Talkers & Doers - are you socially, politically active?

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 872

This is related to the talkers and doers threat, but maybe in another sense. I would like to know how many of you is active in the community and/ or political live?
For example: environmental groups, relocalization, community gardening, aid for disabled or other social work (not professionally) - all sorts voluntary stuff.

EnergyUnlimited · Fusion Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 3299

So here you are.
I am a talker.
That is not to say that I don't carry on any preparations - I do, but only on private level.
Sometimes I will try to advise someone (neighbor, fiend) but only in casual, private way.

When I talked to our local authorities on two or three occasions, I met only hostile response.

Quite funnily our local chancellor in private had a lengthy discussion with me about the subject and admitted that I am right and our life style or may be even civilization is bound to go within several years or within a decade at most.
Let them [cornucopians] have it as nothing meaningful can be done to avert disaster and protect your family and wealth meantime was our overall conclusion.
No one can stop a wind.

So I gave up.
There is no prospect of success to do anything useful, so it is pointless to try.

Ludi

No, I'm not socially and politically active in my community.

Reason - social anxiety
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CarlosFerreira

Yes, I am. Not on Peak Oil or Environment, as I should, but I belong to a group that denounces illegal working conditions (no contracts for workers, for example; happens a lot in here), and I belong to a think-tank against the future building of a High Speed Train network in Portugal. You could argue that the latter has, in some way, a connection to my PO positions.
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dinopello

Very active, although I know people who are much more active. Mostly at the local level, somewhat at state and I just started my first federal level committee participation (related to transportation). It takes up a lot of time but it also is a chance to meet people socially which is important to me.

While they can be frustrating, community meetings and consensus-based decision making has helped me to improve myself as well as my community. I used to get so angry when stupid people didn't agree with my point of view, but now I have much more patience with the stupid ones. Cool

Seriously, there are a lot of smart people around here with lots of points of view.

PonyBoy78

Not active. No time. Lately, I've been working on average 60-70 hours per week. Gotta finance my preparations while I can.

Arsenal

Mostly active. Volunteer firefighter and I help with the Emergency Operations Center in planing and logistics. Fun stuff. Not really related to Peak Oil but interesting to see what plans they have for a Mass Causality Incident.

As far as Peak Oil. Nothing external. All my preps are done within my family at the moment. The neighbors don't really want to hear about it. All they say is DRILL DRILL DRILL.

Arsenal

Devin · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 07, 2008 Posts: 202

I answered that I am not interested in such things.

I've had my fill of liberal guilt and attempts to redeem my 'original sin' with good works. I am pleased to announce that I don't care anymore and that political and social activism is something I don't even think about. Smile

dinopello

I doubt anyone will do this, but if you are interested, check the public hearings that occur in my town

Link

Go to July 19 video and watch item 47.

It's an 8 hour hearing on whether we should allow accessory dwellings in single family homes. The best part is the speakers. 60 speakers on both sides. And, this is just the final board meeting, before this there were a hundred (yes, literally a hundred) of meetings with civic associations, and other groups to craft the policy (that was modified to try to address various concerns) that was eventually presented to the elected leaders for their consideration. I personally didn't participate in this one so much because I didn't really think it was all that big a deal either way and I had other issues I was working.

Here's an article on the outcome

It passes

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 872

The responses, so far are a bit sad. I hoped that reasonable do take responsability for their community. At least some are active and I think, it does really not matter if someone does social work, environmental stuff, firefighter or the kids sports, I it's about being involved.
That's what I like here in Australia. I can name so many people who do something, selling second hand clothes for Africa, helping disabled etc.
In past PO times we need much more community and responsability for the community. PO is now we should begin now.

Arsenal

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1420

Arsenal,
I think you mis-read alokin's statement. He was saying that it really doesn't matter what the cause is that you're involved in - all are important contributions to local communities.

I was, for a time, on the board of our local volunteer fire department. Not currently, though. Currently, I am a co-leader for our kids' local 4-H group. We meet monthly, and have other occasional activities for the kids. The next month or so will be pretty busy for our group. We just had a cookout and meeting last Tuesday. On the 7th, we're doing a "Field Farm Fun Day" and touring two small local dairies to see their milking operations and how they make cheese. On the 8th, we'll be participating in a parade in town that co-incides with a local festival. The kids will be selling poppies to raise money for the American Legion's Auxilliary and their kids' programs, and handing out candy and cards on flag etiquette. On the 21st, we're participating in the Fairgrounds Cleanup, to get ready for the county fair. And then, of course, is the fair itself starting the Tuesday after Labor Day. My eldest son will be showing his Rhode Island Red chickens that he's raised from day-old chicks.

It's fun seeing some of these kids go from knowing nothing about civic responsibility, to understanding the importance of volunteerism in their community; watching them grow from knowing nothing about animal husbandry, to watching them become mini-experts in raising and showing their animal of choice. And, in doing so, learning more about where their food comes from. 4-H is a great program for kids, IMO.

I worked for a time with our state's office of volunteerism and traveled the state in support of volunteer programs across the state. Arkansas is well-known for the volunteer efforts of its residents. I applaud all of you who volunteer your time to make your home a better place to live.
Kathy

Arsenal

My bad then. Sorry for the mistake.

Arsenal.

duke

APATHY DYSFUNCTION DISORDER; means.

I now suffer from not caring very much anymore, if at all, as caused by the direct result of hearing/listening to all the people talking about themselves, their un-achieved plans or others and or complaining about how unfair this world and society is/has been to them.....

We don't trust politics/authority or unprepared people. We avoid public contact and wash our hands twice after returning from town..... also love to wear our..."life is good" shirts.

mystiek

Our church is very community oriented so we are involved with community activies involving the church. I loved 4-H growing up-its a great program. Our kids stay pretty busy with their activities plus being a physician in a rural area keeps me busy too. Its a balancing act between volunteer activities with the church, family, PO preparations, my practice and the hospital.
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