Some ACTions for this week (6th Oct)
Something to Join: Live Spotlightcall : Zero Waste Parties - Turning your values into community action
"Collective action doesn't have a final destination. It's much more like a dance. We weave in and out of one another, adapting our moves based on those around us, learning as we go, feeling our way forward, and creating together. Sometimes we lead, sometimes we follow. Sometimes we're confident in our steps, sometimes we stumble. We move through these movements not once, but repeatedly, in different rhythms, with different partners, in response to various music.
That's why this work is joyful, iterative, and there's no barrier to getting started. You don't need permission, perfect knowledge, or a master plan. You just need to hear the beat and start moving." Tamasine Mc
Does it get much more joyful than at parties? Want to start moving, or maybe keep moving in this dance of collective action? Join us for an inspiring conversation with two remarkable ACTionists: Charlotte Mason-Curl and Isabel Mack who turned their frustrations into thriving movements - No Crap Parties and Party Kit Network
The call is also Gav's birthday, so bring cake.
We'll explore:
- Their "aha moments" that sparked action
- What it's really like to be "that person" who does things differently - and why it matters
- How one person's brave choice creates permission for others to follow
- Practical steps to start anything you're passionate about that brings people together
- How to sustain energy and stay anchored when others question what you're doing
- The surprising allies that emerge when you act on your values
- What they've gained beyond the environmental impact - the deeper rewards of building community
Something to Read: One Step Leads to Another: The ACTionism Dance of Party Kit Network & No Crap Parties
In this article, Tamasine applied Gav's "movements of collective action" to see how No Crap Parties and Party Kit Network - have been dancing through them. And more importantly, how you might join the dance.
This is a work of exploration, so feedback is greatly appreciated. Have we forgotten anything? Is Collective ACTion a linear journey, or a messy one?
Something to Join: How to save democracy
Three incredible citizens having a conversation about democracy, what's not to love?!
Jon Alexander will be hosting Caroline Lucas and Ellie Meredith, as they face up to the reality of the climate emergency, and together ask some big questions:
> How can and should democracies respond to the climate emergency?
> Where (if anywhere) is doing it well, in the face of the rise of the Far Right?
> How should we understand the relationship between the failure to address the climate emergency meaningfully and the crisis of democracy?
This is live at the Conduit in London, as well as online.
Sign up here.
Something to attend: A space for "OUR' community
The next, ACTionism Connection Call is on the 9th October 12.00: no formal agenda - just good conversation, mutual support, and the chance to hear what's capturing everyone's attention.
This friendly online meet-up is perfect for anyone who wants to:
- Catch up with familiar faces and meet new members of the ACTionism community
- Share interesting initiatives, projects, or campaigns you've discovered recently
- Enjoy informal conversation with like-minded people passionate about collective action
- Get a boost from sharing a co-working company and fresh perspectives
ACTionism
Something to ponder: Letters to the Earth
Gav: At Earthed, Kay Michael, CEO & Creative Director at Letters to the Earth led a beautiful workshop, inviting us to write from the perspective of another being, to step outside ourselves and speak on behalf of something wild, and alive.
I found myself writing instantly… as a wolf.
This was an interesting experience, one that maybe more of us could do?
For me, speaking as a wolf was instinctive, maybe even inevitable. Wolves live on the land around our home. We catch glimpses of them in the shadows at night. Their presence fascinates me. As a keystone species, they hold the balance in our local ecosystem, and they stir something ancient in us.
Writing from their voice was more than just creative. It was grounding. It makes me wonder: What would shift if more of us tried this? What might the world look like if we gave space to the voices we’ve forgotten how to hear?
Gavin Fernie-Jones
Something to Feedback on: The Dance of Collective Action - From Passive Consumers to Active Citizens
ACTionism feels very alive right now. Especially after the recent Weekender and the deep, honest connections that have been forming between us.
In this piece, Gav has started to explore why that might be.
What is it we’re actually doing, consciously or not, that helps build collective action?
Can we tell your story of collective action?
We've been talking a lot about the importance of weaving our stories together, so if you want your story of collective action to inspire others, do get in touch - we're happy to 'collaborate' with you on Instagram, cheerlead for you on LinkedIn, or maybe you'd like to write something for our positive story hub?
