Join the VFP Nomads
We still need to get 5 more signatures and DD214s taken care of. This VFP chapter is exclusively for lower or no-income veterans, and we also admit veterans of the PEACE CORPS as well as civilian supporters. But the 5 more vets are necessary, and they need to have the DD214. We can help the vet get this, as we have the forms to mail in. Vets in San Francisco can get help at Swords to Plowshares, at 1060 Howard Street in SF.
The NOMAD Chapter proposal: Veterans for Peace
NOMAD “Chapters” are intended to engage veterans at the street level, and attempt to draw them closer to VfP and the anti-war movement. Concurrent with the need to politicize veterans and encourage their participation in the political process as they navigate the Establishment bureaucracy, there is also the concern of satisfying the basic needs of those veterans coping with various Military Ailments such as PTSD,MST,TBI. These physical “disabilities” are “political strengths”, and composted by the bitter conditions of homelessness alienate many veterans from eachother and themselves. We are determined to recover and repair that person should they be so inclined.
Recover, repair, politicize and mobilize. When people are engaged in the struggle for survival, there is little else to think about, much less time to fully engage the very mechanisms that could help them out of their rut. This general condition must be transformed into a positive position of self empowerment and self reliance.
Homeless veterans are particularly at risk, due to the general conditions of homelessness (substance abuse,lack of food, shelter, sleep, companionship, hygiene,etc) and therefore need the support of a network that actually interfaces and empathizes with them. Since 2011 it has been the work of Occupy Veterans San Francisco to find and assist veterans who are not connected to any other Veterans Service or Organization. We have provided for their needs, be it sleeping bags/blankets or clothes, food, referrals to services, request forms for DD214s and other clerical assistance, and perhaps most importantly, a patient heart and listening ear, friendship is what most of them need above all.
We need to restrict the marginalization that vets often feel even within the Veteran Community.
The basic idea has always been to use the Occupy Veterans concept as a segue into ever more expanding dimensions of post deployment life. My model with OVSF is not entirely unique or even new. I have drawn inspiration from the VVAW rap sessions as well as Smedley Butler.
The idea of the NOMAD Chapter of VfP is an extension of the work I have been doing with OVSF and is a way to plug veterans into the broader dimensions of Veteran Advocacy and political activism. In many cases I have found this to provide the veteran with motivation,enthusiasm,initiative, an improved outlook on life, improvement of self image and self care, and when the veteran gains the new insight to their condition it tends to optimize the healing process.
With NOMAD chapters, the idea is that vets who are unable to commit to monthly dues or make it to meetings for whatever reason, can still remain connected and a part of the community.
The nuts and bolts of the idea are deceptively simple: a roving band of VfP associates and members, not tied down to any location, but able to roam and gather at critical points and times to affect material and political change in the lives of veterans and those touched by the ongoing War Processes of the US dependence on Militarism. (which is all of us, really)
Think of NOMADS as an Expeditionary or Strike force, ground troops or reserves everywhere but based out of nowhere. The ways I think the NOMAD Chapter would operate within the protocols of VfP doctrine and practice have primarily to do with dues and actions.
As to dues, I propose that the Nomad Chapter be of “free membership”. This sounds radical, but let me explain how I think it could work. A sliding scale or flexible, open ended approach to “dues collection” would look like the Chapter itself paid a collective dues amount. For example, if 10 vets equal $400 then as long as the NC can pay that amount, we may have as many folks as possible, with each “chipping in” what they are able. (It would appear that a chapter “costs” 400 bucks)
The NC will conduct fund raisers and the like to be able to finance itself, and to take care of the needs of individuals. Basically no individual will be barred from membership due to lack of funds. As concerns the concept of a “member in good standing”, this should not be solely predicated on financial ability, but conduct and merit. When people are able, I believe they will pay steady dues of any amount, as long as they feel secure or confident about their group. NOMAD chapter is a way for people to test drive the VfP and be a part of the larger anti-war movement without losing face or getting “kicked out” because they cannot “pay to play”.
As to actions, these will not disregard VfP doctrine or deviate from party line, as it were, but will be sharply focused on local issues and largely autonomous. NC spokes will reach out to the local vet pop and draw them into actions. The NC is a way to connect chapters and personnel in the real world, on the street without computers or meeting locations, not restricted to one meeting a month, they can meet anywhere at anytime.
NC would act as sort of auxiliaries to the local chapters and provide force multipliers to any given action. They can go into canyons, under bridges, in the streets and conduct SR missions.
Some people wish to avoid drama, or are unable to get to meetings, perhaps the local chapter isn't “working for them”. The NC is based on the idea of nomad chapters in motorcycle clubs. The individual remains apart, yet a part of the larger community, and is free to develop autonomously (people may feel much more loyal to a group that permits flexibility rather than a rigid program that stresses compliance)
I also propose the Chapter Number of #0 (zero). VfP Nomads Ch.#0. That sorts of pulls the whole “everywhere but nowhere” concept together...the first and the last, that whole trip. The unseen but present. The NC is for the homeless vet, and a means to politicize and motivate themselves.
I am basically proposing a type of “merger” between the work OVSF has been doing with the credibility and strength of VfP. As I had mentioned, my group is merely a routing mechanism or door way into VfP and other groups.
I would like to do this project because VfP is closest to my ideology and practice, and the organization has grown close to my heart.
