wiki.occupyboston.org - User contributions [en]

Terra's story

2016-08-19T03:00:32Z

Terra:

Why do I help with the Occupation?

I have a job. I have a mortgage. And I get by. I've a small consulting business. A tiny little operation...that barely squeaks by. But I get by. So why do I care about a bunch of disgruntled people occupying Dewey Square? Because I have a duty. To serve my country. To help the next generation build a world that they are proud to live in. I do not want to leave this world a mess for them to clean up. And because over the decades, I saw so many things slip away that I thought were "normal" and "fair".

I've seen pensions disappear. I've seen basic medical care costs skyrocket. I've seen the costs of business "socialized", while people are running away with the profits. While I was earning my Masters in Finance, I noticed how many of the "techniques" I was being taught, were effectively ruthless profiteering. I was told, "don't worry... your job is to maximize shareholder profits". Huh, I thought. And what if this strategy of millions of people thinking like this ruins our world? So while I thought it was important to learn "the language of money", after graduating, I refused to participate wholeheartedly. Even though I'd gotten this fancy degree and was poised to make bazillions, I just couldn't.

I wanted to be near my family. I wanted to stay "close to the earth". I wanted to participate in SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS, not just chasing the buck. And I couldn't help fearing for the world at large. I mean could "infinite growth" be possible? I just couldn't reconcile it in my mind. Yes, I'd attend various "green communities" meetings, or hang out with my like-minded friends who would get together occasionally, in an attempt to "feel better" about the world I was participating in. But all around me society seems to be spiraling toward disaster. As a trained engineer, I would look at the numbers and my head would ache, while I watch people "consume consume consume". Sometimes I'd wake up late at night and be unable to sleep hearing the cars going by endlessly.

And then suddenly...the Occupation. Suddenly, I can go to a place 24x7 and find people that are concerned. And they aren't just "like minded friends"...they come from all walks of life. And have diverse opinions about "what to do". But they are here for one reason. Because they care. Because they are scared. And because they know that they need to DO SOMETHING. And something we do. We camp. And we talk. And we write. And we collaborate. And out of that I pray and I hope that something comes. And I believe it will. And I believe that it has. Already people are waking up at all levels of business. "The Occupation" is woven into almost every conversation now. And I believe that the working groups will develop lists of demands. I believe that the politicians will serve the Occupation. I believe that it's the first hope of representation of the worker since I've been alive. And yes, even though I have a decent house and a decent business, "I" am of the 99%. And that's why I bring my extra stuff and money to the camp. That's why I stand on the sidewalk keeping the cops company late at night in the cold, hoping to articulate "why bother". Just like scrubbing the church floor is something that parishiners do with the hope of a better life in their community, I do what I can do help Occupy Boston.

In solidarity,

Terra Friedrichs

Mid-2012 Update:

The camp is gone. So I'm concentrating on other actions:
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_the_Economy

Mid-2014 Update:

Lots of groups have reorganized under different names. But the same people are involved and are doing great work.

I'm concentrating mostly on www.PassMassAmendment.org a statewide ballot initiative to amend the Massachusetts Constitution, based on "Corporations Are Not People, Money Is Not Speech". I also, an ex-elected official, help communities understand "rights-based ordinances" and how to use the "municipal charter" rights to enact law to prohibit destructive corporate activity at the local level. The buildings that these corporations are using, and the pollution and other destruction to the "social compact" can be stopped at the local level by "denying occupancy permits" and by levying HUGE fines for companies that harm our communities.

