jenny's journey... tales of a traveling organizer: [JourneydeJenny email 11/05/07] "Movement of Movements Book Group"

January 22, 1978

[JourneydeJenny email 11/05/07] "Movement of Movements Book Group"

*!* If you want to be on "Movement of Movements Book Group" email list, tell
me NOW! I won't email the "journey de jenny" list with announcements
anymore. *!*

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Movement of Movements Book Group

Like to cogitate about "activism today"? Want to catch up on some social
movement reading? Let's have tea and chat!

Thursday, November 8th, 7-9pm
in the Tea Whale
at TLC Farm
**we will have hot tea, but dress warmly**

Please bring any books, articles or ideas that you think we should check
out.... some books on my mind are: _Blessed Unrest_ (Paul Hawken), _We Are
Everywhere_, and _The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit
Industrial Complex_. I also want to explore ideas like these:
http://www.weareeverywhere.org/
http://www.narconews.com/Issue47/article2859.html
http://berkana.org/berkana/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectio
nid=6&id=168&Itemid=219
http://www.indymedia.org
http://www.nlg.org/TUPOCC/crittheorypractice.html
http://ccs.ukzn.ac.za/

Directions to TLC Farm: www.tryonfarm.org
Questions/suggestions: 503-548-8459 (my cell) or jenny@cityrepair.org

Feel free to forward this email...

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Contribute to the journey!

Read more! Thank you for considering a contribution towards creative, locally-powered grassroots organizing!

SLIDESHOWS ...because everyone loves a good story!

Every show is unique! Check out the shows I've shared. If you have attended a show, please share your feedback on my slideshow reflections page.

I am happy to make a custom show for almost any group or location -- please contact me at jennyleis@riseup.net to make a request. Check out my overview of subject areas, and pick and choose stories!

I'm currently booking a summer series of shows in cafes, houseparties and organizations around town. Do you have ten friends who might want to enjoy these discussions in your living room? Know of a cafe with a great spot for gatherings? Want to invite me to your organization? Email me!

JourneydeJenny email archive

If you want to join my monthly-ish email update list, email jennyleis@riseup.net .

12/11/06: Announcements ~ Jenny’s Journey
1/09/07: I’m going to Nairobi next week!
1/22/07: Today at the World Social Forum
1/30/07: From the World Social Forum to the World
3/1/07: Journeying in South Africa
4/15/07: ZIMZAMZIM! Adventures in Zimbabwe and Zambia!
5/16/07: Blessings on flow
6/28/07: Full Circle on my Journey
7/10/07: Leaving Africa (for now...)
9/6/07: circles and cycles: back to Portland
10/24/07: Sparks in Portland
11/05/07: Movement of Movements Book Group
11/06/07: a correction... and asking for contributions for a collective letter of support
1/22/08: The journey continues...
2/25/08: Six Slideshows in March
3/12/08: Announcing: Community Supported Activism
04/23/08: reflections on challenges
05/12/08: Pt. 1: Introducing the Portland Cross-Pollination Project
05/12/08: Pt. 2: Know anyone in Eugene? Slideshow gathering Wednesday 5/21!

Jenny’s Journey 2006-2007... and beyond?

My intention is that this journey both reflects and serves grassroots social movements in Portland and afar.

I am building upon my five-year foundation of active involvement in community projects in Portland, OR, working with two grassroots non-profits (The City Repair Project; Tryon Life Community Farm). During this time I have addressed a variety of issues including innovative solutions to urban growth and planning, public involvement/civic engagement, transportation, regional governance, the built environment, fundraising, neighborhood associations, non-profits and grassroots organizing.

I just took a year to step back and ask how local- and global-scale efforts can meet. My goal was to "cross-pollinate" (network) with grassroots organizations / people / movements and simply take the time to learn and listen to each other's stories, issues and strategies.

I started in the fall of 2006 in Tucson, AZ, testing the idea of being a full-time "cross-pollinator." It was a fabulous experience, which you can read about here.

Then I left for Africa and the World Social Forum in Nairobi, ready to challenge and open my understanding of local/global activism, grassroots movement building and make (activist) friends in other countries with whom I can continue to work with throughout my life.

My plan was to spend six months after the Forum visiting the people that I met there in order to learn directly from their experiences. My travels took me to seven countries in East and Southern Africa, where I connected with hundreds of visionary people and creative projects. The cross-pollination was on many levels! In July 2007 I returned to the States with many new friends and applicable lessons with which to move forward.

