In thinking about how to create a strong and lasting movement, and how to win over more followers, it seems there are at least three things it needs.

1) Credibilty

2) Represents common values

3) Has a sense of direction and purpose

Regarding #3, we need to be able to communicate to people how participating in this movement can accomplish the goals we seek. We need to articulate a "Theory of Change" that indicates we believe IF we take action(s) "X" this can lead to "Y" And also why we believe those actions can lead to Y. Example of a common theory of change "IF union workers go on strike THEN this will put pressure on management to comply with worker demands becaue of depleted resources (labor)".   I would recommend coming up with our Theory of Change, and ways to express it, to be a top agenda item.

Related to this, because at least one of our goals is the reduction of power and influence from mega-corporations and to alter their actions, we must look at what gives these corporations their power and enables these hamful actions to occur. And one is the participation of the citizens in the corporate economy. Therefore it seems a key component of the movement is taking action that will make people being wlling to sacrifice and not participate in the economy. This would indicate to the corporations that the movement is a real threat, because it will hurt them where it matters most, their pocketbook. And that the harmful actions they are engaging in will have real consequences, as it will cause people to withdraw from the economy. Therefore any discussion of expression should involve how do we communicate this idea of sacrifice and ways to not participate in the economy.

Any expression in this regard should have the following goals:

1) To motivate and encourage others

2) To inform people about ways they can not participate in the corporate economy, yet still have access to the things they need (food, clothing, entertainment, art, etc..)

3) To add credibility to the cause

4) Communicate our values

5) Communicate by how engaging in these actions, and the larger movement, it can reduce corproate power and influence,  alter their hamful actions, and achieve our larger goal.

How this plays out I don't exactly know. Maybe create a mock community garden, to show that there are ways to not participate in the corporate economy and still have sustenance (and its even better, as the food grown is healthy and tastes better). Also community gardens are great for building community, and are a symbol of community, which is a longing many have. And what partly drew me to the movement was your vision for inclusvity and building community. I want to make sure the general public sees that important and shared common value.

In fact I know someone who is involved in hydroponic community garden techology that is mobile. I'll see if we can use that technology. I'm not exactly sure how the logistics of all this would play out. But I think it could be a valuable asset to the cause.

We should  come up with other things that we can do though, that are powerful symbols that encourage people to sacrifice and not participate in the corporate economy, and specific ways of doing so.

Jeff