Been giving presentations based on my experience as a local elected official. To help communities leverage municipal rights to protect against destruction from corporations/governments: https://www.slideshare.net/PetitionersCommandRespect/community-defense-initiative

If you're someone who wants to be a socially conscious business person, please contact me. volunteer at occupy boston. org

Mid-2016 Update:
Working on Thayer Family Farm, a small organic farm in Harvard, MA which donates to Food Not Bombs Boston.
Feeling the Bern after Philly. Decided to put my name on the ballot for Massachusetts State Senate in the Worcester/Middlesex District. www.terrafriedrichsformasenate.wordpress.com

2014-06-06T05:13:31Z

Terra:

[[http://www.rule19.org/ Rule 19's FANTASTIC calendar]], perhaps the best one in the state for EVERYTHING...it's not specific to any one venue or group. GET ON IT! The corresponding email list (which doesn't always have everything on this calendar, by the way), but the email list "to be on" is the Act-MA.org list. Thanks to PF Soto for keeping this calendar stuff to the gils with great stuff to do!

[[http://www.encuentro5.org/home/calendar Encuentro 5's calendar]] is primarily stuff at that location or that the org is co-sponsoring, but still great. That page also has other calendars to check out. We can't keep up with them, so make sure you do!

CALENDARS

2014-06-06T05:10:54Z

Terra: Created page with "http://www.rule19.org/ Rule 19's FANTASTIC calendar, perhaps the best one in the state for EVERYTHING...it's not specific to any one venue or group. GET ON IT! The corres..."

Participate

2014-06-06T05:08:52Z

Terra:

WELCOME! to OCCUPATION BOSTON's '''"Participate"''' Page.
Here you will find ways to '''join in!'''

* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/RESOURCES Click here for a great Activist 101 list of local resources]]
*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Individual_Action Suggestions for Individual Action]]
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Education BACKGROUND READING]] on issues that brought us together
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Other_Places Occupy Groups in Other Towns in Massachusetts]]
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies Suggestions for New Occupy Groups in Other Towns]]
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/ Lists to get on]] to particpate in the discussion and connect with people
*[[CALENDARS]] to check out to find rallies/actions/events/film nights/lectures, etc

== '''Find a meeting''' ==

Go to the [[Calendar]] produced by [[Media]] working group. (Click the agenda tab, it is much more readable then). This calendar agenda is also on the right side of the [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] main site. Be sure to attend a [[General Assembly]] to 'see what democracy looks like' and help to develop a consensus. General Assemblies are usually at 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday and 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, but they are in flux after the recent eviction, so check the [[Calendar]] to be sure.

===Volunteer===

*See the [[VOLUNTEER DETAILS]] page
* '''''For more info[mailto:volunteer@occupyboston Email Us]. You can also email the [mailto:InfoTent@occupyboston.org InfoTent] who are onsite.
'''''

There is also an [[Outreach]] committee for people to help spread the message and make contacts with other organizations.

==Join a [[:Category:Working groups|working group]]==
[[:Category:Working groups|Working groups]] meet at the Occupy Boston site and/or work remotely. They all have a presence on the internet with their own email listserves, pages on this wiki, twitter feeds, facebook pages, and other communication outlets.

Get on the Daily Update list: https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/obupdates

==Donate==
:The [[Donate]] and [[Logistics]] pages on this wiki provide lists of items that are still needed for our continued efforts to organize and to help those in need. There is also a list generated by OBLogistics on twitter at [http://twitter.com/#%21/OBLogistics http://twitter.com/#!/OBLogistics]
:At camp, check the lists posted by the [[Logistics]] Tent. (When you first walk into the Occupy Boston camp in Dewey Square from the South Station side you see on your left the Logistics tent.)
:To donate money, the main occupy Boston website at [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] is the place to go. Currently on the right hand side are lists of various funds that have been set up for donations and links to an easy way to make donations.<br/>
:<br/>
:Occupy Boston also has a dontation box at large meetings, which are deposited in an accout at a local credit union.<br/>
:<br/>
:You may mail checks to this address:<br/>
Occupy Boston<br>
PO Box 51162<br>
Boston, MA 02205<br>
''Please make checks payable to "OccupyBoston FAWG". The FAWG is the Financial Accountability Working Group. For details about Occupation Boston financial matters, please contact the [mailto:fawg-record@lists.occupyboston.org FAWG], or go to the FAWG Working Group page from the Working Group link on the left.

