Common Security Club Intro Session
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1 Introductory Session Real Security In Hard Times Thanks again for stepping up to lead a common security club. This introductory session is a way to bring people together and gauge interest in starting a club. We have designed it to give people a flavor of the benefits of being together. Facilitator Overview Objectives • Introduce the concept of a common security club: the goals, expectations, and an overview of how one works. • Give people an opportunity to connect with one another around the ways the economic crisis is touching them. • Establish the theme of a “fork in the path,” that we have choices in how we respond to the stress of the “Great Recession,” and that we can increase our personal security by joining a club. • Enable participants to imagine other ways to respond to our personal and community situations. • Identify those who want to form a club and plan the next meeting. Preparation • Familiarize yourself with the common security club concept. • Read this entire guide through at least once to get an idea of the material the educational sessions will cover. • Review the agenda for the introductory session. Adapt talking points to the specific needs of your community and host organization. • Copy the handouts for participants. For a list, see the Handouts section, below. • Optional: Prepare large posters or charts. The step‐by‐step procedure for presenting this session contains references to optional charts. The charts can be posted around the room, or, if you have an easel, they can be assembled into a flipchart. Using charts is an option and we don’t think they are required in order to conduct a productive session.
description
I\'m looking into this as a possibility for some of the neighborhood groups that I work with.
Transcript of Common Security Club Intro Session
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Introductory Session Real Security In Hard Times
Thanksagainforsteppinguptoleadacommonsecurityclub.Thisintroductorysessionisawaytobringpeopletogetherandgaugeinterestinstartingaclub.Wehavedesignedittogivepeopleaflavorofthebenefitsofbeingtogether.
Facilitator Overview
Objectives • Introducetheconceptofacommonsecurityclub:thegoals,expectations,
andanoverviewofhowoneworks.• Givepeopleanopportunitytoconnectwithoneanotheraroundthewaysthe
economiccrisisistouchingthem.• Establishthethemeofa“forkinthepath,”thatwehavechoicesinhowwe
respondtothestressofthe“GreatRecession,”andthatwecanincreaseourpersonalsecuritybyjoiningaclub.
• Enableparticipantstoimagineotherwaystorespondtoourpersonalandcommunitysituations.
• Identifythosewhowanttoformaclubandplanthenextmeeting. Preparation
• Familiarizeyourselfwiththecommonsecurityclubconcept.• Readthisentireguidethroughatleastoncetogetanideaofthematerialthe
educationalsessionswillcover.• Reviewtheagendafortheintroductorysession.Adapttalkingpointstothe
specificneedsofyourcommunityandhostorganization.• Copythehandoutsforparticipants.Foralist,seetheHandoutssection,
below.• Optional:Preparelargepostersorcharts.Thestep‐by‐stepprocedurefor
presentingthissessioncontainsreferencestooptionalcharts.Thechartscanbepostedaroundtheroom,or,ifyouhaveaneasel,theycanbeassembledintoaflipchart.Usingchartsisanoptionandwedon’tthinktheyarerequiredinordertoconductaproductivesession.
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Materials • Posterpaperorblankflipchartandeasel• Markers• Nametags• Blankparticipantsign‐insheetswithspaceforname,address,phone,and
email.• CopiesofEconomic Meltdown Funnies(availablefordownloadingor
orderingat www.economicmeltdownfunnies.org) • CopiesofthearticleWe’re in This Together,byChuckCollins,Sojourners,
Feb.2009,onthewebat: http://commonsecurityclub.org/?p=20"www.commonsecurityclub.org/?p=20
• Printer‐friendlyversionat: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&mode=printer_friendly&issue=soj0902&article=we-re-in-this-together www.tinyurl.com/d9tqyk
Handouts
• Participant Agenda(AttachmentIntro‐1).Itcanbecopiedback‐to‐backwith…
• Overview of Facilitated Sessions(AttachmentIntro‐2).• Pass-Around Read-Aloud: Facing Economic Change (AttachmentIntro‐3).
Singlecopyonly. • What is a Common Security Club?(AttachmentIntro‐4).Thisisatwo‐page
handoutthatcanbecopiedback‐to‐back.• Homework for Session 1(AttachmentIntro‐5).• Optional:CopiesoftheresponsivereadingWriting a Shared Story / Rabbi
Johan Dev Pesner(AttachmentIntro‐6).Ifyouplantousethisreading,youmaywanttomakeenoughcopiessothateveryonecanjoininontheresponses.
