Common Security Clubs Shelter Communities from Fiscal Insecurity

By Frances Lambrick

The economic crisis has precipitated a wave of community action—from strikes in France to local food exchanges in groups across the U.S. A new mechanism to discuss the roots of our economic problems and their ecological counterparts has sprung up in the form of common security clubs. In the face of the dominant economic attitude of ‘each for his own’, this trend represents a deeply powerful switch in focus toward community over credit.

Common security clubs can be formed independently or as part of an existing group. Churches, women’s groups, unions and others have provided the community basis from which common security clubs have formed. Many clubs are combining discussion of the economic crisis with wider consideration of spiritual and social concerns. Starter sessions include "The Roots of the Economic Crisis," "Things We Can Do Together," and "Actions to Transform the Economy." Common security club first learn and reflect, especially on the root causes of the current crisis. Secondly, they provide mutual aid and local action among members, and third, they start social actions aimed at creating economic and policy changes.

In Boston a common security club convened by a group of Haitian women decided to fight back against the ballooning payments demanded by their credit card companies. Their coordinator, Charlotte Desire describes their meeting: “One of the best moments was when everyone in our group called their credit card companies and threatened to cut up their cards unless fees were waived and interest rates were cut." Almost everyone in the group was able to save hundreds of dollars in interest payments and fees.

Coming together for reassurance and discussion and to pursue practical action, many groups are renewing their community relationships and wealth of mutual support.

http://extremeinequality.org/?p=92
http://commonsecurityclub.org/
http://www.ips-dc.org/articles/1021
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0902&arti...