==Educate==

Join this wiki (click the link in the extreme top right). Then you can contribute content and engage in discussions. There are multiple groups of people working on documents and discussing ideas. Be sure to check the discussion tab on an page that interests you. See what other people are saying about that page, contribute your comments.

Interesting pages include:

*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.

===Outreach===

:The [[Outreach]] working group can help you to poster, or set up an information table in your town. It has a [[Graphic Design]] page where Learn how print the stickers to hand out during canvassing and to spread the message! Here is also where you will find ideas on you can work as a blogger or tweeter to build the movement. Outreach Committee meetings are Fridays at 6 p.m. by the Gandhi statue.

:Some working groups sometimes meet offsite or are actively collaborating with other groups. For example, the Labor [[Outreach]] Committee meets Mondays at 4:30pm at SEIU 615 to accommodate the labor organization members who wish to actively participate in our group process.

:Get involved in an ongoing project. Want to work on an encampment paper? Check out [http://bostonoccupier.com The Boston Occupier]

==Follow and Contribute on Social Media==

For information on marches and actions, don't forget to join us on [https://www.facebook.com/OccupyBoston?ref=ts Facebook] and [http://twitter.com/#%21/Occupy_Boston Twitter]!<br/>Check out the [[Solidarity|Solidarity]] page for hundreds of Occupation related media sites.

==Direct Action==

:Participate in [[Bank Transfer Day]] - on or before 5 November 2011<br/>

==Contacts==
{{:Participate/Contacts}}

==Visit The Historic "Occupation Boston" Dewey Square==

Here is a map of the site as it was configured during the Occupy Boston occupation:
[[File:OccupyBoston map.jpg|right|250px|Map of Occupy Boston. Click to Enlarge.]]

==How to Start A New Occupation==

See this page for[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies How to Start A New Occupation]]

Participate

2014-06-06T05:08:23Z

Terra:

WELCOME! to OCCUPATION BOSTON's '''"Participate"''' Page.
Here you will find ways to '''join in!'''

* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/RESOURCES Click here for a great Activist 101 list of local resources]]
*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Individual_Action Suggestions for Individual Action]]
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Education BACKGROUND READING]] on issues that brought us together
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Other_Places Occupy Groups in Other Towns in Massachusetts]]
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies Suggestions for New Occupy Groups in Other Towns]]
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/ Lists to get on]] to particpate in the discussion and connect with people
*[[CALENDARS]] to find rallies/actions/events/film nights/lectures, etc

== '''Find a meeting''' ==

Go to the [[Calendar]] produced by [[Media]] working group. (Click the agenda tab, it is much more readable then). This calendar agenda is also on the right side of the [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] main site. Be sure to attend a [[General Assembly]] to 'see what democracy looks like' and help to develop a consensus. General Assemblies are usually at 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday and 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, but they are in flux after the recent eviction, so check the [[Calendar]] to be sure.

===Volunteer===

*See the [[VOLUNTEER DETAILS]] page
* '''''For more info[mailto:volunteer@occupyboston Email Us]. You can also email the [mailto:InfoTent@occupyboston.org InfoTent] who are onsite.
'''''

There is also an [[Outreach]] committee for people to help spread the message and make contacts with other organizations.

==Join a [[:Category:Working groups|working group]]==
[[:Category:Working groups|Working groups]] meet at the Occupy Boston site and/or work remotely. They all have a presence on the internet with their own email listserves, pages on this wiki, twitter feeds, facebook pages, and other communication outlets.

