Grouping together

[Skean Dhude]

Paul,

Each to their own. There is a need for all types. Those that want to do it alone and those that don't.

[BeardyMan]

(8 October 2012, 16:44)Weyoun Wrote: Ideas ?

Www://match.com?

[Lightspeed]

I do however agree with mutual support agreements and volunarily coming together with neighbouring preppers to do a project, but as soon as you get groups, you get elitist cliques, inner and outer circles and other total bullshit like insisting on people MUST contribute every
week for the collective or you will be kicked out.

NR, when I stared getting seriously into prepping I tought completely going it alone was the best solution.

The more I thought things through the more I realised that I couldn't make it alone, and I started to move towards the community approack.

Maybe this is a thought maturity process, but now i'm with you in the idea on mutual interdependence. I don't want to be ruled by anyone, but from time to time, I may need the support of people I trust outside of my fanily unit. And in return, they may need my support. The idea of mutual support agreements meets this requirement very well.

What is the format ofthe agreements you have in place NR? I'm very interested in this?

[NorthernRaider]

LS I look at OUR needs in a similar light to the way the Amish help each other out when neccecssary and mutually beneficial, IE Raising new barns and getting the crops in is labour intensive so then all the local Amish come together to help each other, but apart from that they get on with theirown private lives. Obligatory groups with rules, leaders, pecking order, fees, requirements are a sure fire route to failure.

Mutual support given willingly when needed is just common sense, Its basically local survivalists in any area get to know each other better, if they get on all right and share common values then they can offer each other a promise of mutual support if there is a crisis.
If could be something as simple as if your colleague is passing through your area or bugging out through your area, or stopping overnight in your area he can call on you for say

A local sit rep report
A local intel report
A Fresh map
A place to park up overnight in relative safety
A place to refill his water tanks
A place they can wash and clean up before moving on
A place they know they can access first aid and a hot meal
Perhaps they can find a friendly local prepper to help guide them through the area
A chance to access the hosts longer range radio equipment.

In Time they may build up enough trust etc to cross train together but without obligation
They may end up sharing bulk purchases
They may become friends ??
They MAY agree that each members home / BOL will be willing to allow the other family to stop for a couple of nights in a disaster.

But ALL agreement are mutual and given freely and are not membership requirements.





This is what I wrote some years ago, but I think is still valid

SURVIVALISM IN THE U.K & ACROSS THE WORLD

In all the four corners of the world you will find survivalism and preparedness flourishing, more people than ever before are trying to retake control over their own destinies and lifestyles. The United Kingdom is no different in that respect but it does have its own set of unusual circumstances for the modern survivalist to overcome.

Apart from the very obvious problems of the right to own firearms and the right to protect yourselves from criminals there is a strong public objection to people who are not mainstream in their lifestyle choices, If you don't socialise in the accepted manner like enjoying soccer, going to the pub etc you are seen as an oddball. You compound this with the British survivalist’s natural conservatism and an inbred fear of others with whom they are not familiar you end up with a difficult environment in which to develop your skills and plans without being ridiculed by your neighbours or workmates.

Survivalism is a serious undertaking that is usually a very private matter for you and your family and not one you would choose to broadcast in any way, this in itself causes problems to overcome.

How do you gain the expertise you need in so many subjects without contacting others, how do you source the logistics and kit you require in the larger than normal quantities than Joe Public would buy, how do you gather the intelligence about current affairs, possible hazards, retreat locations etc without giving away your reasons, how do you overcome your natural curiosity as to what other survivalists are up to and are they doing something better than you are?

Some survivalists form "GROUPS" sharing costs, bulk buying, developing a communal retreat, having group "STANDARDS", setting criteria for "MEMBERSHIP" etc these "GROUPS" tend to have a very strong willed "LEADER" controlling things and persuading the others to follow his way of doing things. Sometimes this becomes elitist and at other times it becomes a "CULT" with the ruling elite controlling the ordinary members by intimidation, fear etc this is not a path that I would advocate that anyone follows for good reason.