• Reading: A Great Time To Be Alive / MLKing (AttachmentIntro‐7).Singlecopyonly.
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Summary Agenda Gathering (10 minutes) Introductions and Agenda Review (10) Brainstorm: What economic signs of the times do we see? (5) Why a Common Security Club? (20) Ashortpresentationbythefacilitator
Club Ground Rules (5) Pairs Discussion: Personal sharing about the economic crisis (10)
Participantstaketurnstalkinginpairsabouthowtheeconomiccrisisistouchingthem.
Sharing Back: How the economic crisis is touching us (10) Volunteersreportbackwhattheylearnedaboutthemselvesinthepairs
discussion. Forming a Club (20)
Ashortpresentationbythefacilitatorexplainingtheworkingsofacommonsecurityclub.Questionsanddiscussion.
Next steps (15)
Enlistvolunteerstohelporganizefuturesessions,schedulethosesessions,andprepareforSessionOne.
Closing prayer or reading (5)
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Facilitator’s Detailed Agenda
Gathering (10 min) Welcomeeveryoneindividuallyandaskthemtosignin.
Beginwithaculturalactivityappropriatetoyourgroup:sharingfood,singing,prayer,secularinspirationalreading,etc.WerecommendusingRabbi Jonah Dov Pesner / Writing a Shared Story (AttachmentIntro‐6)asawaytoacknowledgeprivatepaininindividualswhileofferingthepossibilityofcollectiveremedy;alternatively,locateareadingofyourownchoicethatoffersasimilarmessage.
Introductions and Agenda Review (10) Welcomeeveryoneformally,thankthehost,andintroduceyourself.Haveparticipantsbrieflyintroducethemselveswiththeirnameandwheretheylive.
DistributetheParticipant Agenda(AttachmentIntro‐1)andbrieflyreviewit.
DistributeWhat is a Common Security Club?(AttachmentIntro‐3).Offerabriefdescriptionofacommonsecurityclub:
Acommonsecurityclubisaplacetocometogethertoincreaseourpersonalsecurityinarapidlychangingworld.
Learning Together:Awaytolearnabouttherootcausesofoureconomicandecologicalchallenges.
Mutual Aid:Achancetobuildrelationshipsthatstrengthenoursecurity,andtakeconcretestepsformutualaidandsharedaction.
Social Action: Anopportunitytobepartofalargerefforttocreateafairandhealthyeconomythatworksforeveryone.
Intheprocess,wegettoknowneighbors(coworkers,etc),findinspiration,havefun,andstrengthencommunity.
Brainstorm: What Signs of the Times Do We See? (5) Postorfliptosomeblankposterpapertotakenotesduringthisactivity.Atthetopofthepaper,writethetitleSigns of the Times.
Posethisquestiontothewholegroup:Whatarethesignsofeconomicinsecuritythatyouseeinthesetimes?
Writeresponsesontheposterpaperasparticipantssaythem.
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Facilitatornote:Brainstormexercisesaredesignedtoelicitbriefresponsestoaquestion,tocreatealistofideaswithoutalotofconversation.Besuretoaddsomethingaboutyourpersonalinsecuritytothelistandsomeexamplesoflocalandnationalandinternationalinsecurity, e.g.bouncedchecks,libraryhourscutback,collegeloansdryingup,longunemploymentlines,andsoforth.
Mini-Presentation: Why a Common Security Club? (20)
Facing Economic Change
BeginwithashorttalkonthethemeofFacing Economic Change.
Facilitatornote:Thereareanumberofwaystoapproachthissection:youcouldofferyourownpersonalstoryaboutwhytheideaofacommonsecurityclubfeelsimportanttoyou,makingsuretotouchonsomeofthethemeslistedbelow.Oryoucouldputtogetherashorttalkthatislesspersonal,butcoversmostoftheideasbelowinyourownwords.Ifneitherofthoseapproachesworkforyou,thismaterialcanbepresentedtothegroupthroughwhatwecallaPass-Around Read-Aloud,whereaseriesofindividualstaketurnsreadingaparagraphortwofromasheetofpaperpassedaroundthegroup.You’llfindthetalkingpointsbelowwrittenupasahandoutforthatpurpose.[Pass-Around Read-Aloud: Facing Economic Change (AttachmentIntro‐4).]
Tough times may still lie ahead.Whilewemayseesomepositiveeconomicchanges,millionsofjobsarenotcomingback.Manyofusarefacingcontinuedeconomicinsecurityintermsofjobs,precarioushousingsituations,andlackofadequateincome.(Ifpossible,referdirectlyheretotheexamplesthatparticipantscameupwithintheSigns of the Timesbrainstorm.)