Get on the Daily Update list: https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/obupdates

==Donate==
:The [[Donate]] and [[Logistics]] pages on this wiki provide lists of items that are still needed for our continued efforts to organize and to help those in need. There is also a list generated by OBLogistics on twitter at [http://twitter.com/#%21/OBLogistics http://twitter.com/#!/OBLogistics]
:At camp, check the lists posted by the [[Logistics]] Tent. (When you first walk into the Occupy Boston camp in Dewey Square from the South Station side you see on your left the Logistics tent.)
:To donate money, the main occupy Boston website at [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] is the place to go. Currently on the right hand side are lists of various funds that have been set up for donations and links to an easy way to make donations.<br/>
:<br/>
:Occupy Boston also has a dontation box at large meetings, which are deposited in an accout at a local credit union.<br/>
:<br/>
:You may mail checks to this address:<br/>
Occupy Boston<br>
PO Box 51162<br>
Boston, MA 02205<br>
''Please make checks payable to "OccupyBoston FAWG". The FAWG is the Financial Accountability Working Group. For details about Occupation Boston financial matters, please contact the [mailto:fawg-record@lists.occupyboston.org FAWG], or go to the FAWG Working Group page from the Working Group link on the left.

==Educate==

Join this wiki (click the link in the extreme top right). Then you can contribute content and engage in discussions. There are multiple groups of people working on documents and discussing ideas. Be sure to check the discussion tab on an page that interests you. See what other people are saying about that page, contribute your comments.

Interesting pages include:

*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.

===Outreach===

:The [[Outreach]] working group can help you to poster, or set up an information table in your town. It has a [[Graphic Design]] page where Learn how print the stickers to hand out during canvassing and to spread the message! Here is also where you will find ideas on you can work as a blogger or tweeter to build the movement. Outreach Committee meetings are Fridays at 6 p.m. by the Gandhi statue.

:Some working groups sometimes meet offsite or are actively collaborating with other groups. For example, the Labor [[Outreach]] Committee meets Mondays at 4:30pm at SEIU 615 to accommodate the labor organization members who wish to actively participate in our group process.

:Get involved in an ongoing project. Want to work on an encampment paper? Check out [http://bostonoccupier.com The Boston Occupier]

==Follow and Contribute on Social Media==

For information on marches and actions, don't forget to join us on [https://www.facebook.com/OccupyBoston?ref=ts Facebook] and [http://twitter.com/#%21/Occupy_Boston Twitter]!<br/>Check out the [[Solidarity|Solidarity]] page for hundreds of Occupation related media sites.

==Direct Action==

:Participate in [[Bank Transfer Day]] - on or before 5 November 2011<br/>

==Contacts==
{{:Participate/Contacts}}

==Visit The Historic "Occupation Boston" Dewey Square==

Here is a map of the site as it was configured during the Occupy Boston occupation:
[[File:OccupyBoston map.jpg|right|250px|Map of Occupy Boston. Click to Enlarge.]]

==How to Start A New Occupation==

See this page for[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies How to Start A New Occupation]]

Participate

2014-06-06T05:07:21Z

Terra:

WELCOME! to OCCUPATION BOSTON's '''"Participate"''' Page.
Here you will find ways to '''join in!'''

* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/RESOURCES Click here for a great Activist 101 list of local resources]]
*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
* [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Individual_Action Suggestions for Individual Action]]
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Education BACKGROUND READING]] on issues that brought us together
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Other_Places Occupy Groups in Other Towns in Massachusetts]]
*[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies Suggestions for New Occupy Groups in Other Towns]]
*[[LISTS to get on]] to particpate in the discussion and connect with people
*[[CALENDARS to check out]] to find rallies/actions/events/film nights/lectures, etc

== '''Find a meeting''' ==

Go to the [[Calendar]] produced by [[Media]] working group. (Click the agenda tab, it is much more readable then). This calendar agenda is also on the right side of the [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] main site. Be sure to attend a [[General Assembly]] to 'see what democracy looks like' and help to develop a consensus. General Assemblies are usually at 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday and 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, but they are in flux after the recent eviction, so check the [[Calendar]] to be sure.

===Volunteer===

*See the [[VOLUNTEER DETAILS]] page
* '''''For more info[mailto:volunteer@occupyboston Email Us]. You can also email the [mailto:InfoTent@occupyboston.org InfoTent] who are onsite.
'''''

There is also an [[Outreach]] committee for people to help spread the message and make contacts with other organizations.

