Mutual Support Groups (MSG's): A Local Idea

[techres]

Ok, I have been mulling this idea over and given the current concerns about the economy, etc., I thought it would be good to roll out here and for consideration:

INGO Area Mutual Support Groups

Purpose: To facilitate and promote skills, materials and communications between individuals in a local area with the intent of a mutual response to a short or long term crisis.

Organization: None beyond a phone list and a commitment to helping others and accepting other's help as needs be. No central leadership, no uniforms, no ranks, this is not a militia.

Meetings: Gather once a month for a dinner and planning/training session. Individuals take turns to lead a session in an area of their experience/expertise or simply in something they have researched (if no-one has other training). Organizing to go as a group to CPR classes or other professional training would even be better.

Activities: Camping trips, hikes, trips to the range, and so forth. Members who have can help those who do not. Better yet, trips to bulk food stores to stock up on supplies or other suppliers of emergency materials.

Intent: To make sure that people in the same area are as possible, and to continually increase that preparedness. Additionally, to have contact capabilities between area members so that when the power lines go down and INGO goes dead, we are not a bunch of individuals sitting alone in the dark. For those who would bug out, let's work together to make that a better possibility. For those who would have to bug in, let us make sure we can coordinate efforts to mutual support possible.

To be clear, this is not militia training in the sense of small and large unit military training. This is neighbors banding together to help make our community ready if a disaster were to happen. Furthermore, this should all be fun!

As a way to move forward with this, anyone in Monroe County or a surrounding county who is interested, PM me. I think the best way to do this is to find out who is interested and start with a picnic and a few trips to the range (I can only take one person at a time - yes this means you Nate).

Let me know!
Techres

P.S. Yes, I went with MSG because I likes my msg...

12/31/08 UPDATE:

Since people have shown interest in MSG's it would make sense to have some structure to help things along. How about we break the map up into 4 areas (or more as the case needs)? Lets try this to begin with, unless someone has something better:



I know that Silentwarrior has go the ball rolling up his way (Area 2). There is a core already started down here in Bloomington in Area 3 and we hope to do some get together's before long. Area 1 and 4, who knows?

If you are interested, post your username and area and what you can teach/do and lets start up some groupings!

01/07/09 UPDATE:

A brief listing of people interested by Area & County:

Area 1 (Coordinators ?):

Mr.Hoppes, Elkhart
Bob Wyre, Allen
turnandshoot4, Jasper
TomN, Saint Joseph
Jeremiah, Noble
Sgt 1371, Laporte
Cwood, Marshall
Warwagon, Clark
C.H.U.D., Elkhart Co
cmax01, Elkhart
GhostofWinter, Lake Station
porkpie, Noble
Gritch, Porter County
mikea46996, Pulaski Co.
CulpeperMM, Ft. Wayne
Sailor, unknown


Area 2 (Coordinators - SilentWarrior1?):

DRob, Marion
jrb466, Marion
Flintlock, Marion
gage, Marion
SilentWarrior1, Hendricks
Disposable Heart, Hendricks
SavageEagle, Hendricks
AllenM, Hendricks
IndyBeerman, Hendricks
Electronrider, Tippecanoe
USMC_0311, Madison
zimzum, Madison
Royal-1, Hamilton
mconley, Morgan
Jay, Grant
longbow, (family in Noblesvile)
infidel, Montgomery
RTDoug, Madison, Delaware, Henry county
El Cazador, Hendricks
pierce195, Henry
schwaky18, delaware/marion
swatdoc, Franklin?
ATF Consumer, Marion
zimzum
hotfarmboy1
Beau


Area 3 (Coordinator - longbow):

techres, Monroe
bwframe, Monroe
NateIU10, Monroe
SoundslikeJosh, Monroe
Stevenlong8, Monroe
tyler34, Monroe
Panama, Monroe
Dr Falken, Monroe
stormryder, Ripley
longbow, Brown
mconley, Morgan
csaws, Morgan
KDUBCR250, Morgan
mconley, Morgan
smokingman, Johnson
Chefcook, Unknown
right winger, Sullivan
4sarge, Sullivan
Gump, Monroe
Anne Oakley, Greene
Bull, Jennings
INRanger, Martin
jblomenberg16, Jackson
Lucas156

Area 4 (Coordinators ?):

INRanger, Martin
gun_nut, Gibson Co.


UPDATE 07/10/09

Due to being overwhelmed with Appleseed and INGO Moderating, I have neglected the MSG activities. Thankfully, longbow has stepped forward to take over and start making things happen again. My thanks to him and I look forward to seeing more picnics, shoots, and training sessions. Thanks to everyone!