The economy is going through a fundamental transition.Weknowthattheeconomywillbeverydifferentintenortwentyyearsthanitistoday.Twoofthereasonsare:
• No more debt-fueled economic growth.Oureconomyhasdependedonhugelevelsofdebtfueledconsumption.Overthelastseveraldecades,welivedthrough“borrowedtimes”andranupagainstourcreditlimitsasasociety.Individuals,companies,banks,andevennationshaveborrowedmorethantheycaneverpayback.Ourfinancialassetswereovervaluedwhichisstillleadingtoforeclosures,bankruptcies,layoffs,andservicecutbacks.
• Our economic model is not ecologically sustainable. Humanityhasborrowedfromthepast(energystoredasfossilfuelsforeons),andwehaveborrowedfromthefuture(foulingtheatmospherewithcarbonthatwon’tdissipateforacentury).Ourfutureeconomicsecurityrequiresustolivewithintheearth’scapacityandadapttochanges.
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Our club is a place to prepare.Weneedtothinknowabouthowwecanweprepareourselvesforchange–bothpersonallyandasacommunity.Therearepracticalthingswecandotogetherthatwillincreaseoureconomicsecurityandcommunityresilience.
Our democratic system is broken.Partofthebreakdownisthatourpoliticalsystemhasbeencapturedbyhugecorporationsthatarefocusedonveryshorttermgains.Theoilindustrywantstoblockchangesinenergysystems.WallStreetblockedmuchoftheneededfinancialreformaftertheeconomymeltdown.ThefinancialreformthatpassedinJuly2010doesnotendtheriskybehaviorthatcausedthemeltdown.Weneedtobeengagedascitizenstoholdgovernmentaccountableandtobeonoursidepreparingforthefuture.
Cultural Messages about the Economy
Preparesomeblankposterpapertotakenotesduringthisactivity.Atthetopofthepaper,writethetitleCultural Messages.Poseanopenquestiontothegroup:
Whatmessageshaveweabsorbedabouttheideaofeconomicsuccessorfailure?
Ifparticipantsareslowtoofferideas,helpthemgetstartedbyofferingafewexamplesfromthelistbelow,sotheyunderstandhowyou’reaskingthemtothinkaboutthequestion.Allownomorethantenminutesforthisactivity.Attheend,checktoseeifanythingthatseemsimportanttoyoubelowhasbeenomitted;ifso,addit.
• Youneedtofigurethisoutalone.Economicstrugglesareareasonforpersonalshame.
• Youareonyourown(YOYO)
• Don’ttalkaboutyoureconomicrealitywithanyoneelse–itiseithershamefullybad,embarrassinglybetterorjustterriblyinappropriateanduncomfortable.
• Interdependenceisreflectionoffailure;mutualaiddoesn’tworkandisinconvenient;yourpainshouldbeprivate.(RefertoRabbiPesnerreadinginAttachmentIntro‐6.)
• Theplayingfieldofeconomiccompetitionislevel.Youcanpullyourselfupbyyourbootstraps;beaselfmademan.
• Economicwinnersdeservetotakethebestplace;losersdon’tdeserveanything.
• Watchoutforotherpeoplelessfortunateorlesshardworking–theywillwanttotakeyourstuff.Hoard,barricade,cutyourselfofffromothers.
• Thegovernmenttendstorewardthelazyinsteadofthehardworking.
• Infinitegrowthandexpansionisthesignofahealthyeconomy.Limits,conservationandfrugalityareforlosersandoccasionalbadtimes.
CLOSINGCOMMENT:Oneofthethingswecandoinacommonsecurityclubischoose
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adifferentsetofmessagesaboutwhatitmeanstobeeconomicallysuccessful,andhowwerelatetootherpeopleaboutourfinanciallives. Personal Responses: Fork in the Road
Beginthiskeysectionbydrawingaquickpictureoftwodivergingpathsonablankpieceofposterpaper:
ExplainthattheconceptofA Fork in the Road,illustratingthedifficultchoicesthatfaceus.Talkingpointscouldinclude:
• Whenfacedwithadversity,ourinstinctsoffertwochoices:fightorflight.Intheseuncertaintimes,wecanseethesechoicesreflectedinthechoicebetweenfearandhope,isolationandsocialaction,selfprotectionandcommonsecurity.