==Join a [[:Category:Working groups|working group]]==
[[:Category:Working groups|Working groups]] meet at the Occupy Boston site and/or work remotely. They all have a presence on the internet with their own email listserves, pages on this wiki, twitter feeds, facebook pages, and other communication outlets.

Get on the Daily Update list: https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/obupdates

==Donate==
:The [[Donate]] and [[Logistics]] pages on this wiki provide lists of items that are still needed for our continued efforts to organize and to help those in need. There is also a list generated by OBLogistics on twitter at [http://twitter.com/#%21/OBLogistics http://twitter.com/#!/OBLogistics]
:At camp, check the lists posted by the [[Logistics]] Tent. (When you first walk into the Occupy Boston camp in Dewey Square from the South Station side you see on your left the Logistics tent.)
:To donate money, the main occupy Boston website at [http://occupyboston.org http://occupyboston.org] is the place to go. Currently on the right hand side are lists of various funds that have been set up for donations and links to an easy way to make donations.<br/>
:<br/>
:Occupy Boston also has a dontation box at large meetings, which are deposited in an accout at a local credit union.<br/>
:<br/>
:You may mail checks to this address:<br/>
Occupy Boston<br>
PO Box 51162<br>
Boston, MA 02205<br>
''Please make checks payable to "OccupyBoston FAWG". The FAWG is the Financial Accountability Working Group. For details about Occupation Boston financial matters, please contact the [mailto:fawg-record@lists.occupyboston.org FAWG], or go to the FAWG Working Group page from the Working Group link on the left.

==Educate==

Join this wiki (click the link in the extreme top right). Then you can contribute content and engage in discussions. There are multiple groups of people working on documents and discussing ideas. Be sure to check the discussion tab on an page that interests you. See what other people are saying about that page, contribute your comments.

Interesting pages include:

*[[Occupy 101]] briefly describes the fundamentals of Occupy Boston.
*[[WG/Strategies|Strategies (Strategies, Proposals, Positions)]] - This Working group is dedicated to discussing societal issues, determining their root causes, and responding with actionable proposals.
*[[Optimistic visions]] - the primary idea is to generate a store of positive ideas that we can contemplate, share, and work to manifest.

===Outreach===

:The [[Outreach]] working group can help you to poster, or set up an information table in your town. It has a [[Graphic Design]] page where Learn how print the stickers to hand out during canvassing and to spread the message! Here is also where you will find ideas on you can work as a blogger or tweeter to build the movement. Outreach Committee meetings are Fridays at 6 p.m. by the Gandhi statue.

:Some working groups sometimes meet offsite or are actively collaborating with other groups. For example, the Labor [[Outreach]] Committee meets Mondays at 4:30pm at SEIU 615 to accommodate the labor organization members who wish to actively participate in our group process.

:Get involved in an ongoing project. Want to work on an encampment paper? Check out [http://bostonoccupier.com The Boston Occupier]

==Follow and Contribute on Social Media==

For information on marches and actions, don't forget to join us on [https://www.facebook.com/OccupyBoston?ref=ts Facebook] and [http://twitter.com/#%21/Occupy_Boston Twitter]!<br/>Check out the [[Solidarity|Solidarity]] page for hundreds of Occupation related media sites.

==Direct Action==

:Participate in [[Bank Transfer Day]] - on or before 5 November 2011<br/>

==Contacts==
{{:Participate/Contacts}}

==Visit The Historic "Occupation Boston" Dewey Square==

Here is a map of the site as it was configured during the Occupy Boston occupation:
[[File:OccupyBoston map.jpg|right|250px|Map of Occupy Boston. Click to Enlarge.]]

==How to Start A New Occupation==

See this page for[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Suggestions_for_New_Occupies How to Start A New Occupation]]

Banking

2014-06-06T03:13:01Z

Terra:

Individual Action

2014-06-05T06:22:27Z

Terra:

Marching and educating are critical components of the movement. And what better way to get some exercise and/or meet your neighbors. But beyond teach-ins and rallies, what can we do in our daily lives? Teach ourselves how to "OCCUPY THE ECONOMY" and "OCCUPY OUR CULTURE" and "OCCUPY THE SYSTEM"...to evoke change from within and without.

