Tips on starting a group/branch...

[Connolly1916]

...in an area that is not renowned for it's history of political activism.

There are two or three of us here who are willing to launch a branch of a Socialist minded group. I'm just looking for tips on the type/level of activism we could engage in, and also tips on how to make these ideas relevant in the workplace, in council estates etc. Any advice would be much appreciated, Comrades.

[Connolly1916]

Four 'thanks', yet no replies! Anyone care to offer a few words of advice please?

[Devrim]

I think it's a really difficult question to reply to. You don't tell us what sort of group you want to start. Different types of groups have different strategies, and what they do is dictated by that.

Devrim

[PhoenixAsh]

Well the first thing is to find an organization that would allow you to branche for them. They will help you with your start up....and with the requirements you need to fullfill as well as the help & advice you need to get started. Usually the first thing you need is to be in good standing with the party or group before they want to affilliate with you.

If there is no such organization available or nobody is willing to have you run a branche for them yet...then you can opt to start your own. For this you need a platform and, if you are so inclined, registry for tax exemption purposes (unfortunately) and allowing for you to get donations/endorsements/cash for funding activities and magazines. You will also need communication infrastructure such as a website and email.

Both obviously have different requirements and therefore advice that you need.

[Connolly1916]

I think it's a really difficult question to reply to. You don't tell us what sort of group you want to start. Different types of groups have different strategies, and what they do is dictated by that.

Devrim

Good point. I suppose I'm talking in general terms, as this thread could be useful to anyone on here looking to join a group. In my case, it's an activism-based political party, who do view elections as a useful tool, but put more emphasis on mobilising people against capitalism.

[PhoenixAsh]

Based on elections...you need to find out participation requirements on the level you want to participate. Usually you can do this for local initiatives in the community/municipalty offices. This would definately require registry (depending on national legislation...but yeah...I think Ireland has these requirements as well).



Advice I can further give you is to research local groups and parties already active in your region. Not for joining...but most definately to see what their platform is on issues.

This is usually a very good starting point as a quick primer for issues that are of some importance to the community. You can also use this to see what fails from these programs but are of importance.


On the issue of payments. I am not usually familiar with all kinds of internet banking. Usually somebody else arranges these processes in our groups. Yet what I can advice you is to create a bank account registered to your party instead of your name. And see what level of judicial responsibility you have personally and try to limit that as much as possible legally. So that in the case of mistakes (and/or malicious intent of government)...you are not personally in court.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Step one should always be investigation. The people in your council estate or wherever can tell you more about how to organize effectively on the terrain than some bozos from the internet.

That said! There are a whole lot of things you can do on that front. E.g.

1. Organize a film-screening and discussion on a popular issue.
2. Bring in a speaker from another organization.
3. Do an art project of some kind (a mural, a sculpture) and have a launch event.
4. Start producing a newsletter - encourage people outside of your group to write for it.

Any thing of this sort is a great opportunity to talk with people and hear what's up, where they're at, and what sort of radical activity would be relevant to their lives.

Oh! And to make events accessible, if possible, provide a) food (at least snacks + coffee/tea), b) childcare, c) bus tickets if you're looking to draw from a wider area.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Also, this (http://www.classwarparty.org.uk/). Because lol.

[Connolly1916]

Thanks for the replies, yer all on my Christmas card list!

If I did such a thing. Sadly, you'll have to make do with a sincere 'thank you'.