• One Path:Self‐protectionRetreatingintofear,isolation,selfblame,scapegoating,individualaction,ora“hunkeringdown”fortressmentality.
The Other Path:BandingtogetherWorkingtogether,wecanaccomplishthingsthatnoonepersonorfamilycanaccomplish–aswithbarnraisingsacenturyago.Thisisa“newstory,”astorythatshowshowinventive,creativeandcooperativewecanbe,evenduringhardtimes.
Forming a Club: What Have We Got?
OnceyouhaveintroducedtheideaofA Fork in the Road,explainhowformingacommonsecurityclubcouldhelpusfollowapathtowardworkingtogethertosolveoureconomicproblems.Talkingpointscouldinclude:
• Aneconomyorganizedaroundwinnersandlosersleavesusfeelinginsecure,isolated,exhaustedandanxious.
• Wefeelmoresecure,resourceful,andempoweredwhenweparticipateinsomegroupactivity,andexperienceaconnectiontoourcommunity.
• Wecanlearntolivedifferentlyinchangingtimes.
• Whatwecan’tdoonourown,wecanstarttodotogether–wehavethe
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potentialtocreatecommonsecurity.
• Wehavemorethanwethinkwedo,whenwepoolourenergyandresources.
Presentation: Club Ground Rules (5) Optional Chart
Ground Rules Sharing is voluntary
Respect one another
Confidentiality
Offer advice only when asked
Honor our differences
Inthenextsectionofthisintroductorysession,participantswillbeaskedtospeakabouthowtheeconomiccrisisisaffectingthempersonally.First,though,it’simportanttoestablishgroundrules.ReadaloudtheseGround Rules,checktoseeifthereareanyquestions,andthenexplicitlyaskforeveryonetoactivelyassenttotheseagreements.
• Youdon’thavetoshareorpersonallydiscloseanythingyoudon’twishtoshare.
• Wearecreatingaspaceofrespectandpersonalsafety.
• Confidentialitywithinthegroupisrequired.Youshouldnotshareanyinformationaboutanyoneelseoutsidethegroup.
• Onlyofferadvicewhenitisaskedfororwelcomedbyanotherperson.
• Weassumethatpeopleareexperiencingtheeconomiccrisisdifferentlydependingontheirclass,culture,race,genderandotherdifferences.Letushonorandcelebrateourdifferences.Regardlessofourdifferences,weallcanbenefitfromstrengtheningourcommonsecurity.
Pairs Discussion: Personal Sharing about the Economic Crisis (10) Askparticipantstopairoffandintroducethemselvestothepersonnexttothem.Inturn,eachpersonshouldtakefourtofiveminutestorespondtothequestion:
Whatareoneortwowaystheeconomiccrisisistouchingyoupersonally?
RemindparticipantsoftheGround Rules:
• Theydonotneedtodiscloseanythingtheydon’tfeelcomfortablesharing.
• Thereisapledgeofconfidentially.
• Donotofferadvice,justlisten.
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Afterfiveminuteshavepassed,remindthepairstotraderoles,sothatthespeakerbecomesthelistenerandvice‐versa.
Sharing Back: How the Economic Crisis Is Touching Us (10) Aftertenminuteshavepassed,gentlyinterrupttheconversationstoaskparticipantstocomebacktogetherinthelargegroup.Askforashortsilencewhilepeoplethinkabouttheirconversations.Askforacoupleofvolunteerstosharewiththelargegrouphowtheeconomiccrisisistouchingthempersonally.Askthevolunteerstolimittheircommentstoaminuteortwo.Remindthegroupthatnooneisobligedtoshare.
Facilitatornote:Remindthevolunteers,ifnecessary,thatwewanttohearwhattheysharedaboutthemselves,notwhattheylearnedabouttheirpartner.
Presentation: Forming a Club (20) Optional Chart
Forming a Club How the Club Would Work
Overview of the Six Facilitated Sessions
Understanding Our Limits
Should We Start a Club?
How the Club Would Work
Outlinetheworkingsofacommonsecurityclub:
• Thoseofuswhoareinterestedinformingaclubagreetomeetforsixmoresessions.
• Afterthat,thegroupcandecidewhetheritwantstocontinuemeeting–orformsubgroupstopursuespecificactivitiesandinterests.(Suggestedtopicsandagendasareavailableonthecommonsecurityclub.orgwebsite.)
• Clubsareselfmanaging,sowewillneedvolunteerstohelpcoordinate,scheduleandhostmeetings.