The only things that survivalists should have to standardise upon are a set of communication frequencies and protocols for getting in touch with each other as and when THEY CHOOSE. Survivalists by their very natures are very intelligent, free thinking, broadminded individuals each with their own agendas to follow. This is why they became survivalists in the first place, because the wish to be in control over their own lives and destinies without external forces controlling their freedom of personal choice.

Yes it would be nice and easy if we all had the same equipment fuel and ammunition calibres, but for the reasons shown above individuals have their own preferences and reasons for choosing their own kit.
Insisting that everyone uses petrol power cookers or generators or vehicles as part of being a "MEMBER" of the group is stupid if one of the group lives on a farm that is totally diesel powered and has 10,000 gallons of the stuff stored on site. It’s the same principle if everyone has to have weapons available only in 7.62 rimless NATO calibre and one of the guys lives in a very heavily forested area that would be better served by a 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Individuality must be encouraged not stifled by diktat from government or the leaders of your local group. Communism and a single plan of development has been proven not to work where as freedom of choice and flexibility has been shown to flourish, this is especially true for survivalists.

It has been said "No man is an Island" this also holds true for survivalists. A way to share our skills and knowledge and to find others of a similar outlook to ourselves is part of human nature, we must balance the survivalists need for privacy and security against the need to gather information and develop contacts with others like ourselves.

The way ahead for us I feel is something I saw when in America a few years ago where like minded people came together twice a year for what they called a RENDEZVOUS, At these events people got to meet each other on neutral ground to socialise, barter, get the latest gossip, share ideas, find out what's new etc. These events have been very successful at bridging the gap amongst people of similar beliefs without putting any restrictions upon them. What was not acceptable there was anyone trying to force upon the others their ideals and beliefs.

[Lightspeed]

Hi NR thanks for this:

Its a lot to take in and I'm on a tight time schedule today, so will review over the next day or so.

Thanks for such a comprehensive response.

I appreciate this.

Later

LS

[IB1]

The way NR describes his idea of a mutual support type of group works better for me than a more rigid and permanent group structure. Coming together or just simply helping out when needed rather than some form of communal living or working thing is much more my cup of tea.

Like he said, it could also be useful to have people from outside your local area in the wider group as well, not to give you a hand with the crops or whatever as the distances wouldnt be practical, but if you need to travel or are caught out miles from home then knowing there is someplace relatively safe on route to where you need to go and where you might be able to top up your water etc would be very useful

[bigpaul]

I realised a long time ago that i really dont like people (as in the general public/sheeple), i've always been a bit of a loner and prefer to be on my own, even working i have been much better on my own than part of some "jolly little team", i think post SHTF i will either succeed or fail but i'll do it on my own terms, i dont mind coming together with people at an RV or harvesting, barn building like the Amish do, but then go off on my own after the task is completed. i therefore favour the "lone wolf" approach rather than some group thing, i dont like being ordered about by someone who thinks they have a "god given" right to be leader, that route leads to arguements, fights and general unpleasantness and is not my "cup of tea"!

[Tigs]

bp its not really the lone wolf is it not if you are willing to help out harvesting, barn building or at rv's

its more like the mountain man approach do your own thing but still can head back to town or a friendly homestead when you need human contact or to trade

[NorthernRaider]

Well you nearly all have seen first hand how SOME forums have evolved from open friendly gathering places for all preppers to share info into elitist cliques with inner circles of ruling elites and rule that cast out prolls who dont toe the party line or Shock Horror disagree with the mods and dare post articles that challenge the system.

Can you imagine how that would translate into organised groups of survivalists trying to operate under one banner with a "" Management team" or even worse " A Committee of cycophants, control freaks, little hitlers and bullies???.

Knowing your neighbours and being able to help or support each other if needed without obligation is a far more effective system of developing and improving local preppers into something useful.

[bigpaul]

(10 October 2012, 12:26)Tigs Wrote: bp its not really the lone wolf is it not if you are willing to help out harvesting, barn building or at rv's

its more like the mountain man approach do your own thing but still can head back to town or a friendly homestead when you need human contact or to trade

yes you've got it Tigs!! that is EXACTLY what i meant!!