building a new Portland in the midst of "crisis" (NOTE: not at St. Francis)

NOTE: this is at People's Coop (3029 SE 21st Ave) and space could be limited.    This also means there will be no meeting at St. Francis on the 29th.

A number of local groups have heard from dozens of folks from all walks of life about your emotional responses to the economic "crisis", and what you are doing or would like to be doing about it.  there's a great range of experiences; yet, as you can see from the representative sampling below, there are themes.

There's a sense of disconnection, on the one hand, from the realm of finance and the direction of the economy.  this is linked to confusion,  anxiety, and fear that people won't have basic needs met.  and there's a strong desire, excitement, for there to be major changes in which we all have a role in supporting each other to meet collective goals.

but how?  some folk are involved in specific projects focused on basic needs; others feel at a loss, unsure of what to do.  everyone senses this could be a breakout moment.

a number of organizers and activists, getting feedback like this, are calling for a gathering next week to help share tools and experiences in connecting communities with each other and building capacity to meet basic needs as locally as possible.  let's organize!

Let's prepare for the hard times that may be just around the corner by:

• Getting to know each other and building trust
• Making plans for sharing food, housing, transportation, and jobs
• Reaching out to those who need help
• Building alternative local economic practices

What we're going to do:

• Brainstorm ideas for responding locally to the global economic crisis
• Equip community organizers with tools for fostering cooperation
• Propose infrastructure for linking diverse activities and needs

Who is invited?  Anyone who wants to help out by connecting with others.

Come and help create the other world that is more possible and necessary than ever!

For more information, write theodor.arnason@gmail.com