• Ioranotherfacilitatorwillcofacilitatewithavolunteerthefirstsixsessions.Afterthat,theclubwillbeselffacilitating.
Overview of the Six Facilitated Sessions
TheOverview of Facilitated Sessions(AttachmentIntro‐2)describesthesix
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facilitatedsessionsthatfollowthisintroductorysession.IfyoudidnotcopythishandoutontothereversesideofAttachmentIntro‐1,distributeitnow.Otherwise,asktheparticipantstoflipovertheiragendastofindtheOverview.Giveparticipantsacoupleofmomentstoreadit.
Understanding Our Limits
Itisimportantforustohaverealisticexpectationsforwhatasmallgroupcanaccomplish.Spendsometimemakingthefollowingpoints:
• Ouragendasassumesomemutualtrustandaredesignedtoenhancecollaboration,butnotallparticipantswillwanttoengagepersonally.
• Groupsmustrecognizeemotionalandfinanciallimits.(Wecan’tbeabankoratherapistforeachother.)
• SmallvoluntarygroupscannotreplacetheimpactofgovernmentsponsoredprogramslikefoodstampsorSocialSecurity.Acrimewatchgroupcanhelpdetercrimebutwestillneedapoliceforceandjusticesystem.
Askparticipantstotakeanotherlookatthehandoutdistributedearlier:What is a Common Security Club?(AttachmentIntro‐3).Allowabouttenminutesforpeopletoaskquestionsandengageindiscussion.
Should We Start a Club?
Askparticipantswhocancommittocomingtothesixfacilitatedsessionsoutlinedontheoverviewsheet.
Facilitatornote:Askthosepeoplewhodon’twanttocometofuturesessionsiftheywouldwaitafewminutesbeforeleavingsothatthemeetingcanclosewitheveryonetogether.
Presentation: Next Steps (15)
Enlist Volunteers and Assign Roles
Askforvolunteerstotakeongrouprolesfornextmeeting.Forexample:Threepeopleforsnacksfornextmeeting,twopeopleforremindercallsoremails,oneortwoformakingcharts,onesecretarytotypeupthecontactlist,oneortwoforco‐facilitating.
Optional:Youcancreatetitlesforthevariousrolesthatvolunteerswillneedtofill.Forexample,theCommunicationsCoordinatorwouldbeinchargeoftypingupaphonetreeandemaillistandsendingoutmeetingremindersandanyotherrelated
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groupcommunications.AFoodCzarmightberesponsibleforsnacks,platesandutensils.OtherpossibletitlescouldincludeChart‐maker,Notetaker,Timekeeper,andCo‐facilitator.
Schedule Future Sessions
Determinethebesttimesfortheclubtomeet,anddecidehowoftenyouwanttomeet:weekly,bi‐weekly,etc.
OneoptionistouseanonlineschedulingtoolsuchasMeetingWizard,whichmakesiteasytofigureoutwhatthebesttimeisforthemostpeople.Gotohttp://www.meetingwizard.com formoreinformation.
Besuretogeteveryone’semailaddressandothercontactinformationbeforethegroupdeparts.
Assign Homework for Session 1
DistributethehandoutHomework for Session 1(AttachmentIntro‐5).Itcontainsreferencestotworequiredreadings,aninterpersonalexercise,andoptionalresourcesthatcanbefoundonline.
Closing (5) Thankeveryoneforcomingandbringthemeetingtoaclosewithaculturalactivityappropriatetoyourgroup:asong,prayer,secularinspirationalreading,etc.LocateyourownorconsidertheoneprovidedinAttachmentIntro‐7:A Great Time To Be Alive / ML King.
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ATTACHMENT Intro-1
Participant Agenda Introductory Session: Real Security in Hard Times
Gathering (10 minutes) Introductions and Agenda Review (10) Brainstorm: What economic signs of the times do we see? (5) Why a Common Security Club? (20) Ashortpresentationbythefacilitator
Club Ground Rules (5) Pairs Discussion: Personal sharing about the economic crisis (10) Participantstaketurnstalkinginpairsabouthowtheeconomiccrisisistouchingthem. Sharing Back: How the economic crisis is touching us (10) Volunteersreportbackwhattheylearnedaboutthemselvesinthepairsdiscussion. Forming a Club (20) Ashortpresentationbythefacilitatorexplainingtheworkingsofacommonsecurityclub.Questionsanddiscussion. Next steps (15) Enlistvolunteerstohelporganizefuturesessions,schedulethosesessions,andprepareforSessionOne.Closing prayer or reading (5)
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ATTACHMENT Intro-2
Overview of Facilitated Sessions
Session 1. How Did We Get Here (And Where Are We?)
