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General Discussion / Re: Self Sufficiency - 2024 vs. 1776
« Last post by Searchboss on May 17, 2024, 09:08:35 AM »Every time I bring up the subject of a written MAG agreement with any individual prepper or group they start prevaricating. Like most people, I dislike having to follow rules and adhering to policies set down by others. I think that it is just human nature to be as independent as possible.
Unfortunately, history has proven that people NEED rules that we can all agree to abide by to reduce interpersonal problems as much as possible. Without some common basis of agreement, there will always be misunderstanding or obfuscation of what was originally stated by the involved parties.
As an example, I have been a member of several clubs over the years that were typically governed by some form of Roberts Rules of Order as stated in their Constitution and By-laws. Occasionally at meetings, there was contention about some point. Roberts Rules of Order, as convoluted as they are, provided the basis for resolving the issue. As usual in a compromise, not everyone got what they wanted or was happy about the result, but in the end they agreed that the final decision was made following the rules all members agreed to abide by.
My point is that, in my opinion, any formal MAG that may need to self-govern in a long-term crisis scenario, particularly one that may be WROL, needs to have some form of written agreement about what their mutual goals and values are as well as how they shall be governed and make decisions as a group. Ideally, this should be done when the group is formed or shortly thereafter to give the MAG members some basic guidance as well as the basis for new members deciding if they want to join. Since the agreement is written and available to all members and all parties approved it when it was ratified or when they joined the MAG, there should be fewer points of contention.
Charley Hogwood wrote an excellent book on this subject titled ?The Survival Group Handbook? https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Group-Handbook-Organize-Situation/dp/149965264X.
I have always been a proponent of preparation and organization. Waiting until there is a problem to try to figure out how to resolve it during a crisis while everyone is stressed is a prescription for disaster. While it is an unsavory task and time-consuming, the MAG members should think things through and develop their MAG constitution, agreement, or action plan before it is needed. Leaving things up to chance is a bad idea.
An extreme example: If a MAG waits until the horde is approaching before talking about how they are going to support each other and where to set up a defense it will never get done in time. Conversely, if a MAG took the time to develop and disseminate to its members a viable local communications plan they should still be able to talk with each other when the power goes out.
Unfortunately, history has proven that people NEED rules that we can all agree to abide by to reduce interpersonal problems as much as possible. Without some common basis of agreement, there will always be misunderstanding or obfuscation of what was originally stated by the involved parties.
As an example, I have been a member of several clubs over the years that were typically governed by some form of Roberts Rules of Order as stated in their Constitution and By-laws. Occasionally at meetings, there was contention about some point. Roberts Rules of Order, as convoluted as they are, provided the basis for resolving the issue. As usual in a compromise, not everyone got what they wanted or was happy about the result, but in the end they agreed that the final decision was made following the rules all members agreed to abide by.
My point is that, in my opinion, any formal MAG that may need to self-govern in a long-term crisis scenario, particularly one that may be WROL, needs to have some form of written agreement about what their mutual goals and values are as well as how they shall be governed and make decisions as a group. Ideally, this should be done when the group is formed or shortly thereafter to give the MAG members some basic guidance as well as the basis for new members deciding if they want to join. Since the agreement is written and available to all members and all parties approved it when it was ratified or when they joined the MAG, there should be fewer points of contention.
Charley Hogwood wrote an excellent book on this subject titled ?The Survival Group Handbook? https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Group-Handbook-Organize-Situation/dp/149965264X.
I have always been a proponent of preparation and organization. Waiting until there is a problem to try to figure out how to resolve it during a crisis while everyone is stressed is a prescription for disaster. While it is an unsavory task and time-consuming, the MAG members should think things through and develop their MAG constitution, agreement, or action plan before it is needed. Leaving things up to chance is a bad idea.
An extreme example: If a MAG waits until the horde is approaching before talking about how they are going to support each other and where to set up a defense it will never get done in time. Conversely, if a MAG took the time to develop and disseminate to its members a viable local communications plan they should still be able to talk with each other when the power goes out.
Oh well, each to their own. 
I must admit that there is some of the same going on around here too, although we do not need a CCW permit in Georgia any longer. However, every adult in my family still has one. I am just glad they have an EDC and know how to use it! I have more to say on the subject of MAGs, but I will wait until tomorrow. Great comments and conversation here! 
