Blog: The Citizens Handbook
Blog: The Citizens Handbook
Blog: The Citizens Handbook
The event attracted some new people interested in what is going on around them. The Common Good day event, also set out some of the benefits we could gain by more communication through our various groups and activities. A few highlights of the events and updates, follows.
Shopping ( 
Media day)
I worked with young folk during the week with the theme of shopping. We went for walks around town and the shops, took some pictures, wrote some essays and graphics on shopping and had discussions a the Electron talking about different aspects such as Needs, wants, branding, values, symbols, choice, propaganda (advertising) and the credit crunch
Walking
City Strolling was keeping everybody fit (Group from Adelphi centre) as we walked to Richmond Park under the guidance of someone who once lived near there. Noticing a big part of the park has been given over to a private housing development. Unbelievable that our young folk need to rely on a memory from someone for such vast areas of our city. Here any historical reference, and public institutions, has been obliterated - Our young folk are losing fast something they do not even know that they own as the common good fast becomes just another memory.
Common good day
CG day attracted a good diverse bunch of folk involved in various community projects and issues. We had Wyndford parents + waen, a group of artists doing a project in the Wyndford, (GogetGlasgow) Save Pollok Park, North Kelvin Meadow, New Social Art School, ASAP Scotland*, Burgh Angel news and others. Very interesting day. We agreed to do more.
Common Good Grant application
Below is a link to a grant form issued by a citizen of this city. On it is a brief description of the "Common Good" and an application form to apply for a common good grant. Remember the council only use the Common Good fund of Glasgow to fund junkets, mobile phone bills and fancy receptions - and who knows what else. Why cant it be used to fund a street party or celebration in your area?
Application form - or design your own for your town or village.
Information-read-first.pdf
Go on try it.
ASAP*
I came across Stephen Koepplinger (After School Activities Scotland) in the Wyndford estate as he led a team in stripping of the overgrown top-soil from a red blaze pitch behind the schools that were closed down and are now being demolished. Steve is working with folk from the Wyndford who are creating their own regeneration.
If you want to help at the pitch. Every Saturday from 10 at the Wyndford pitch. Bring a ball a few of your friends and a few snacks. Video -- Website
Reshuffle
Starting to organise for the January Reshuffle. If your group, yourself or anyone you may feel would be interested please let me know. Organising the Reshuffle is a lot of work mostly done by myself - so any kind of help is welcome. See here for last years program
Date for this years event will be 30 January - plenty time for people to organise, events stalls, discussions. 09 video
Common Good News
Hoping to start to put together at the beginning of the year a Common Good newspaper, for distribution nationwide - A kind of common Good awareness publication - setting out historical details of the CG, details of recent events, victories, and the CG as a tool for organising and enlivening our communities. This publication could also act as a precursor to a national Common Good Day, somewhere, sometime in 2010. (Reshuffle discussion?) Common Good for beginners
The Bridge
The Bridge network will endeavour to organise the connecting up of groups and folk connected with community organising everywhere. Feel free to join - create groups and tell us your news, views and events
Connecting communities everywhere
How We Organise was held at the Electron Club at CCA during Document7 Human Rights Film Festival
]]>
The event attracted some new people interested in what is going on around them. The Common Good day event, also set out some of the benefits we could gain by more communication through our various groups and activities. A few highlights of the events and updates, follows.
Shopping ( Media day)
I worked with young folk during the week with the theme of shopping. We went for walks around town and the shops, took some pictures, wrote some essays and graphics on shopping and had discussions a the Electron talking about different aspects such as Needs, wants, branding, values, symbols, choice, propaganda (advertising) and the credit crunch
Walking
City Strolling was keeping everybody fit (Group from Adelphi centre) as we walked to Richmond Park under the guidance of someone who once lived near there. Noticing a big part of the park has been given over to a private housing development. Unbelievable that our young folk need to rely on a memory from someone for such vast areas of our city. Here any historical reference, and public institutions, has been obliterated - Our young folk are losing fast something they do not even know that they own as the common good fast becomes just another memory.