Ecosystem of change?

It’s really quite simple: we are all so busy working on our main issue of choice that we don’t think we have time to get involved with “someone else’s” issue. “I’m glad they’re working on that because I need to work on this.” But what I’m finding is that if we simply take a moment to listen to each other’s stories, or attend “someone else’s” meeting or event, we would find quite a few opportunities to learn from and support each other, and see how the underlying issues truly are closely connected. If every activist checked out just one meeting/event of another group each month, all of our work would integrate on its own! It's about seeing ourselves as an ecosystem of change rather than in isolated "issue silos."

It's the web!! Live it!!

“From below & to the left”

My perspective stems from grassroots organizing; I believe in education and action at the most fundamental level – our neighborhoods, communities and day-to-day lives – as the foundation for sustainable culture as a whole. I am interested in any and all social/ ecological issues because they are all leaves from the same tree, and I focus on our common roots. I am interested in all strategies, tactics, modalities for social change, and how to see each as an important piece in one big life puzzle.

Lingo and Language

Some words perform a service as a shortcut for complex concepts, so here are some explanations of my lingo… if you can offer me a more refined word, please do!

Activist: anyone working in any way to bring the world closer to social and ecological harmony--broad definition!

Organizing/organizer: Anyone working to focalize or create resonance for a person or group to do something (an event, a project, a meeting, a campaign)

Human-scale: doing things at an understandable, accessible, graspable scale; part of a direct or small enough feedback loop where effects of actions are apparent in relatively short time and/or directly to the people who make the actions; human-scale can be different for each person!

Sustainability: the concept of the human species finding ways to live in harmony with each other and the natural world

Grassroots: “The People”; a place-based or issue-based community or individual working directly for that community and from their own personal experiences

“Movement of movements”: not a formal organization but the concept that all social and ecological movements are part of a larger movement, branches of the same tree; anyone working for sustainability (social/ecological harmony); some people call this ‘The Great Turning’

Issue: the particular concerns or passions of a person or group that spur from the challenging dynamics of human beings’ relationship with each other and the earth, i.e. the “bad stuff happening in the world that we want to do something about.”

Strategies, Tactics, Tools, Modalities: the ways we are trying to make change happen, the infrastructure with which we organize or educate. Examples include: experiential education, demonstration centers, policy change, “green” business, direct action, celebratory events, teach-ins, etc.

Six months in Africa - general overview

Six month journey details!

Nairobi, Kenya

* 1/16 * Flew to Nairobi
* 1/18 * Camel Peace Caravan
* 1/19 * Kibera Slum with David Driscoll's class
* 1/19 * Leah, AIDS orphans
* 1/20-1/25 * World Social Forum
* 1/20-1/25 * Milimani informal settlement bulldozing
* 1/26-1/29 * Lake Naivasha
* 1/29 * Kenny, the Maasai journalist
* 1/30 * Nairobi sparks: Eric, James
* 1/30 * Fundraising workshop

Johannesburg, South Africa

* 1/31 * Flew to Joburg

Capetown, South Africa

* 2/1 * Flew to Capetown
* 2/2 * Began Pangaea work
* 2/2 * City Councilor: Smile-A-Child
* 2/3 * Poetry Festival
* 2/4 * Zillarain informal settlement
* 2/4 * Anti-Eviction Campaign
* 2/4 * Plastic tent family
* 2/5 * ILRIG and Community House
* 2/5 * The Big Issue
* 2/5 * Shack Dwellers International
* 2/6 * City of Capetown Vryground
* 2/6 * Homestead, City Mission
* 2/7 * Educo
* 2/7 * People's Env. Planning
* 2/7 * Ma Tembo's funeral
* 2/8 * Khayelitsha, Mandela Park
* 2/8 * QQ protest in Khayelitsha
* 2/8 * Eco-village in Khayelitsha
* 2/8 * Soraya neighborhood group
* 2/9 * Robben Island
* 2/9 * Dizu

Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

* 2/10-2/11 * Garden Route and Wild Coast
* 2/12-2/14 * Bulungula Village
* 2/16 * Mzamba Community

