A-Infos (en) NortheEast America - "Friends of NEFAC" mailing list migrated to http://libcom.org/forums/nefac

The most serious anarchist discussion mailing list migrated to libcom.org 
http://libcom.org/forums/nefac Following is an interesting quote from the forum:
"As far as answering a few of the questions pertaining to NYMAA, strickly 
speaking NYMAA is a membership based organization, with a structure of account 
and task orientation. I guess it could be characterized as a "network", although 
we do have "general assemblies" where our "members" make decisions about things 
like affiliation and working group formation, etc. There's also a consciousness 
of "belonging" to something you can be proud to be building, and that again 
impllies a consciousness that goes further than the identification we have with 
networks. ---- Politically it's "synthesis" although it can clearly be stated 
that that sythesis excludes anti-organizationalists. I think NYMAA is a good 
example of the general synthesis organization that tends to draw the 
unaffiliated "anarchy"-ist radical, as well as a few seasoned veterans and clear 
adjective holders (syndicalists, communists, etc) and offer them all the tools 
and connections to learn and activate, blah blah blah.

Structurally NYMAA is set up as both a "transmission belt" of projects, 
campains, and activities, and simultaneously, interrelatively its sort of a 
"collective producing" organ. Anarchists can come in and "use it" to "make" 
projects that are desired or needed. And thrice already the working groups that 
nymaa has thrown up have turned into their own beasts. All good.

NYMAA is a HUGE improvement over anything thats come around in years. The 
"nearly a hundred years" bit is partly tongue and cheek, partly a jab at the 
state of the US movement since the wane of the 1920s. Have a laugh, eh?

All these questions can be answered, BTW, with a half hour spent on our website. 
http://www.nymaa.org. Below is something that the Props Crew (propaganda working 
group) put together to preface our pamphlet at the first NYC anarchist bookfair 
(that was an outgrowth of nymaa, although it can be equally claimed that it was 
bound to happen anyway, Id make the claim that the very fact of NYMAA's 
existence propelled it forward).

Take care, personal capacity
----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello fellow revolutionaries.

We are pleased to introduce to you the New York Metro Alliance of Anarchists. 
NYMAA is an organization - a "General Union", "General Alliance" or 
"Association" if you will - of anarchists in the New York City area. We came 
together officially in March of 2006, after several months of intense 
discussions about what sort of structure and indeed purpose NYMAA should 
envision and pursue. While our aggregate accomplishments have been modest thus 
far, our visions and goals are, like most anarchists, full of grandiose 
yearnings. We got big plans!

Our basic organizational structure is simple. We carry out our organizing 
through the standard "working group" (of which anyone can propose and initiate). 
These are essentially the small collectives of individuals dedicated to a 
particular cause or project. At one time we had a few "locals" in operation (one 
in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan, etc), but these subgroups have waned while the 
energy goes into the working groups. We also encourage caucuses (its in our 
structure document).

Every two or three months we hold the crown jewel of the NYMAA meeting, the 
General Assembly. Here we call together our members (see our membership criteria 
in the structure document below) as well as anyone else who's interested in 
attending these rather large meetings (by today's standards attracting the 60 or 
so attendees is a large anarchist gathering!). We occasionally format 
discussions into the beginning of the assembly, along with information tables 
featuring the subgroups efforts. Then we'll deal with the "important" decisions 
regarding proposals for action, for instance, or run of the mill structure 
issues, such that we must keep up with in order that an organization like this 
can keep running (the General Assemble is the highest decision making body of 
NYMAA).

In order to carry out the day to day business of an organization like this, we 
have a working group dedicated to the task. Its our Nuts and Bolts WG, and it 
meets frequently-once a week usually-and is a great place for neophytes to get 
acquainted with NYMAA. This working group, like all working groups, is open to 
everyone, but unlike the other groups, has a very specific mandate in that it 
must keep NYMAA afloat, organize the General Assemblies, and deal with the 
unseen events that occasionally transpire.

