Starting a Branch

Ideally, this will include some people you’ve known for a long time, trust and get along with - but no worries if you need to make new friends!  You can also set up a table somewhere in town to give away zines, posters, and stickers, and get interested people to add their contact information to a sign up sheet.  By the way, trust your gut if you don't feel comfortable with someone.   The most effective group will be people who get along and anyone can always start their own branch if they want.

Pick a public place (like a cafe, library, or park) and choose a time that most of your interested contacts can make it.  As soon as possible, plan to make your meetings weekly or bi-weekly.  Having regular, well-run meetings is critical to effective organizing.

For your first meeting, start by outlining the agenda and asking for any additional suggestions.  For your first agenda we recommend: 1. introductions (with a statement of skills each person has or is interested in growing, and a time-check to see when people will need to leave), 2. Picking a decision-making process (including time-keeper and temporary meeting coordinator), 3. Brainstorming about the possibilities for advancing equality and democracy in your local community (no need for final decisions yet), 4. Confirming a weekly or bi-weekly meeting schedule, and 5. Closing with a rousing congratulations on kicking off a new group in the fight for democracy, equality, and ecology!

When your group first starts, pick easy activities like tabling with free revolutionary art and literature or a community movie night.  More starter activities can be found here.  Once you have some momentum, consider planning a campaign.  A guide to organizing campaigns can be found here.

At some point, your local branch will need a unique name.  We highly recommend naming yourselves after a local native plant (here's a guide by country | here's a guide by US zip code), and making that plant part of all your art and activities.  Once you’ve picked a name, write to us at goodneigbhorsdm@proton.me to get added to the directory so others can find you (if you want to be found!).