Connie

1
Connies Small Group

• We used to meet in the basement of the local
  library, about twelve of us, each week, explains
  Connie. The librarian was always asking us what
  we were laughing at. Somehow we just always had a
  lot of fun when we met. And we helped each other
  in all kinds of ways.

2
Isolation An American Epidemic

• When Lisa Cooks cat had to be put to sleep, she
  went to the vet

alone. I couldnt think of a single person to
ask to go with me, she remembers. It was
devastating.
3
Isolation An American Epidemic

• Instead of relying on each other, we rely on
  money, corporations, and screen time to fill our
  needs
• We depend on distant, complex systems to fill our
  supermarkets and our gas stations
• Disruptions to these systems can be catastrophic
  to communities

4
Community is Woven from Gifts

• Participatory and de-centralized groups
• Sustains relationships
• Supports alternative economies to meet needs
• Frees us from isolation empowers us to act

5
Small Group Approaches

• Resilience Circles
• http//localcircles.org
• Affinity Groups
• http//localcircles.org/affinitygroups
• Emergency Preparedness Pie Parties
  http//jptransition.org/about/emergency-preparedne
  ss/

6
Resilience CirclesSmall Groups of 8 20 People

• Purposes
• Learning Change the Story
• Mutual Aid Create Community
• Social Action Change the Rules
• FREE, Open-Source, Seven Session Curriculum
  available at info_at_localcircles.org

7
Learn Together
Learning about the economy or the environment
alone is hazardous to your mental health.
Dont learn alone. Find your small group.
8
Mutual Aid
Stretch your mutual aid muscles slowly!
9
Sarah Byrnes Institute for Policy Studies, New
England Office sarah_at_localcircles.org
Resilience Circles localcircles.org Jamaica
Plain New Economy Transition JPTransition.org New
England New Economy Transition NETransition.org