Theme:“‘WhatHappened?’TheRootsoftheEconomicCrisis.”
Explore“bubbleeconomics,”theimmediatecausesoftheeconomicmeltdownandthestructuralproblemsthatlimitreformoptions.
Session 2. Facing Economic Change Together
Theme:“Livingin‘BorrowedTimes.’”
Wearenotgoingbacktosomepastmodelofeconomicgrowth.Howdoweprepareourselvesandourcommunitiesforchange?
Session 3. Facing Ecological Change Together
Theme:“WeHaveBorrowedFromtheEarth.”Ecologicalchangescausedbyclimatechange,andtherealitythattheendofcheapfossilfuelsisnear,meanthatwemustchangeourexpectationsofhowtheeconomywillfunction.Whatlies“beyondgrowth”?
Session 4. Building Real Security
Theme:“WeCanFindNewSecurityTogether.”
Whatmakesussecure?Whatcanwedotogether?Whatcanweremember,relearn,revalue,reinventfromanearliertimeorfromotherplaces?
Session 5. Our Common Wealth
Theme:“RediscoveringSourcesofSharedWealthandSecurity.”
Exploreboththepowerofmutualaidandcommunitylevelsolutions;recognizetheneedforlargerscaleefforts.
Session 6. Where We’re Going
Theme:“HelpingtoGrowtheNewEconomy.”
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ATTACHMENT Intro-3
What is a Common Security Club?
Theseareuncertaintimes.TheGreatRecessionhasremindedusofourvulnerabilities.Debt.Foreclosure.UnemploymentandAnxiousEmployment.EvaporatingSavings.RisingCosts.JobInsecurity.Wecanfacethesechangesalone–orcometogether. What is a Common Security Club? Aplacetocometogethertoincreaseourpersonalsecurityinarapidlychangingworldby:
• Courageouslyfacingoureconomicandecologicalchallenges,learningtogetheraboutrootcauses.
• Buildingrelationshipsthatstrengthenoursecurityandtakingconcretestepsformutualaidandsharedaction.
• Rediscoveringtheabundanceofwhatwehaveandrecognizingthepossibilityofabetterfuture.
• Seeingourselvesaspartofalargerefforttocreateafairandhealthyeconomythatworksforeveryone.
Intheprocess,acommonsecuritycluballowsneighbors(co‐workers,etc)togettoknowoneanother,findinspiration,havefun,andstrengthencommunity.
Three Components of a Club LEARNING TOGETHER:Throughpopulareducationtools,videosandsharedreadings,participantsincreasetheirunderstandingofthelargereconomicforcesonourlives.Whyistheeconomyindistress?Howdidthesechangeshappen?Howdoesthisconnecttotheglobaleconomy?Whataretheecologicalfactorscontributingtothechanges?Whatisourvisionforahealthysustainableeconomy?HowcanIreducemyeconomicvulnerability?HowcanIgetoutofdebt?
MUTUAL AID:Throughstories,examples,web‐basedresources,aworkbookandmutualsupport,participantsreflectonwhatmakesthemsecure.HowcanIhelpmyneighborfacingforeclosureoreconomicinsecurity?Whatcanwedotogethertoincreaseoureconomicsecurityatthelocallevel?
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SOCIAL ACTION:Manyofourchallengeswon’tbesolvedthroughpersonalorlocalmutualaidefforts.Theyrequireustoworktogethertopressforlargerstate,nationalandevenglobalchanges.Comingtogether,howcanwebecomepoliticallyengagedtoreclaimourcountryfromthecasinocapitalists?Whatstateandfederalpolicieswillincreaseourpersonalsecurity?Canordinarycitizensaroundtheworldinfluencethereshapingoftheglobaleconomyoverthenextfewyears?Whatprogramwilltrulyaddresstheeconomicandecologicalrealitiesofourtime?
Structure of a Common Security Club Oneoftheprimarygoalsofcommonsecurityclubsistoconveneapublicprocessforparticipantstochallengetheirfeelingsofisolationandhelplessness.Clubsareself‐managing;theparticipantsthemselvestakeonresponsibilitiestohelpcoordinate,scheduleandhostmeetings.