This working group is also "pointed" (point people set the meeting time and 
place, and keep people to task) by our own unique contribution to the annuls of 
anarchist structure: the Communications Group (see our structure document for 
the equally unique way in which we elect out Comms members). The comms is a sort 
of "General Secretariat" position. Only, we have three of them, to lessen the 
burden of the onerous nature of moderating the listserve, for instance!

We've left out a great deal here, while hopefully giving you a taste of the 
nature of this group we call NYMAA. Take a moment and familiarize yourself with 
our structure document (below), contact one of the subgroups listed below, or 
feel free to ask any NYMAA member you happen to run into any unanswered 
questions you may still have, or send us an email and someone will most likely 
get back to you.

_____

BUT HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Nothing could be simpler. You could come to one of our General Assemblies, which 
take place every three months. Or you could take part in one of our working 
groups (also known as "grouplets"), some of which which meet every week. There 
are lots of different projects and campaigns currently in the works, and we're 
always looking for people to bring new projects into the mix as well. See below 
for specific grouplet campaigns and projects.

So, if you want to get involved, get active, and get "revolutionary", then check 
out http://nymaa.org/grouplets

_______

ROCK DOVE COLLECTIVE

Rock Dove is a collective of anarchist individuals who seek to address the need 
for helpful, accessible, non-hierarchical health assistance in our communities. 
We support de-centralized and non-oppressive forms and sources of physical, 
mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. We see this as both a daily 
necessity and a revolutionary strategy

http://www.rockdovecollective.org/

_______

RADICAL HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA

The Radical Homosexual Agenda provides grass-roots support for queer youth and 
adults entrenched along the frontlines of the homophobia crisis in America. 
Frequently recognizable by our regulation pink army helmets, we believe in 
education and advocacy via direct action, sensationalism, and participatory 
arts-n'-crafts for all.

http://www.radicalhomosexualagenda.org/

_______

<snip>
_______

PROPAGANDA / ARTS

The prop / arts crew is tasked with the creation and distribution of material, 
in the form of pamphlets, posters, stickers, flyers, and brochures, that 
educates and agitates the general population about anarchism and 
anti-authoritarian concepts and ideas. We got some kick ass designs going on, 
and would love your input, some get involved!

http://www.nymaa.org/propaganda
_______

GLOBAL NETWORKS

Global Networks is a working group dedicated to making and sustaining 
connections with movements, groups, and collectivities outside of the NYC metro 
area. GNWG divides its time with projects ranging from Zapatista and Mexican 
solidarity, to US Social Forum participation, to supporting First Nations 
resistance to colonialism and oppression.

http://www.nymaa.org/global

_______

READING & STUDY GROUP

The NYMAA Reading Group is open to all those interested in studying anarchism-- 
while some participants have read widely in anarchist theory and history, no 
prior knowledge of anarchism is expected. We have been meeting monthly since 
November '06 and select readings collectively. Check the events listings on the 
front page of this website for upcoming discussions.

To join our e-mail list, send a message to
nymaa-reading-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

_______

NUTS & BOLTS WORKING GROUPS

How do we keep a revolutionary organization functioning smoothly, week-in, 
week-out? How can we continually increase the level of participation and direct 
democracy in our organization? These are just some of the questions we try to 
answer every week at Nuts & Bolts meetings, which are an outgrowth of the 
function of NYMAA's Communications Group. In addition, Nuts & Bolts plans 
NYMAA's General Assemblies, hosts the occasional theoretical/topical discussion, 
and serves as a weekly port of call for NYMAA newcomers and old-timers alike.

http://www.nymaa.org/nutsbolts
Contact:
nymaa-comms@riseup.net

_______

ANTI-WAR WORKING GROUP

The anti-war working group of NYMAA is currently engaged in a conversation about 
the efficacy of utilizing the "Ya Basta" tactic and strategy for the anti-war 
movement. We are closely affiliated with the M19 Peace Action Coalition and are 
dedicated to "politics as prelude", or the building of movements that can not 
only stop the war but move on toward the horizon of possibilities.

http://nymaa.org/anti-war
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