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a question on organizing strategy and mutual aid (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've noticed that mutual aid efforts in an org often focus on directing aid outside the organization, essentially operating as a charity. Additionally, many leftist orgs are quite small and could benefit from additional membership.

I'm wondering if it might be better for a mutual aid org to focus its aid efforts internally? It is mutual aid after all. Please understand, I recognize that helping one's community is worthwhile, but an org focusing aid internally materially benefits the self-interest of its members. If one sees material benefit to joining a group surely they're more likely to join?

Am I off base here? Seems like an idea worth developing.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

I wouldn't think you're wrong about the "charity" aspect of things.

"Better"? No.

I'd guess the expectation is that a person inside the org might already have a pathway to mutual aid by just being able to ask the members of the org, "Hey everybody, my car broke down. Could anybody help by... (carpooling, cash to help pay for repairs, cash for a cheap replacement car, any ideas on who to talk to as a reliable mechanic, etc.etc.)".

But it could also be true that many of the members might feel some shame and hesitation about making any asks of the org when they need help. So, it would be something to set up ahead of time for a member in need to know which member is trusted/assigned to mediate requests for aid within the group.