Common good day
CG day attracted a good diverse bunch of folk involved in various community projects and issues. We had Wyndford parents + waen, a group of artists doing a project in the Wyndford, (GogetGlasgow) Save Pollok Park, North Kelvin Meadow, New Social Art School, ASAP Scotland*, Burgh Angel news and others. Very interesting day. We agreed to do more.
Common Good Grant application
Below is a link to a grant form issued by a citizen of this city. On it is a brief description of the "Common Good" and an application form to apply for a common good grant. Remember the council only use the Common Good fund of Glasgow to fund junkets, mobile phone bills and fancy receptions - and who knows what else. Why cant it be used to fund a street party or celebration in your area?
Application form - or design your own for your town or village.
Information-read-first.pdf
Go on try it.
ASAP*
I came across Stephen Koepplinger (After School Activities Scotland) in the Wyndford estate as he led a team in stripping of the overgrown top-soil from a red blaze pitch behind the schools that were closed down and are now being demolished. Steve is working with folk from the Wyndford who are creating their own regeneration.
If you want to help at the pitch. Every Saturday from 10 at the Wyndford pitch. Bring a ball a few of your friends and a few snacks. Video -- Website
Reshuffle
Starting to organise for the January Reshuffle. If your group, yourself or anyone you may feel would be interested please let me know. Organising the Reshuffle is a lot of work mostly done by myself - so any kind of help is welcome. See here for last years program
Date for this years event will be 30 January - plenty time for people to organise, events stalls, discussions. 09 video
Common Good News
Hoping to start to put together at the beginning of the year a Common Good newspaper, for distribution nationwide - A kind of common Good awareness publication - setting out historical details of the CG, details of recent events, victories, and the CG as a tool for organising and enlivening our communities. This publication could also act as a precursor to a national Common Good Day, somewhere, sometime in 2010. (Reshuffle discussion?) Common Good for beginners
The Bridge
The Bridge network will endeavour to organise the connecting up of groups and folk connected with community organising everywhere. Feel free to join - create groups and tell us your news, views and events
Connecting communities everywhere
How We Organise was held at the Electron Club at CCA during Document7 Human Rights Film Festival
]]>
When: 25 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
Find out about the common Good, what it is, what is happening to it, what it could and should be used for. How do we celebrate the Common Good 11am 12 30pm
Wyndford School parents: A presentation from the parents of the schools closed in the Wyndford Estate Maryhill. What happened - what the community did - and what they are doing now. Might even hear a few of the Wyndford songs 12 30pm -2pm
Do we have a "Roadmap" How do we get there from here?
Here we will be looking at some problems and issues and how we could go about dealing with them together. 2: 00 4: 00
---
This organising event itself will hopefully be about organising. It will be about using your initiative and getting on with things. If you want to do anything - make suggestions, have any ideas or do a workshop do a talk. Join the Bridge/ How We Organise Group and discuss, post and advertise your idea. Or send me an email. Post suggestions on Bridge group
So there is plenty of scope - plenty of time (5 days) - to make mistakes - rearrange ideas - and come up with new ones. Only way to learn really. Electron, CCA 21 - 25 Oct. During Document7
Any help you can offer most welcome. Any Questions: bob@citystrolls.com
Program will be formed as ideas come flowing in. B.
When: 25 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
Find out about the common Good, what it is, what is happening to it, what it could and should be used for. How do we celebrate the Common Good 11am 12 30pm
Wyndford School parents: A presentation from the parents of the schools closed in the Wyndford Estate Maryhill. What happened - what the community did - and what they are doing now. Might even hear a few of the Wyndford songs 12 30pm -2pm
Do we have a "Roadmap" How do we get there from here?
Here we will be looking at some problems and issues and how we could go about dealing with them together. 2: 00 4: 00
---
This organising event itself will hopefully be about organising. It will be about using your initiative and getting on with things. If you want to do anything - make suggestions, have any ideas or do a workshop do a talk. Join the Bridge/ How We Organise Group and discuss, post and advertise your idea. Or send me an email. Post suggestions on Bridge group
So there is plenty of scope - plenty of time (5 days) - to make mistakes - rearrange ideas - and come up with new ones. Only way to learn really. Electron, CCA 21 - 25 Oct. During Document7
Any help you can offer most welcome. Any Questions: bob@citystrolls.com
Program will be formed as ideas come flowing in. B.
