Forum Post: The Buddy System Can Save Our Movement and Our Lives PLEASE READ

The Buddy Group System

We need to become our own leaders. Working in large groups with people we have only just begun to understand and appreciate can be challenging. The independent bureaucracies created by large working groups will slow down the road to consensus building as your number increase. Even defining terms can be challenging with people from different educational backgrounds. Of these facts I think we can all agree. I suggest a simple solution to this problem that could be implemented nationwide in a matter of hours. Please Disagree, Comment, This subject is of vital importance to the success of the movement.

1. Everyone individually establish your own group; totaling 3 occupiers.
2. Decide on goals and roles for two members outside of GA based on what the three of you want to do. Think about how the three you feel about the movement, what are its demands for you? What are the small things you can do right now to help?
3. Have each small Group of three elect one to attend GA's and working groups and act as (representative / liaison) Between the GA and the other 2 members. This position would be by no means permanent and each small group should think carefully each day whose skills can be spared to discuss while the others Act. Two Key Advantages Advantages
4. In the event of Surprise Police Raid, Extreme Weather, or other unforeseeable emergencies there will be a structure in place to quickly do small head counts( its easy to count to 3 and People should report to their group when they are leaving the encampment.)
5. Also In the Event of Emergency Reps from the GA could call for everyone to “Buddy GROUP!”
   a. People are more resolved when they are standing shoulder to shoulder with someone they are close to. b. If people are injured there will be dedicated individuals nearby to help them so we can avoid clustering up too much around the wounded which has incited police flash bangs with near deadly results. Obviously medics would be an exception to this cluster avoidance c. When on the move it can be difficult for the GA to issue suggested action; this structure could allow for a small list of people’s phone #s (1 per group with cell phone)to be used for a mass text in the event of emergency when GA cannot be assembled. The protest is separated by police or other confusion. I think the violence in Oakland could have been largely avoided if this kind of organization was in place.
6. Time; we all need more time, We can’t be at GA every day but we need to know happens there. At home we have children to take care of, Jobs to work, School to pass and our own sanity to maintain. The greatest advantage of this system is that when times are rough, we can maintain in shifts and still be informed.