Participantswillalsohelpthefacilitatortoprepareforandleadtheinitialseriesofsixmeetings.Afterthatserieshasbeencompleted,aclubcandecidewhetheritwantstocontinuemeeting–withvolunteerstakingoverfacilitationresponsibilities.Someclubsmayformself‐organizingsub‐groupstopursuespecificactivitiesandinterests.
The Common Security Club Network TheCommonSecurityClubNetworkisapilotprojectoftheProgramonInequalityandtheCommonGoodattheInstituteforPolicyStudiesandOntheCommons.Learnmoreat http://www.commonsecurityclub.org/
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ATTACHMENT Intro-4
Pass-Around Read-Aloud Facing Economic Change
Why is this a good time for common security clubs?
• Tough times may still lie ahead.Whilewemayseesomepositiveeconomicchanges,millionsofjobsarenotcomingback.Manyofusarefacingcontinuedeconomicinsecurityintermsofjobs,precarioushousingsituations,andlackofadequateincome.
• The economy is going through a fundamental transition.Weknowthattheeconomywillbeverydifferentintenortwentyyearsthanitistoday.Twoofthereasonsare:
1. No more debt-fueled economic growth.Oureconomyhasdependedonhugelevelsofdebt‐fueledconsumption.Overthelastseveraldecades,welivedthrough“borrowedtimes”andranupagainstourcreditlimitsasasociety.Individuals,companies,banks,andevennationshaveborrowedmorethantheycaneverpayback.Ourfinancialassetswereover‐valuedwhichisstillleadingtoforeclosures,bankruptcies,lay‐offs,andservicecut‐backs.
2. Our economic model is not ecologically sustainable. Humanityhasborrowedfromthepast(energystoredasfossilfuelsforeons),andwehaveborrowedfromthefuture(foulingtheatmospherewithcarbonthatwon’tdissipateforacentury).Ourfutureeconomicsecurityrequiresustolivewithintheearth’scapacityandadapttochanges.
• Our club is a place to prepare.Weneedtothinknowabouthowwecanweprepareourselvesforchange–bothpersonallyandasacommunity.Therearepracticalthingswecandotogetherthatwillincreaseoureconomicsecurityandcommunityresilience.
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Our democratic system is broken.Partofthebreakdownisthatourpoliticalsystemhasbeencapturedbyhugecorporationsthatarefocusedonveryshort‐termgains.Theoilindustrywantstoblockchangesinenergysystems.WallStreetblockedmuchoftheneededfinancialreformaftertheeconomymeltdown.ThefinancialreformthatpassedinJuly2010doesnotendtheriskybehaviorthatcausedthemeltdown.Weneedtobeengagedascitizenstoholdgovernment
accountableandtobeonoursidepreparingforthefuture.ATTACHMENT Intro-5
Homework for Session 1
We’regladthatyou’vedecidedtoformacommonsecurityclub!Nowyou’llembarkonaseriesofsixfacilitatedsessionstogetyourclublaunched.BetweennowandSession One,weaskthatyoudosomereadingathome,andcompleteoneinterpersonalexercise.
Required Reading The Economic Meltdown Funnies Ifyoudidn’treceiveacopyofthiscomicbookattheintroductorysession,itcanbereadonlineordownloadedat:http://www.economicmeltdownfunnies.org http://www.economicmeltdownfunnies.org/
Or,yourfacilitatorcanobtaincopiesfromtheCommonSecurityClubNetwork.
We’re in This Together. ChuckCollins,Sojourners,Feb.2009.Readitonlineat:http://commonsecurityclub.org/?p=20"www.commonsecurityclub.org/?p=20/
Formattedforprintingat:http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&mode=printer_friendly&issue=soj0902&article=we-re-in-this-together www.tinyurl.com/d9tqyk
Interpersonal Exercise
Breakingdownthesilenceandisolationaroundtheimpactofthesetougheconomictimesissoimportant.Weneedtoseethatweareinthistogethersowecancomeupwithsolutionstogether.Beforethenextsession,makeapointofaskingatleast3peoplehowtheeconomictimesareaffectingthem.Theymightbeneighbors,co‐workers,friendsorextendedfamily–anyoneyouknow.Mostpeoplehaven’thadthisconversationandaregladtoknowthatsomeonecaresenoughtoask.
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Optional Online Resources
Interviews with Two Common Security Club Members.Sojourners.netAudiointerviewsbyJeannieChoi.15minutestotal.
