What to look for when starting a group?

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  • Dorky_D

    Expert
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    4   0   0
    Dec 4, 2010
    1,188
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    I was a part of a group and dropped out. One of the other guys in the group and I are thinking of starting over. We are just in the idea stage right now. We may or may not ask SOME of the members of the old team. The reason why I left is that people were interested, but did not do anything or contribute more than talking and talking about politics during the last election.

    So for those that have done this once or twice, what would you do from the get go if you had to re-start?

    Here are a couple of things I am thinking of (trying to keep it high level, but intend to get more granular for actual use).

    Have something written up as a purpose or mission.
    Have a list of expectations (keeping as small as we can but focused on what needs to be done).
    Have a list of gear/supplies all families should be working toward and promising to work toward it.
    Having a list of minimum requirements (this scares me a bit as I do not like getting overly heavy).
    Having a list of expected behaviors (again this scares me a bit).
    Having some sort of signed commitment with expectations to contribute to the group.

    So, in some ways I like job descriptions and rules as it sets what you should do. I know those libertarian type folks (I lean this way a bit) also want to put off some of that and I understand that too. The objective is to get people that want to do stuff and to know what that stuff is and lay out for them what the expectations are. I am less about being dogmatic (as bills and family emergencies happen), but more about pushing forward. I am not a hard driver kind of guy, but I do have little patience for inactivity when there is plenty to do.

    Thoughts?
    Those that are in groups, do you have any of this set up?
    What has worked, what has not?

    I am a big believer in asking advice and learning from the mistakes and lessons of others (and my own). Thanks!
     

    spencer rifle

    Grandmaster
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    66   0   0
    Apr 15, 2011
    6,544
    149
    Scrounging brass
    All of our members go to the same church and have known each other for years. Ages range from retirees to new parents. We aim for a variety of skills and supplies and options and locations. We have nurses, serving military, food prep specialists, communications, water and food acquisition skills, gardening, hunting, reloading, educators, emergency med people, machine repairmen
    We have people with reinforced shelters, large bug-out vehicles, radios, arms and ammo, packs and backpacking supplies, etc.
    Our main objectives: Your family is my family, keep our religious outlook in adversity, help where we will not endanger the community.
    Our main challenges: Getting all these busy folks to meet regularly and acquire communications equipment, OPSEC (something I'm not helping by posting here).
     

    rhino

    Grandmaster
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    24   0   0
    Mar 18, 2008
    30,906
    113
    Indiana
    The most important thing by far is to include only people that you know with certainty that you can trust and upon whom you can rely.

    Everything else can be learned or acquired.
     

    Aflac

    Plinker
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    3   0   0
    Sep 14, 2017
    53
    6
    Indiana
    I am running into a similar issue. I am wanting to start a group but first selecting people to reach out to and also what tenets to base the group on.
     

    IndyDave1776

    Grandmaster
    Emeritus
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    12   0   0
    Jan 12, 2012
    27,286
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    While I have not been involved in starting this type of group, my broader experiences impress upon me that with any potential group forming for any reason, those (potentially) involved agree that there is something about the status quo that needs to be changed. This DOES NOT guarantee that they are in agreement about the desired result. Be sure that everyone is in fact on the same page before going anywhere. Ideally, you should be dealing with a group of trusted friends with the same vision, goals, and commitment. If this is the case, a written agreement is superfluous.
     

    Lanternman

    Plinker
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    1   0   0
    Sep 5, 2017
    66
    6
    East Central
    The most important thing by far is to include only people that you know with certainty that you can trust and upon whom you can rely.

    There is no certainty when dealing with people. Never seen it. Even people with the best of intentions will let you down under the right circumstances. That leaves you the option of going it alone, or grouping with people you will stick with in spite of their limitations. Family; either by blood or dedication. Relative certainty. Comparative certainty. Maybe.

    I figure you might as well approach life as everybody is your friend or no one is. It doesn't make much difference one way or the other. I think Kevin Kline said that in Silverado, or something close to that.
     
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