Events
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North Kelvin meadow Big Lunch
North Kelvin Meadow on the Big Society (Newsdrive BBC)
The Missing Millions
“Enthusiasm and interest, devotion and pride – these are the characteristics of Glasgow citizenship. I have talked with the heads of the city departments, with a score of town councillors, with p
olice officers and fire officials, with clerks, bathhouse custodians, and conductors on the tram-cars – with all sorts of men, Tories and Liberals, Radicals and Socialists, from the Lord Provost down to the cab-driver. And this is the only citizenship I have been able to find." Frederic Cle.mson Howe
Article: David Harvie Scottish Review
Common Good Watch Common Good news
Reshuffle Pearce Institute Govan We don't take money off you to enjoy yourself and we don't feed your kids with expensive burgers - just some fun, a chance to talk, try some stuff and see some films
Dave Douglass read from his new book Ghost Dancers.
The title of this work, Ghost Dancers, is inspired by the last stand of the Native American Indians in their efforts to retain their culture and dignity, and by the Durham Miners’ Gala as a mining equivalent of that same endeavour.
Radical Independent Bookfair: www.ribproject.org
Common Good Awareness Project
Common Good Watch
Scottish Commons
SOOT (Our friends from the East)
Alberto Durango Speaking in Glasgow, about the Latin American workers association and the London Cleaners campaign, its successes and the importance of solidarity
As part of Radius, a programme of art events on the fringe of Glasgow International, a look at some of the radical aspects of Glasgow along the banks of it's main river, the Clyde, from Chartism through Abolitionism to the Spanish Civil War, with a few songs thrown in at the end including a swing version of 'We Don't Need This Fascist Thang'.
From Common Good Campaigns and Law. Take it back.
Events across May: Details
Common Good Awareness Website coming soon.
Upcoming events:
Science Ecology and the Common Good 29 May 2010
Pearce Institute Govan.
"I think studying science is a good way to get into fields like history. The reason is, you learn what an argument means, you learn what evidence is, you learn what makes sense to postulate and when, what's going to be convincing. You internalize the modes of rational inquiry, which happen to be much more advanced in the sciences than anywhere else. On the other hand, applying relativity theory to history isn't going to get you anywhere. So it's a mode of thinking." Noam Chomsky
We will not be applying relativity theory to history at the Reshuffle - But we will be studying modes of thinking. Science Ecology and the Common Good - Workshops, speakers on science, climate change, community organising and the Common Good. Yes of course there will be tons of stuff for the kids - Glasgow Science Fair will be in full tilt as well as local groups.
Ideas, suggestions for speakers, workshops welcome. Remember:
"
You cant stand still on a moving train" Howard Zinn 1922-2010
Chomsky and Andrew Marr of the BBC
In which Chomsky explains to the
disbelieving journalist how the media serve power interests.
Considering propaganda, now called "public relations" all consumes our daily
lives - in comparison there is very little discussed or written about it.
After film chat - Are you free from propaganda?
"It is arguable that the success of business propaganda in persuading
us, for so long that we are free from propaganda is one of the most
significant propaganda achievements of the twentieth century". John Carey
(Taking the Risk out of Democracy)
Electron Cinema Fri 18th Dec. 7:00
February 6th. 8 weeks to RESHUFFLE time, lets make 2010 a bumper year and a year of ORGANISATION - COMMON to all and for the GOOD of all. We have had some exciting community VICTORIES happen this year and some invigorating community ACTIVITIES on-going. We shall Celebrate these achievements at 2010 Reshuffle as well as looking at peoples plans for next year. Remember it takes months to organise the Reshuffle - there's no 
funding it's all good will. Please help by responding SAP if you want to put on an event, stall, happening, or help out. Click wee image to remind yourself. B.
This Week Film: "The Frustration Game" & "About the common good" Double-bill Fri. 4th Nov.
Please Forward and download pdf print and hang in a prominent place
Common Good Grant application
Below is a link to a grant form issued by a citizen of this city. On it is a brief description of the "Common Good" and an application form to apply for a common good grant. Remember the council only use the Common Good fund of Glasgow to fund junkets, mobile phone bills and fancy receptions - and who knows what else. Why cant it be used to fund a street party or celebration in your area?
Application form - or design your own for your town or village.
Information-read-first.pdf
Go on try it.
How We Organise event: Where we go from here
Conclusions: How We Organise - There is not enough being done to break down the barriers that stop people participating. While the "activist" is to busy and has no time for whatever reasons - there is a whole community out
there looking in. What they are looking at (generally) is something they do
not feel part of - something out-with their experience - or more troubles
to add to the ones they already have. If we are to get more people involved
(an imperative if we want things to change) we need to start using our
imagination and the type of tools that do not create more alienation - but
power and understanding for those who need it most.
The event attracted some new people interested in what is going on around them. The Common Good day event, also set out some of the benefits we could gain by more communication through our various groups and activities. A few highlights of the events and updates, follows.
Shopping ( 
Media day)
I worked with young folk during the week with the theme of shopping. We went for walks around town and the shops, took some pictures, wrote some essays and graphics on shopping and had discussions a the Electron talking about different aspects such as Needs, wants, branding, values, symbols, choice, propaganda (advertising) and the credit crunch
Walking
City Strolling was keeping everybody fit (Group from Adelphi centre) as we walked to Richmond Park under the guidance of someone who once lived near there. Noticing a big part of the park has been given over to a private housing development. Unbelievable that our young folk need to rely on a memory from someone for such vast areas of our city. Here any historical reference, and public institutions, has been obliterated - Our young folk are losing fast something they do not even know that they own as the common good fast becomes just another memory.
Common good day
CG day attracted a good diverse bunch of folk involved in various community projects and issues. We had Wyndford parents + wean, a group of artists doing a project in the Wyndford, (Gorge) Save Pollok Park, North Kelvin Meadow, New Social Art School, ASAP Scotland*, Burgh Angel news and others. Very interesting day. We agreed to do more
ASAP*
I came across Stephen Koepplinger (After School Activities Scotland) in the Wyndford estate as he led a team in stripping of the overgrown top-soil from a red blaze pitch behind the schools that were closed down and are now being demolished. Steve is working with folk from the Wyndford who are creating their own regeneration.
If you want to help at the pitch. Every Saturday from 10 at the Wyndford pitch. Bring a ball a few of your friends and a few snacks. Video -- Website
Reshuffle
Starting to organise for the January February Reshuffle.(Later this year due to other bookings) If your group, yourself or anyone you may feel would be interested please let me know. Organising the Reshuffle is a lot of work mostly done by myself - so any kind of help is welcome. See here for last years program
Date for this years event will be 6 February - plenty time for people to organise, events stalls, discussions. 09 video
Common Good News
Hoping to start to put together at the beginning of the year a Common Good newspaper, for distribution nationwide - A kind of common Good awareness publication - setting out historical details of the CG, details of recent events, victories, and the CG as a tool for organising and enlivening our communities. This publication could also act as a precursor to a national Common Good Day, somewhere, sometime in 2010. (Reshuffle discussion?) Common Good for beginners
The Bridge
The Bridge network will endeavour to organise the connecting up of groups and folk connected with community organising everywhere. Feel free to join - create groups and tell us your news, views and events
Connecting communities everywhere
How We Organise was held at the Electron Club at CCA during Document7 Human Rights Film Festival
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