzing, and what I was doing felt silly and small.

Though it might sound old-fashioned, what I needed was a support group—a group of people to remind me that even small steps matter, and that I’m not alone in the fight. Without this kind of community, we get drained, we burn out, we sit out elections, or we vote our fears. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/common-security-clubs/can-small-group-organizing-save-the-country

[OneGrassRoot]

1. This is the essence of what I would love for us to do ....

It is at the heart of what I always intended with Wishadoo. To gather online in groups -- with people being group "ambassadors" for their region/city. Gather with a common, focused intent, and then have this translate into gatherings in our local communities where we can create co-ops, microenterprises, support local businesses, schools and social service organizations...truly engage in and support the local community while connected to the larger community of focused intent as well.

I absolutely adore Yes! Magazine. I'm officially a groupie now. ;)

Thanks for posting. :hi:

[marmar]

2. It's a great magazine.

nt