In closing there are many countless “veterans for peace” already out there, they need to be found, deserve to be heard, and need to have access to what VfP and other groups have to offer, yet they themselves lack resources or are reluctant “joiners”. I would be exaggerating if I said I had all the answers and all the bugs worked out, but I firmly believe this needs to be done, and I can see no clear reason to not endorse or sanction this proposal.
NOMAD “Chapters” are intended to engage veterans at the street level, and attempt to draw them closer to VfP and the anti-war movement. Concurrent with the need to politicize veterans and encourage their participation in the political process as they navigate the Establishment bureaucracy, there is also the concern of satisfying the basic needs of those veterans coping with various Military Ailments such as PTSD,MST,TBI. These physical “disabilities” are “political strengths”, and composted by the bitter conditions of homelessness alienate many veterans from eachother and themselves. We are determined to recover and repair that person should they be so inclined.
Recover, repair, politicize and mobilize. When people are engaged in the struggle for survival, there is little else to think about, much less time to fully engage the very mechanisms that could help them out of their rut. This general condition must be transformed into a positive position of self empowerment and self reliance.
Homeless veterans are particularly at risk, due to the general conditions of homelessness (substance abuse,lack of food, shelter, sleep, companionship, hygiene,etc) and therefore need the support of a network that actually interfaces and empathizes with them. Since 2011 it has been the work of Occupy Veterans San Francisco to find and assist veterans who are not connected to any other Veterans Service or Organization. We have provided for their needs, be it sleeping bags/blankets or clothes, food, referrals to services, request forms for DD214s and other clerical assistance, and perhaps most importantly, a patient heart and listening ear, friendship is what most of them need above all.
We need to restrict the marginalization that vets often feel even within the Veteran Community.
The basic idea has always been to use the Occupy Veterans concept as a segue into ever more expanding dimensions of post deployment life. My model with OVSF is not entirely unique or even new. I have drawn inspiration from the VVAW rap sessions as well as Smedley Butler.
The idea of the NOMAD Chapter of VfP is an extension of the work I have been doing with OVSF and is a way to plug veterans into the broader dimensions of Veteran Advocacy and political activism. In many cases I have found this to provide the veteran with motivation,enthusiasm,initiative, an improved outlook on life, improvement of self image and self care, and when the veteran gains the new insight to their condition it tends to optimize the healing process.
With NOMAD chapters, the idea is that vets who are unable to commit to monthly dues or make it to meetings for whatever reason, can still remain connected and a part of the community.
The nuts and bolts of the idea are deceptively simple: a roving band of VfP associates and members, not tied down to any location, but able to roam and gather at critical points and times to affect material and political change in the lives of veterans and those touched by the ongoing War Processes of the US dependence on Militarism. (which is all of us, really)
Think of NOMADS as an Expeditionary or Strike force, ground troops or reserves everywhere but based out of nowhere. The ways I think the NOMAD Chapter would operate within the protocols of VfP doctrine and practice have primarily to do with dues and actions.
As to dues, I propose that the Nomad Chapter be of “free membership”. This sounds radical, but let me explain how I think it could work. A sliding scale or flexible, open ended approach to “dues collection” would look like the Chapter itself paid a collective dues amount. For example, if 10 vets equal $400 then as long as the NC can pay that amount, we may have as many folks as possible, with each “chipping in” what they are able. (It would appear that a chapter “costs” 400 bucks)
The NC will conduct fund raisers and the like to be able to finance itself, and to take care of the needs of individuals. Basically no individual will be barred from membership due to lack of funds. As concerns the concept of a “member in good standing”, this should not be solely predicated on financial ability, but conduct and merit. When people are able, I believe they will pay steady dues of any amount, as long as they feel secure or confident about their group. NOMAD chapter is a way for people to test drive the VfP and be a part of the larger anti-war movement without losing face or getting “kicked out” because they cannot “pay to play”.
As to actions, these will not disregard VfP doctrine or deviate from party line, as it were, but will be sharply focused on local issues and largely autonomous. NC spokes will reach out to the local vet pop and draw them into actions. The NC is a way to connect chapters and personnel in the real world, on the street without computers or meeting locations, not restricted to one meeting a month, they can meet anywhere at anytime.
NC would act as sort of auxiliaries to the local chapters and provide force multipliers to any given action. They can go into canyons, under bridges, in the streets and conduct SR missions.
Some people wish to avoid drama, or are unable to get to meetings, perhaps the local chapter isn't “working for them”. The NC is based on the idea of nomad chapters in motorcycle clubs. The individual remains apart, yet a part of the larger community, and is free to develop autonomously (people may feel much more loyal to a group that permits flexibility rather than a rigid program that stresses compliance)
I also propose the Chapter Number of #0 (zero). VfP Nomads Ch.#0. That sorts of pulls the whole “everywhere but nowhere” concept together...the first and the last, that whole trip. The unseen but present. The NC is for the homeless vet, and a means to politicize and motivate themselves.
I am basically proposing a type of “merger” between the work OVSF has been doing with the credibility and strength of VfP. As I had mentioned, my group is merely a routing mechanism or door way into VfP and other groups.
I would like to do this project because VfP is closest to my ideology and practice, and the organization has grown close to my heart.
In closing there are many countless “veterans for peace” already out there, they need to be found, deserve to be heard, and need to have access to what VfP and other groups have to offer, yet they themselves lack resources or are reluctant “joiners”. I would be exaggerating if I said I had all the answers and all the bugs worked out, but I firmly believe this needs to be done, and I can see no clear reason to not endorse or sanction this proposal.