When: 24 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
There are films featuring young people on saturday - see Document7 Program for times
The Electron will be given over to young folk to talk, do interviews and find out about community stuff, taking pictures, video and making audio recordings.
12am
Make your own news
Set out into town the Theme could be "shopping" take pictures talk to folk find out all you can about shopping from different angles. Study how folk shop. Why do you think they do so much of it? is this good or bad or just normal. Or find your own idea to cover. After you have done that bring what you have found out and photographed back and we will have a chat about what we have done, then make it into a newsletter - that you can take away.
12am
Make your own program
Figure out what topics you want to cover on your program. Figure out who is going to talk and who is going to ask questions who is going to do the recording and the technical stuff. Make the program then mix it down adding a bit of music on to a podcast you can take home.
Both of the above will be interactive. Bring your cameras, video, recorders if you have one. Don't worry if you don't have one. If this doesn't interest you there will be other things like designing banners and artwork and electronics.
When: 24 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
There are films featuring young people on saturday - see Document7 Program for times
The Electron will be given over to young folk to talk, do interviews and find out about community stuff, taking pictures, video and making audio recordings.
12am
Make your own news
Set out into town the Theme could be "shopping" take pictures talk to folk find out all you can about shopping from different angles. Study how folk shop. Why do you think they do so much of it? is this good or bad or just normal. Or find your own idea to cover. After you have done that bring what you have found out and photographed back and we will have a chat about what we have done, then make it into a newsletter - that you can take away.
12am
Make your own program
Figure out what topics you want to cover on your program. Figure out who is going to talk and who is going to ask questions who is going to do the recording and the technical stuff. Make the program then mix it down adding a bit of music on to a podcast you can take home.
Both of the above will be interactive. Bring your cameras, video, recorders if you have one. Don't worry if you don't have one. If this doesn't interest you there will be other things like designing banners and artwork and electronics.
When: 22 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
Meeting up looking at the present situation the good the bad and the ugly. If we are all working under the banner for social change we need to look at what we are doing "collectively" sometimes. Figure out what works, what is your experience, using each others ideas, sharing the workload, forming associations. How do we organise? basically.
This could be a jump off point for further activity in the future
There will be a shout out wall in the Electron Club where you can post stuff - write comments - organise other events - and tell us about your organisation or what you do - or would like to do.
Meet-up discussion 1pm 3 pm And 7: pm 9 pm
Organisation : Reinventing the wheel syndrome. Where does all of our time go? Why is it all the same people doing all the work? Exploring:
Communicating information with the public in a language they can understand and in experiences they recognise. Finding some issues to connect with. Why do we need networks? See also Sunday: "Roadmap" (Topics welcome)
When: 22 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
Meeting up looking at the present situation the good the bad and the ugly. If we are all working under the banner for social change we need to look at what we are doing "collectively" sometimes. Figure out what works, what is your experience, using each others ideas, sharing the workload, forming associations. How do we organise? basically.
This could be a jump off point for further activity in the future
There will be a shout out wall in the Electron Club where you can post stuff - write comments - organise other events - and tell us about your organisation or what you do - or would like to do.
Meet-up discussion 1pm 3 pm And 7: pm 9 pm
Organisation : Reinventing the wheel syndrome. Where does all of our time go? Why is it all the same people doing all the work? Exploring:
Communicating information with the public in a language they can understand and in experiences they recognise. Finding some issues to connect with. Why do we need networks? See also Sunday: "Roadmap" (Topics welcome)
When: 21 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
11 am - Drop in Day
Where - "Centre for Contemporary Arts" Foyer: Intro
Who are we. What do we do. Electron A walk round the premises check out the CCA. What is it, what does it do and how do we do some of it. Who are you. What would you like to do? Drop in, see a film, Check out the bookshop - see what the Electron and the CCA has to offer. Ask for Bob and I will help you with what you need to know. Also the Chap at the Radical Independent Bookshop is very helpful if you need directions and info and who's who.
