Comming Together to Prepare for Economic ChangeThese are uncertain times. The economic crisis has reminded us of our vulnerabilities. Debt. Foreclosure. Evaporating Savings. Rising Costs. Job Insecurity. We can face these changes alone –or come together.
WHAT IS A COMMON SECURITY CLUB?
- A place to come together to grapple with our personal security in a rapidly changing world.
- To learn about the root causes of our economic and ecological challenges.
- To explore ways to increase our personal/economic security through mutual aid and shared action.
- To build on what we have together –and strengthen the institutions that we all depend on.
- In the process, make friends, find inspiration, have fun, and strengthen community.
- Be part of a national movement of common security clubs that are connected to religious, civic, labor and small business organizations --working to transform the economy so that it works for everyone.
LEARN: Through popular education tools, videos and shared readings, participants increase their understanding of the larger economic forces on our lives. Why is the economy in distress? How did these changes happen? What are the historical factors? How does this connect to the global economy? What are the ecological factors contributing to the changes? What is our vision for a healthy sustainable economy?
MUTUAL AID –LOCAL ACTION: Through stories, examples, web-based resources, a workbook and mutual support, participants reflect on what makes them secure. How can I reduce my economic vulnerability? How can I get out of debt? How can I help my neighbor facing foreclosure or economic insecurity? Can I downscale and reduce my consumption and ecological footprint and save money? What can we do together to increase our economic security at the local level?
SOCIAL ACTION: Many of our challenges won’t be solved through personal or local mutual aid efforts. They require us to work together to press for larger state, national and even global changes. Coming together, how can we become politically engaged to reclaim our country from the casino capitalists? What state and federal policies will increase our personal security? Can ordinary citizens around the world influence the reshaping of the global economy over the next few years? What program will truly address the economic and ecological realities of our time?
Piloting Real Security Clubs
We are now in the process of piloting several “Common Security Clubs” around the country. Clubs typically are 10-20 adults who commit to meet for 4- 5 initial facilitated meetings and then discuss whether to continue.
Visit our site again soon as we plan to have lots of tools available for public use. Send us your email and we’ll let you know when some of our facilitation tools are ready:
For more information, contact:
Andree Zaleksa at the Forum Organizing Project, forumorganizing(at)gmail.com