Here are some ideas...

From Sage:

"What i do every day is where the rubber meets the road ... talking with
people to raise radical consciousness, shifting people's frames, getting
people to see outside the box, creative actions that get people to think
and to see the Matrix-like control society that we live in, and the
Mordor-like rapacious extraction of resources from the Earth, and the
cancerous growth machine that is praised on TV."

Other ideas...

==SUBVERSIVE/INVISIBLE[[CATALYSM]]==

Subversive evolutionary [[CATALYSM]] is the art of figuring out how to change systems without anyone noticing, or noticing so little that they don't care. Big change can be made this way. Click here for more info: [[CATALYSM]]

==BECOME A "FREEGAN"==

[[https://sites.google.com/site/livingwithoutmoney/ Give up money all together...here's how]], at this link, scroll down and look at the buttons on the left

==ECONOMIC VOTING (vote w/yo buck)==

- BUY LOCAL, whereever possible, including buying from locally owned stores. doing so keeps half of your money local, more if you focus on locally MADE products.

- move your money from big-bank to local credit union (credit unions are run by members who control the direction/policies)

- buy from "responsible companies", who support living wages for their employees and practice environmentally responsible sourcing.

-- want a more detailed definiton of a "responsible company?" [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Set_of_ethical_business_practices get a defintion here]

-- the [[http://www.goodguide.com "Good Guide"]] has great suggestions:

- support healthy food chains (buy local, eat as much organic as you can, try not to support toxic chemical companies, make new page w/details]

- join in on the other work going on in the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Sustainable_Economy Sustainable Economy Working Group]] The WG will be posting a list of what it thinks are "good rating groups" to decide where to put your money. Stay tuned! Better yet, join us!

- [[http://rule19.org/whatworks/c-actions.htm AWESOME economic and education action suggestion site]]

==Start a Coperative and/or a Social Enterprise==

Start your own (or join up with a) horizontally and democratically run organization such as a "co-operative" or [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Social_Enterprise#Resources social enterprise]]. See the link for resources, including lists of co-ops that are already in place..

As an example of a coop that's starting up, check out the [[Individual_Action/SGCC|Sheba Green Cleaning Coop]].

=="Take Over" your LOCAL GOVERNMENT==

- get involved in your local government. go to meetings and voice concerns about things. You may laugh, but most serious long, term activists have taken over some part of their local government, either getting budgets directed to support their cause, taking control of certain departments, or creating "study groups" as a prelude to changing laws, legislative process, and/or entire Master Plans

Here are some specific ideas on how you can change your local governemtn

-- put in place "Local Rights-Based Ordinances" to establish rights over commerce/profit. This is a direct and successfully proven challenge to illegitimate government action to suppress "natural laws".

-- buy local/sustainable policies (most governments do this, but check to be sure yours is doing so)

-- divesting government money from multi-national banks (investing in credit unions and local banks helps the local economy)

-- getting toxins out of government operations, weed killers, fertilizers, cleaning products, office products, etc etc.

-- getting things on line and reducing paper usage

-- increasing opportunities for low income housing by allowing rooming houses, etc (BEWARE of "affordable housing" scams in the suburbs promoted by developers, though! Conscientious developers have plenty of ways to develop affordable housing, if they want to...they don't need us to give out "corporate welfare" by destroying our communities with "zoning incentives". These work great in high density urban environments...but not where precious green space still exists.)

-- increase "access" to government, by putting more online, having evening hours, etc. government is controlled by the people who are lucky enough to be able to go to meetings. most working people can not go. so government ends up being run by elites. online access helps remove that barrier to the people.