We want to record as much of the event as possible if you have a camera or recording device and are interested in snapping, recording, or If you have ideas for a talk, walk, workshop, presentation, see bob@citystrolls.com
And don't be surprised if you are encouraged to join the Bridge Network because there will be more of this type of event being organised. Times may change slightly as things are added - Please check. Drop in today 21st and help to organise the space.
If you find or have anything of interest you would like to talk about post something on the shout-out wall at the electron. Make your own workshops, discussions, times. The CCA is open 10am till late.
When: 21 Oct 2009
Venue: cca
Organiser: Bridge Network
Tags: organising
11 am - Drop in Day
Where - "Centre for Contemporary Arts" Foyer: Intro
Who are we. What do we do. Electron A walk round the premises check out the CCA. What is it, what does it do and how do we do some of it. Who are you. What would you like to do? Drop in, see a film, Check out the bookshop - see what the Electron and the CCA has to offer. Ask for Bob and I will help you with what you need to know. Also the Chap at the Radical Independent Bookshop is very helpful if you need directions and info and who's who.
We want to record as much of the event as possible if you have a camera or recording device and are interested in snapping, recording, or If you have ideas for a talk, walk, workshop, presentation, see bob@citystrolls.com
And don't be surprised if you are encouraged to join the Bridge Network because there will be more of this type of event being organised. Times may change slightly as things are added - Please check. Drop in today 21st and help to organise the space.
If you find or have anything of interest you would like to talk about post something on the shout-out wall at the electron. Make your own workshops, discussions, times. The CCA is open 10am till late.
Created 342 days ago with 1 posts
Group: How we organise
topic: Organising the Organising - CCA - Document7 - How We Organise
Who wants to do a workshop?
Show films, presentations, technical advice.
Help with signage
On the day help
Advertise
Document events
Coordinate - And such like?
Created 342 days ago with 1 posts
Group: How we organise
topic: Organising the Organising - CCA - Document7 - How We Organise
Who wants to do a workshop?
Show films, presentations, technical advice.
Help with signage
On the day help
Advertise
Document events
Coordinate - And such like?
We don’t need to go too far back in history to see actions that are memorable, had an impact, made a difference and changed our world, even if only in a small way. For instance, in 1971 in Media, Pennsylvania USA, a group calling itself the Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI broke into the local FBI office and stole over 1000 classified documents. They then sent this information to mainstream media and antiwar publications, and information got out that would not have otherwise. As Chomsky noted:
“According to [the Citizens’ Commission] analysis of the documents in this FBI office, 1 percent were devoted to organized crime, mostly gambling; 30 percent were ‘manuals, routine forms, and similar procedural matter’; 40 percent were devoted to political surveillance and the like, including two cases involving right-wing groups, ten concerning immigrants, and over 200 on left or liberal groups. Another 14 percent of the documents concerned draft resistance and ‘leaving the military without government permission.’ The remainder concerned bank robberies, murder, rape, and interstate theft.” [link to Chomsky article]
While there is no record of any meetings, memos, mission statements, etc from the Citizens’ Commission, it is likely that there was some sort of planning involved in carrying out an operation like this. But there is no doubt that the operation was carried out, and the effects were far-reaching: five years later, the Church Committee of the US Congress revealed the extent of domestic spying by the FBI and CIA, and it is unlikely that we would know of the FBI’s COINTELPRO programme otherwise.
There’s nothing wrong with planning – in fact, it’s hard to get anything done otherwise. But we need to know what we are planning for, and sometimes, we just need to do things.
COINTELPRO information: http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/cointel.htm
http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/coinwcar3.htm
]]>
Blog: Making plans
We don’t need to go too far back in history to see actions that are memorable, had an impact, made a difference and changed our world, even if only in a small way. For instance, in 1971 in Media, Pennsylvania USA, a group calling itself the Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI broke into the local FBI office and stole over 1000 classified documents. They then sent this information to mainstream media and antiwar publications, and information got out that would not have otherwise. As Chomsky noted:
“According to [the Citizens’ Commission] analysis of the documents in this FBI office, 1 percent were devoted to organized crime, mostly gambling; 30 percent were ‘manuals, routine forms, and similar procedural matter’; 40 percent were devoted to political surveillance and the like, including two cases involving right-wing groups, ten concerning immigrants, and over 200 on left or liberal groups. Another 14 percent of the documents concerned draft resistance and ‘leaving the military without government permission.’ The remainder concerned bank robberies, murder, rape, and interstate theft.” [link to Chomsky article]
While there is no record of any meetings, memos, mission statements, etc from the Citizens’ Commission, it is likely that there was some sort of planning involved in carrying out an operation like this. But there is no doubt that the operation was carried out, and the effects were far-reaching: five years later, the Church Committee of the US Congress revealed the extent of domestic spying by the FBI and CIA, and it is unlikely that we would know of the FBI’s COINTELPRO programme otherwise.