Durban, South Africa

* 2/17 * Social Movements Indaba

Swaziland

* 2/18-2/21 * AIDS related projects

Johannesburg, South Africa

* 2/22 * lunch with Mac Maharaj
* 2/23 * Alexandra Township
* 2/24-2/25 * Motsoaledi, Soweto
* 2/25 * Maureen, Landless People's Movement
* 3/1-3/4 * Motsoaledi

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

* 3/4-3/5 * Bus to Bulawayo
* 3/6 * Radio Dialogue
* 3/6 * Bulawayo Agenda
* 3/7 * National Constitutional Assembly

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

* 3/7-3/8 * train to Vic Falls
* 3/8-3/10 * Victoria Falls

Livingstone, Zambia

* 3/12 * Zambia Homeless People's Federation/Shack Dwellers International

Lusaka, Zambia

* 3/13 * ride to Lusaka
* 3/13-3/15 * sick in bed!
* 3/16 * Chamanyazi's tour
* 3/17 * School arts festival
* 3/17 * Chamanyazi music studio
* 3/18 * Patricia Phillippe show
* 3/19 * Mutuna and Qfm
* 3/20 * Zambia Homeless People's Federation/Shack Dwellers International

Harare, Zimbabwe

* 3/21 * bus to Harare
* 3/22 * Dialogue on Shelter/Shack Dwellers International
* 3/23 * Vusa's studio
* 3/24-3/30 * Kufunda Village
* 3/25 * Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka
* 3/25-3/31 * Uhuru Network
* 3/28 * Permakulture Kollektive
* 3/31 * Book Café poetry slam

Johannesburg, South Africa

* 3/31-4/1 * ride to Johannesburg
* 4/1-4/2 * Motsoaledi, Soweto

Nairobi, Kenya

* 4/5 * flew to Kenya
* 4/6-4/14 * Sick!!!!
* 4/12-4/18 * Peace Caravan organizing
* 4/15-4/17 * Peace Caravan in Mombasa
* 4/19 * Milimani bulldozing 2nd visit
* 4/21 * Kibera slum 2nd visit

Tanzania

* 4/23 * bus to Arusha
* 4/24-4/25 * Karatu
* 4/26 * Moshi and Mt. Kili
* 4/27 * bus to Dar Es Salam

Zanzibar

* 4/28 * Zanzibar Stonetown
* 4/29 * Spice Tour
* 4/29 * Martin, Zanzibar International Film Festival
* 4/30-5/8 * Nungwe
* 5/9-5/10 * Stonetown

Tanzania

* 5/11-5/12 * TAZARA train
* 5/12-5/13 * Mbeya

Malawi

* 5/13 * travel to Malawi through various means
* 5/14-5/16 * meeting of permaculture project group
* 5/15 * permaculture school visits
* 5/16 * Kande Care School
* 5/18 * travel to Lilongwe
* 5/19-5/20 * Stacia and Chris's home
* 5/20 * bus to Blantyre
* 5/21 * permaculture school visits
* 5/21-5/23 * Glass House
* 5/22 * Tea Factory

Harare, Zimbabwe

Note that this six weeks in Zimbabwe was a flow between visiting the Uhuru Network in Highfields Township and Kufunda Village outside of Harare… below are some specific events
* 5/24 * Bus to Zim
* 5/25 * Africa Day Uhuru Slam
* 5/30 * Chiwonizo show
* 6/1 * Kufunda Open Day
* 6/3-6/8 * Zvimba and Mhondoro at Kufunda
* 6/9-6/10 * Zvimba visit, Bira ceremony
* 6/13 * Barr Learning Journey (LJ) at Kufunda
* 6/14 * Barr LJ at Uhuru
* 6/15-6/16 * Barr LJ at Rusape
* 6/16 * Day of the African Child Uhuru Community Slam
* 6/16 * 10 year Anniv. Book Café
* 6/18-6/21 * Kufunda Herb and Health workshop
* 6/30 * Permaculture Day

Johannesburg, South Africa

* 6/30-7/1 * bus to Johannesburg
* 7/1-7/2 * Khanya Winter School
* 7/4 * Apartheid & Workers Museums
* 7/5 * GreenHouse Project
* 7/6-7/7 * Khanya Winter School
* 7/7 * Horror Café Sounds of Edutainment
* 7/9 * Motsoaledi, Soweto
* 7/10 * Khanya College building
* 7/12-7/13 * Flew home