- register to vote (yeah, a lot of us don't like "the system", but we're in it, so let's at least vote)

And...of course:

==SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL "OCCUPY"==

- Put a tent in your yard! A sign on your car!
- Hand out flyers...poster your town... Meet with local community groups.
- March! (it's great exercise and you get to meet interesting people!
- Organize a meeting in your town
- JOIN a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Working_Groups Working Group!]]
- START A WORKING GROUP!
- volunteer@occupyboston.org
- If there's an encampment, camp, Cook food, bring blankets, donate cash, come and help...

MARCH/PROTEST/HOLD A SIGN

- get involved with local activists who care about the same issues you do.

- MARCH! it's good exercise! and keeps the issues in the media

- make up a BIG SIGN out of cardboard and stand on any street corner. Check out the Sign Tent for inspiration on what to say on your sign. Or just say what you mean!

- contact us for dates of marches/rallies, or look at the calendar at www.occupyboston.org (on the right side)

==MAKE ART and WRITE!==

Write and blog EVERYWHERE. Put your mark on everything you feel comfortable putting your mark on. Here's a suggestion for [[Moss Grafitti]]

== TEACHING CHILDREN ACTIVISM ==

[[Teaching Children Activism]]

==READ A BOOK... Give up commercial "stuff"==

We know it sounds like it couldn't possibly amount to much, but imagine is everyone stopped buying crap, and watching TV? I mean how exactly do you stop being afraid of terrorism? well, turn off the TV!

[[Category:Uncategorized]]

2014-06-05T04:19:23Z

Terra:

Banking

2014-06-05T04:18:33Z

Terra:

Banking

2014-06-05T04:16:38Z

Terra:

Banking

2014-06-05T04:15:54Z

Terra:

2014-01-04T19:14:01Z

Terra: /* Change NSA's Mission to SUPPORT those rights */

This is a page for ideas on how to restructure government to serve people better.

This page is intended to be "beyond that which is on the table currently". The page is broken up into two sections. Long term, for extremely radical ideas...such as removing all currency. The top half is for radical reformation ideas.

This page emerged from the discussion about how corporations have too much control over our government and what to do about it.

== SHORT/MEDIUM TERM RADICAL REFORMATION ==

==== Establish RIGHT TO COMMONS, and basic needs ====
* - right to basic shelter
* - right to basic healthcare
* - right to clean water
* - right to clean air
* - right to healthy food
* - right to basic internet access
* - right to living wage
* - right to open space (green space, parks etc)
All corporations must respect these rights or be taxed to pay for costs associated with satisfying those rights, with specific penalties associated with the overhead of clean up and retroactive punity.

==== Change NSA's Mission to SUPPORT those rights ====
Have NSA go after the real criminals. Wall Street. Polluters. Worker-abuse. The NSA has NO INCENTIVE to look at Wall Street, or banks. In fact, it's illegal if they do. And yet the agencies that DO have the mission to prevent financial misdeeds to our currency and other crimes against nature are NOT COVERED in NSA's mission. NSA's mission is to look for physical/virtual threats according to an archaic definition of threats. We would (could?) redefine what a threat to the public is, including ripping us off, pollution, lying, etc. THAT would be the most useful thing I could think of for NSA. And the NSA employees might actually like that shift in mission. It might actually help the commerc and SEC to "do their job" if that mission was shifted. That being said, we need to revise our whole concept of public responsibility. Currently, too much of "our government" is focused on protection of profit. This evolved from the early days of the constitution which protected the right to private property...as opposed to the King owning all of it. The intention, as I read the records, was to protect the right for a farmer to own enough to feed his family, NOT for the right to rip off the entire nation. BUT a lot of case law has evolved to set the stage for the gov't effectly being used as the "piracy guarantee corporation", to keep the public out of the get away route.

== LONG TERM ULTIMATE GOALS / ADVANCED IDEAS ==

ANARCHY: Return to local rule by tribal council, or no rule at all. Total anarchy. [I put this here, to let you know that I understand that some people want this, and that it may be completely possible long term. Personally, I (Terra) am focusing on Radical Reformation, but want a space to put ideas for advanced thinking]