I've "left" the CPB. Details inside...

[RedKobra]

Thought I'd give a brief overview of my experience with the Communist Party of Britain. Hopefully others might find it useful.

Before I applied to join I'd done a little research and had spoken to one or two members who told me that the party's communications weren't great. So my first contact was through their national website, I emailed them in December of 2014. I Heard nothing so managed to find the website of their regional office where I live. I emailed again. I heard nothing for two weeks and then their regional officer finally got back to me and explained that they had a branch in my area and asked me whether I would like to be put in touch with someone locally (by email). Given their track record with emails I decided to just fill out an application form and be done with it. I was informed by email that my application had been received and had been forwarded to my local rep who would be in touch "shortly". After waiting for two weeks without hearing a thing I emailed both the national and the regional offices again asking to know what was happening. Its now a full three weeks since I sent that email. You can guess what has happened. So... as of today (Wed 11.2.2015) I'm considering myself no longer a member of the CPB.

My reasons for joining the CPB in the first place were numerous but ultimately pragmatic and I don't feel like I'm leaving my ideological home or anything like that. For those that might be interested I've made some inquiries today about joining the CPGB PCC. I was in contact with them before, although again, like the CPB their comms could be better. Hopefully I have better success this time.

If anyone has any questions about the experience I'm happy to answer them.

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Um I'm not sure you can leave something you aren't a part of. It normally takes a couple months to become a full member in cadre organizations, you were an applicant at best. People have lives and jobs, it's not like being a communist militant pays well, you should have a little patience.

[RedKobra]

Um I'm not sure you can leave something you aren't a part of. It normally takes a couple months to become a full member in cadre organizations, you were an applicant at best. People have lives and jobs, it's not like being a communist militant pays well, you should have a little patience.

While I agree I was not a full member, it was not for the want of trying. Its been five weeks since I applied and I've not had so much as an email. I don't think that is a very professional way to run a party. Its one thing doing your probationary time, that I'm fine with, but I'm not even. I'm sitting around waiting for someone to get back to me to tell me whether my application has even been seen.

[Lily Briscoe]

Yeah, I agree with the above poster that it's a little odd to talk about 'leaving' the organization when you were barely even in contact with them, let alone a member. I think it's probably a bad sign when an organization takes that long to respond to an email though. Are they actually active in your area?

[The Feral Underclass]

Nah, waiting 3 months to get a solid response is a pretty piss-poor effort on their part. That's not just the trappings of life, that's outright incompetence.

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

The last organization I was in was fairly large as far as communist groups go and they took almost 2 months to contact me after I applied. When they initially called I had actually forgot about applying and thought someone was fucking with me. Its not a profession so why would you expect "professionalism"? It's almost entirely volunteer based aside from a couple corrupt assholes up top normally. I wouldnt be surprised if the next group takes just as long to get back with you, just be cool.

[RedKobra]

Yeah, I agree with the above poster that it's a little odd to talk about 'leaving' the organization when you were barely even in contact with them, let alone a member. I think it's probably a bad sign when an organization takes that long to respond to an email though. Are they actually active in your area?

According to their local guy, yes. No way of double checking that though as the information isn't public.

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Nah, waiting 3 months to get a solid response is a pretty piss-poor effort on their part. That's not just the trappings of life, that's outright incompetence.

Not to be sectarian but yeah, that sounds like life in a communist party alright

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

Did they hurt you or touch you inappropriately? Did they even offer coffee or light snacks at meetings? When the speaker stands on his/her head precisely how many spoons of peanut butter is s/he gargling?

[RedKobra]

Did they hurt you or touch you inappropriately? Did they even offer coffee or light snacks at meetings? When the speaker stands on his/her head precisely how many spoons of peanut butter is s/he gargling?

Beg pard?

[Sasha]

pfff, glad that the biggest hurdles to join my political "organization" where that all you needed to do was walk into a shady looking bar and talk with these surprisingly friendly people about them breaking open a empty house for you for free.. :lol:

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

Beg pard?

Inquiring minds want to know. You'd said you'd be happy to answer questions, didn't you?

[RedKobra]

Did they hurt you or touch you inappropriately? Did they even offer coffee or light snacks at meetings? When the speaker stands on his/her head precisely how many spoons of peanut butter is s/he gargling?

Okay in no particular order: No. Three. Yes. Yes. No. Green. Ejaculate. Yes. Maybe. Constricted breathing. Never again.

Happy?!

[The Feral Underclass]

They're some pretty good answers.

[Creative Destruction]

damn. i came into this thread thinking that there was going to be some drama that you could spill about inter-party politicking and all that shit. i'm incredibly disappointed right now. who gives a fuck if they took a long time to get back to you.

[RedKobra]

damn. i came into this thread thinking that there was going to be some drama that you could spill about inter-party politicking and all that shit. i'm incredibly disappointed right now. who gives a fuck if they took a long time to get back to you.

Sorry to disappoint you. Next time I'll try harder to generate some soap opera level shenanigans for your reading pleasure.

[Sentinel]

I've realised that these online application forms on organisations websites are hopeless really. Orgs should stop using them and encourage people to contact them directly on the street, or to arrange a meeting by phone, until/unless they have someone actually following them up.

It's what you have to do anyway if it is a proper 'cadre org', as pointed out above. Back when I was in the CWI I sometimes helped some users here on Revleft to get in contact with members of our respective national sections directly, after they had given up hope since their applications on the main CWI site just weren't replied to.

[Creative Destruction]

Sorry to disappoint you. Next time I'll try harder to generate some soap opera level shenanigans for your reading pleasure.

appreciate it!

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

They're some pretty good answers.

I know, I'm pretty impressed myself, this CPB sounds pretty alright.

[Ele'ill]

what was it like joining up with the militant wing of the salvation army? Is that the section that makes the prices just as high as buying new things?

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

what was it like joining up with the militant wing of the salvation army? Is that the section that makes the prices just as high as buying new things?

I had to masturbate in a coffin while bums and sargeants of Jesus watched. Anyhow, you show me where can you buy a mink coat for 20 bucks and only have to dust it off twice, huh, this I ask you!

[blake 3:17]

I've realised that these online application forms on organisations websites are hopeless really. Orgs should stop using them and encourage people to contact them directly on the street, or to arrange a meeting by phone, until/unless they have someone actually following them up.

It's what you have to do anyway if it is a proper 'cadre org', as pointed out above. Back when I was in the CWI I sometimes helped some users here on Revleft to get in contact with members of our respective national sections directly, after they had given up hope since their applications on the main CWI site just weren't replied to.

When I joined the USFI group I was in I knew most of the people for more than a year, and had participated in study groups with people in the group and outside of it. We'd also done joint work on multiple campaigns.

I still had to be voted in after a probationary period.

I'm not necessarily advocating that, but it's a million miles from the join on line or join at a demo that some of the goofball left does.

I also wouldn't knock a group for being 'unprofessional' -- I'm more wary of the ones that are too professional.

[Ele'ill]

I had to masturbate in a coffin while bums and sargeants of Jesus watched. Anyhow, you show me where can you buy a mink coat for 20 bucks and only have to dust it off twice, huh, this I ask you!

a plain t-shirt/button shirt/dress/skirt/top is about 20 too, this one time we went into a salvation army store and left to go to walmart and we saw what was either the same exact shirt and jeans or very similar ones for less brand new but I guess they have an army to fund and it makes me feel safer knowing that they are in our community and well armed