Radical Citizens Network Idea Outline 1.o

We form this network of voluntarily interrelated people and organizations to radically transform this crazy world. What do we mean by “radical”? Part of being radical is not requiring the reduction of all interests to a single unity. Instead it is a commitment to making fruitful our differences as we struggle for deep seated, egalitarian, and people-centered change, fighting to replace helplessness and coping with freedom and its enacted dreams, strengthened by our knowledge of the interconnectedness of all struggles and the determination to support all those who struggle against injustice by means of freedom.

(So, ps, this has a little excessive detail but you need not accept everything, it just made it more interesting for yours truly! db)

How can I join the network?

Prospective members to the network must be invited (and vouched for) by two current network members. Once invited, you are asked to choose a delegate and network buddy and can choose to join the network, either as a radical resource or as a network member.

Radical resources do not pay dues and as such are welcome to participate in all network events, programming, and resources, but do not have access to other member’s contact information or decision-making rights regarding network planning and resource allocation.

Network members have access to the various databases, decision making rights regarding network planning and resource allocation, receive a free network discount card, and must pay monthly dues equal or greater to .5% of their monthly income (so if you make $1000/month you would pay $5/month, with a minimum dues of $3/month for those who have no income). Those who pay dues for certified network organizations may deduct the cost of such dues from their monthly network dues.  

What can I do?

You can…

n         Help grow the network or create a sub-network of radicals by contacting folks who share with you a profession, passion, or location (lawyers, or immigrant lawyers, or immigrant lawyers in MN for instance) within which you can

• Take leadership! Become a volunteer organizer for the network or sub-network
• Mentor a student or someone in your own sub-network (or just be a mentor)
• Be a network contact for your profession, serving as an official contact for those in need of advice, work, or action by those in your field of expertise
• Be a network moderator for your profession, moderating your professional network’s email-list 
• Host events in your neighborhood, home, or workplace for radical community members in your subgroup, or for the community as a whole
• Help people get jobs or internships in your sub-network, particularly to help organizing via the radical-network job hookup
• Grow the network or sub-network(s) to other Cities through your contacts

n Create spaces to build the radical community by creating or participating in…

• An EXCO class, learn more about EXCO at www.EXCOtc.org
• A caucus for a group with which you identify (by race, gender, sexuality, class, nationality, etc)
• A stress at work discussion circle to radicalize others
• A Shift circle for those transitioning between jobs or life-phases
• A story circle to grow memory within the radical community

n        Help create a culture of solidarity…

• Pay your dues and participate in deciding how they are spent   
• Organize your workplace
• Commit to donate or donate property to the Radical Land Trust (or Cooperative Housing/Property Association)
• Sponsor events and discussions
• Fly the flag of solidarity, committing to supporting those in need, or wear a solidarity bracelet to indicate that you are willing to talk with others members
• Take part in the Radical Time Bank
• Join the skillshare and self-education database to offer up your skills and to find others interested in learning together!
• Participate in the variety of other events, programming, etc, being offered through the network!
• List jobs in your workplace, particularly to help organizing via the radical-network job hookup
• Homestay a young activist, so that they can spend their time building the network of radical projects in your local area and benefit from your experience and keep you informed on recent goings on 
• Use Indymedia to post your announcements, issues, and stories, and put your upcoming events on their calendar

Related Institutions Needing to Be Created:

n         Radical Citizen’s Network Foundations 

n        Radical Land Trust(s) or Cooperative Housing Association or Network

n  Self-Education Network/Skillshare Database perhaps through…

n  Free Education Networks: EXCO, IWW Work Peoples’ College, etc (existing)

n        Sub-networks/sub-network organizers by profession, passion, and location

n         Stress at work circles to radicalize fellow workers

n         Groups by Identity (some such groups currently being formed)

n         Radical Homestay Network

n         Radical Job Hook-Up

n         Radical Time Bank

n         IndyMedia (existing)

n         Flag/Bracelet of Solidarity

n         Shift Circles for those going through life-phase transitions (a local model exists: SHIFT, primarily targeting professionals, run by U of M prof Jan Hivley)

n        Radical Church? (weekly, family friendly events at the same time/place each week…Sundays at the Bedlam! etc)