There’s nothing wrong with planning – in fact, it’s hard to get anything done otherwise. But we need to know what we are planning for, and sometimes, we just need to do things.
COINTELPRO information: http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/cointel.htm
http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/coinwcar3.htm
]]>
Blog: Making plans
How come at school we are taught to think about a career, jobs, business studies - Why not, how to form your own union? - School helps the pupil to organise in order to serve business - To protect ourselves from business we need to organise - for ourselves
This group is interested in how people communities and groups organise. As our communities get more atomised we can no longer rely on the big community involvement of of yesteryear. We need to continuously find new ways of creating solidarity from wider afield and by a variety of media - Community journalism, radio, newsletters, mapping and community workshops could hold some of the answers - you may have some ideas yourself; want to help build, or support initiatives already here - learn to create your own.
A few examples of the many projects that offer participation
The January Reshuffle 2009
A collection of groups and activities for everyone; films, workshops, discussion and making things
Document7 film Festival 2009
Festival on for a week with other events going on on the periphery that you can participate in.
Sunny Govan Radio
Make your own news or talk about something you are interested in - That's what Sunny G is there for.
Electron Club
Learn some technical skills - come to a workshop - drop in and see how you can connect up with other projects and communities.
Glasgow Social Centre
GSC is a new project finding its feet and is an open house for useful ideas
The Burgh Angel
The Angel is a local newspaper that is always happy for new helpers and content.
Blog: About: How we organise
How come at school we are taught to think about a career, jobs, business studies - Why not, how to form your own union? - School helps the pupil to organise in order to serve business - To protect ourselves from business we need to organise - for ourselves
This group is interested in how people communities and groups organise. As our communities get more atomised we can no longer rely on the big community involvement of of yesteryear. We need to continuously find new ways of creating solidarity from wider afield and by a variety of media - Community journalism, radio, newsletters, mapping and community workshops could hold some of the answers - you may have some ideas yourself; want to help build, or support initiatives already here - learn to create your own.
A few examples of the many projects that offer participation
The January Reshuffle 2009
A collection of groups and activities for everyone; films, workshops, discussion and making things
Document7 film Festival 2009
Festival on for a week with other events going on on the periphery that you can participate in.
Sunny Govan Radio
Make your own news or talk about something you are interested in - That's what Sunny G is there for.
Electron Club
Learn some technical skills - come to a workshop - drop in and see how you can connect up with other projects and communities.
Glasgow Social Centre
GSC is a new project finding its feet and is an open house for useful ideas
The Burgh Angel
The Angel is a local newspaper that is always happy for new helpers and content.
Blog: About: How we organise
Here's the link (btw, I've only put up a few things, there will be many more to add):
(updated link as per note below - thanks bob!)
]]>Blog: Glasgow activism map
i'm going to take a look at your map. it would be good to get one single map going, one that people could add to. i think a lot of people would like to offer support for different campaigns, events etc, and it would be helpful for them to know how to get to them! also, it would be good for all of us to see how much is going on, and maybe see how we can link these things up as well.
talk to you later
don
]]>Here's the link (btw, I've only put up a few things, there will be many more to add):
(updated link as per note below - thanks bob!)
]]>Blog: Glasgow activism map
i'm going to take a look at your map. it would be good to get one single map going, one that people could add to. i think a lot of people would like to offer support for different campaigns, events etc, and it would be helpful for them to know how to get to them! also, it would be good for all of us to see how much is going on, and maybe see how we can link these things up as well.
talk to you later
don
]]>