Okay we've all beat our chest, lamented and throttled the dead horse of AAWA.
TIME TO MOVE ON!
I suggest those of us on J-W.n who care about creating something the right way TAKE THE TROUBLE to get the framework going.
Let's do the grunt work and get the nattering, debates, naming and organizing ALREADY pre-approved so that "others" who have the talent, ability, motivation and resources can move in and turn the key!
Why?
Because it WAS NOT DONE before.
There is more wisdom on this discussion board in our vast numbers than there could possibly be in a virtual boardroom with 8 people brain-storming.
That isn't an insult--it is just a statistical fact!
Let's start by eliminating the errors of organizing.
I'll throw out suggestions, you throw out suggestions.
We all tug at the loose ends.
We get a consensus.
We INVITE CRITICISM so that the framework and the focus of group energy is not diffused with bickering, ineptitude and negligence.
Step 1 All ideas welcome
1. I am NOT in charge. Nobody is in charge. We all just toss out ideas.
2.We decide what it is we do NOT want to do and how we do NOT want to do it.
3.We decide what it is we DO want to do and how we DO want to do it.
4. We do NOT compile membership lists. Nobody is known who wants to remain anonymous!
Step 2 Agreement
1.We EX-JW's are gun shy. People in authority messed us over. We have a right to be suspicious, ornery and difficult. But, we have to learn to work together in order to actually DO SOMETHING besides say we are going to DO something.
2.No money shall be raised! This is strictly every-man-for-himself when it comes to spending projects! You do what you can and it is nobody's business how you spend YOUR OWN money. If you don't have any to spend it is nobody's business that you DON'T spend.
3.When we come up with (or don't) a great idea--we take a survey and a vote. THEN--we argue the merits of it and vote AGAIN!
4.We are like a Class Action suit--it is the magnitude of our protest that makes us empowered--the more of us who AGREE that something is going to be done the more our numbers make the impact formidable. Let us set a goal for the first month of at least a THOUSAND activists, members, vigilantes or whatever the hell we decide we are going to be.
Step 3 FORMAL NAME
1. The AAWA's first problem was not asking ALL THE EX-JW'S to argue and debate and vote on a common name. The chief protest was that the acronym didn't mean anything unambiguous AND was negative. So, we don't make that mistake. There are some great minds here on J-W.n. Let's us them!
2. I personally prefer a SLOGAN that would make a great T-shirt. Something such as "ASK ME what is TTATT?" Something catchy stimulating curiousity.
3. Once we achieve a consensus on the formal NAME of the group we have one more round of carping, criticism and then a VOTE.
Step 4 ACTIVATE!
1. A list of DO-able acts of protest, publicity, public debate, letter writing campaigns, organized leaflet distribution, press-releases and other stragies
can be written into the boiler-plate.
2.Identify methods of pulling in similar groups or organizations without compromising the core elements of EX-JW-dom. To wit: we don't diffuse the identity of people harmed by false religious oppression. We stay "pure" to undermining the suppressions of JW authority. We do not target members per se.
3.Each and every month we will have some TARGET to achieve we ALL can work toward achieving. A campaign with a purpose will demonstrate to us and to others what is workable, what is possible and what is achievable.
Now, I stop right here.
I'm just one person who has sat here the last number of days shaking my head at the terrible and depressing MESS that could have been something wonderful and powerful and effective in ENGAGING THE WATCHTOWER LEADERSHIP with an awesome force of VICTIMS WHO WON'T STAY SILENT!
(VWWSS)?
Do you like this idea of creating something grassroots? Should we build a structure that others can flesh out into a real mainstream movement?
Do you just want to sit back down and moan and complain instead? That's okay. Your voice is important too!
It is easier to say what is WRONG with something than to create something that is right. But--please SAY SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING even if it means you drive the rest of us insane with your nitpicking. Okay?
I TURN IT OVER TO THE GROUP.
Let's have some feedback!