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=registration.magazine&returnURL=action%3Dmagazine.article%26issue%3Dsoj0902%26article%3Dcommon-security-club-members-share-their-stories"www.tinyurl.com/dcbakg (free registration required)
Great Pools of Money. ThisAmericanLife,Episode355.Radioshow.60‐minversion:http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355"www.tinyurl.com/5fl6z7
13‐minuteversion:http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=90327686&m=90327669www.tinyurl.com/afcpbf
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ATTACHMENT Intro-6
Responsive Reading Rabbi Jonah Dev Pesner / Writing a Shared Story
AdaptedfromtheInvocationbyRabbiPesnerattheInaugurationofGovernorDevalPatrick,January2007.
LEADER:IntheTalmud,theancientrabbisteachthatwheneverweencounteralargegatheringofpeople,itisappropriatetoofferthefollowingblessing:
ALL:
BlessedistheWiseOne
Whounderstandssecrets
Forthemindofeach
Isdifferentfromtheother
Justasthefaceofeach
Isdifferentfromtheother
LEADER:Lookaround!Seethebeautyofthefaces,EachoneuniqueReflectingtheveryimageOftheDivineEachonefromacommonsourceAsingle,sacredfamily.
ALL:
Yetbehindeveryface
Hidesomanysecrets.
Private,painfulsecretsofsuffering.
LEADER:
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Revealingallthesecrets,ThepainedsufferingOfparentswhowatchhelplessAstheirchildrenareplaguedByguns,drugs,andgangs
ALL:
Theprivatepain
Ofchildrenstrugglingtocarefortheirparents
Astheyageandgrowfrail,
LEADER:ThesecretsufferingofimmigrantsWholikeuscametothisplaceToseekabetterlife
ALL:
Ofourgaybrothersandlesbiansisters
Whodailyconfrontblatantdiscrimination,
Inequalityandhumiliation
LEADER:Ofthosewhosleepinthestreets,Thosewhoareoverworkedandunderpaid,ThosewhoareabusedintheirownhomesThosewhoareleftbehindBytheirdisabilities.Somanysecrets,Privatesufferings.
ALL:
Yetwehavehope.
Yeswehavefaith.
Becausewehaveeachother.
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LEADER:LetoursecretsofsufferingGivewaytostoriesofRebuildingRepairAndRedemption
ALL:
God,grantusyourwisdom
Towriteonesharedstory:
LEADER:ThestoryofacommonwealthThatactslikeacommonwealthWheresecretsofprivatesufferingWheretalesoflonelylanguishArejoinedThroughthepowerofthepeopleRisingupTogetherEncounteringoneanotherFacetofaceAndwritinganewstoryOnestory
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ATTACHMENT Intro-7
Reading Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. / A Great Time to Be Alive
ExcerptfromDr.King’sNobelPeacePrizeacceptancespeech,1964.
…Ihavethepersonalfaiththatmankindwillsomehowriseuptotheoccasionandgivenewdirectionstoanagedriftingrapidlytoitsdoom.Inspiteofthetensionsanduncertaintiesofthisperiodsomethingprofoundlymeaningfulistakingplace.Oldsystemsofexploitationandoppressionarepassingaway,andoutofthewombofafrailworldnewsystemsofjusticeandequalityarebeingborn.Doorsofopportunityaregraduallybeingopenedtothoseatthebottomofsociety.Theshirtlessandbarefootpeopleofthelandaredevelopinganewsenseof“some‐bodiness”andcarvingatunnelofhopethroughthedarkmountainofdespair.“Thepeoplewhosatindarknesshaveseenagreatlight."Hereandthereanindividualorgroupdarestolove,andrisestothemajesticheightsofmoralmaturity.Soinarealsensethisisagreattimetobealive.
Therefore,Iamnotyetdiscouragedaboutthefuture.Grantedthattheeasygoingoptimismofyesterdayisimpossible.Grantedthatthosewhopioneerinthestruggleforpeaceandfreedomwillstillfaceuncomfortablejailterms,painfulthreatsofdeath;theywillstillbebatteredbythestormsofpersecution,leadingthemtothenaggingfeelingthattheycannolongerbearsuchaheavyburden,andthetemptationofwantingtoretreattoamorequietandserenelife.Grantedthatwefaceaworldcrisiswhichleavesusstandingsooftenamidthesurgingmurmuroflife’srestlesssea.Buteverycrisishasbothitsdangersanditsopportunities.Itcanspelleithersalvationordoom.InadarkconfusedworldthekingdomofGodmayyetreignintheheartsofmen.
