this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2021
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Tbh when I hear people say "organize!" it often sounds just like when capitalists say "just pick yourself up by your bootstraps!" (hexbear.net)
submitted 5 years ago* (last edited 5 years ago) by queenjamie@hexbear.net to c/askchapo@hexbear.net
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I get that organizing is important, but I still don't actually know what that entails. Like what am I supposed to do? It's kind of like telling a straight guy who wants to get a girlfriend to just "be himself." So when I see someone complain about the hellworld we live in and a common response is "organize," it feels kinda condescending. Same with "join an org." What org? How do I know which one is good?

Like for real, why isn't there some sort of organizing guide or FAQ on here? There's a recommended routine for body weight fitness and there's even a 14 day primer on getting started (https://old.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/kofo8l/bwf_primer_buildup_community_event_day_1_happy/). So where is the organizing primer? I mean it can start with something really simple, i.e. "on Day 1, say hi to a neighbor if you see them out walking (no need to get into a convo unless it just happens)." Like tbh how about a 14 Day Primer for organizing? Even the radlibs on the Bernie campaign had training sessions before having volunteers do stuff like call, text, or canvass. Even pick-up-artist idiots have training programs (e.g. day 1 talk to a random stranger and ask them directions, just say your phone is dead, etc.). We should have one too.

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[–] hogposting@hexbear.net 1 points 5 years ago (1 children)

Great idea to put together a primer. It would probably need to be broken into two parts: one for folks with leftist groups in their area, and a second for folks who would have to start from scratch.

For the first part, the primer would look something like this:

  • Day 1: Figure out what groups are in your area. Google around for groups like Food Not Bombs, DSA, PSL, or [insert list here]. Make a list, with contact information if you can find it.
  • Day 2: Start reaching out to these groups. A sample email might read, "Hi, I'm Johnny Lib. I'm trying to get more involved in my community. Can you direct me to some more information on your group? What you do, how people join, if there are meetings I can attend, etc."
  • Day 3: Follow up on the conversations you've started with various groups. Learn what you can. Pick one and start participating in their activities.

At that point it becomes more difficult. If the org you pick is already doing good stuff (however that's defined), you're golden. But what if it's only a few people, but they claim to be growing? What if it's poorly run? What if it's super lib? What if it does a lot of great charity work, but makes no effort to translate that into political activity? You could write pages on each question, but each situation will be so fact-dependent that it's probably something you have to work through on a case-by-case basis.

The second part -- people who have to start from scratch -- is an even bigger question, because "starting from scratch" could mean anything from "I have a group of quasi-lefty friends who all want to do something" to "I know none of my neighbors and everyone around me seems to be a chud."

[–] queenjamie@hexbear.net 1 points 5 years ago

The second part – people who have to start from scratch – is an even bigger question, because “starting from scratch” could mean anything from “I have a group of quasi-lefty friends who all want to do something” to “I know none of my neighbors and everyone around me seems to be a chud.”

Yeah this is a huge issue in rural areas, cuz the DSA doesn't seem to give a fuck about areas outside major cities or college campuses.