[Campaignforrealdemocracy] what's the best way to start the process?

[Mark Barrett]

I think there's quite a lot to be said for what you've suggested as a way
forward, but I suppose this will become clearer as we go. It's possibly a
good idea to split the job up into wards. Where I live for example is approx
24,000 people in two roughly equal-sized wards - Southgate (Town) and
Southgate Green.

*About strategy*, I think we will move forward either on basis of core team
who can link up with wider democracy network already active in London, or
through, as you say an identification of one key place to throw all our
support behind (but that is tricky as we all live in different places..I
think we need to be working where we live/work and joining up with others
doing same rather than parachuting into other places, unless we parachute in
to stay that is).

But also think we need to encourage a focal point, or a number of them, so
suggest (1) Parliament Hill picnic for August 15th and (2) maybe a Right to
the City conference in collab with London Social Forum in Dec with a view to
(3) big London democracy demos/occupations in spring (eg one at GLA? one
decentralised at polling booths for 2010 Gen Elec (or at town halls if Gen
Elec is done in 2009)..?)

About forthcoming core meeting there are now three options in same central
area. All cost something:

(1) Housmans new basement space which apparently quite dingy and they are
asking 25 for 2 hours, 30 for 3 and 40 for four (yikes)
(2) The Cock Tavern upstairs (near Euston station) which is where London
Housing Action used to meet (and, incidentally the IRA, second yikes) who
appear to have the space free on the 1st, 3rd and 4th but not 2nd Monday of
each month. Roughly a tenner an hour, or maybe less if we buy a few drinks,

(3) the vegan place in same holborn/russell sq area, as suggested by Panda
which was 2-3 pounds per person including food. Personally I am 100%
in favour of this option - assuming food is good quality - and would happily
subsidise anyone who couldn't afford to pay that for an eve bite (assuming
our numbers are 10-12 max ie low to begin)

Also there is Vinay's Sunday picnic 12noon-3 next to ICA St James Park.

To save further slippage shall I just book vegan place for the 8th, get an
ad in the Civic Forum newsletter, put the word out to individuals we think
are appropriate and see where we go from there?

Mark



2009/5/21 james holland <james at dogmanet.org>

> let's say that democratic communities are 100-150 people and that that they
> could possibly federate together through a 'spokes' system of 50-100.
>
> what's the best way to start the process?
>
> i think one good approach is to split up into areas of about 15,000
> (borough wards are about this size)  and find a group of people who are
> interested in starting out, then over time try to find people in each of the
> 100 or so communities and gradually build the capacity of what will
> eventually make these the sovereign communities. This approach gives a
> context for activists and residents that may live close by, but not live in
> the same street or block to make a start, they will be able to engage people
> from the whole community and then help to build core communities when
> numbers start to grow.
>
> maybe we should aim to start by identifying and supporting a small group of
> ward size areas with a good concentration of interested people / campaigns /
> resources?
>
> obviously this is all for discussion at the first meeting, but these are
> just a few thoughts
>
>
> --
>
>
>
>
> James Holland
>
> http://risingclevel.blogspot.com/
>
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>
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