For the Guys

Menstuff® has compiled the following information about For the Guys.

For The Guys: Building An Effective Men's Movement

A few of us in Canada have begun to think about elements of the movement beyond personal things like gatherings and story telling. This is not to say, in any sense, that the personal, emotional, spiritual, etc., is or isn't good, real, helpful. It's just that we are beginning to be clear about the need for next stages or other realms.

For The Guys is just getting under way. Everyone is more than welcome. At this point, no funds are being solicited from anyone, so there is no "sell" going on.

Suggested objectives of FTG are:

Coordination of individuals and groups in order to make possible a more coherent men's movement, and to perhaps bring about the items below
Taking stock of where the movement is today (in 2002)
Producing a well-reasoned plan for the systematic development of some or all of the items below
Creating, revamping or extending core documents meant to provide working objectives (not just a "vision"), such as A Declaration of Men's Independence, which are widely agreed upon by interested men in an actual process of consensus and negotiation, and which advance key terms of reference such as definitions of "men" and "man" which include meaningful recognition of actual individuals and is not a blanket or class term
A tactical handbook which provides a how-to in creating local organizations designed to achieve public goals and link them with personal solutions
An international entity funded by subscription (small personal donations) which is effective and responsible in supporting national and regional organizations that act as organizing umbrellas, lobby groups, research groups, information sources, media providers, etc.
Creating and maintaining at least one credible research entity (capable of influencing public policy or political party platforms) of the institute or "think tank" sort ["credible" here means having credentials capable of impacting the medical, legal and other professions]
Establishment of working partnerships between the men's movement and sympathetic or similar movements / organizations involved in social change, such as (perhaps) some branches of feminism, libertarianism, the Greens, civil liberties groups, etc. (Please note that this is not meant as a suggested orientation or direction - it is simply a brainstormed list to give examples)
Establishment of a working relationship with supporting professional entities such as the American Psychological Assocation or ACLU (once again, this is not meant to suggest a direction) (the point here would be for APA or ACLU to publicly support positions taken by the movement)
Developing a capacity to raise money for current and future media (such as grassroots men's movement magazines, web sites, publishers), local organizations (offices, events), and wider-scale activities such as those outlined above
Developing a capacity to responsibly manage and spend the money from the item above (management could include securing charitable status in various jurisdictions, fundraising, investing, accounting, office activities such as invoicing and issuing work orders, maintaining a legal board of directors, and operating a financial umbrella organization)

This list is, of course, a gigantic one. Some of the objectives are very long-term and broad-based. Many more could be suggested (please feel free to do so). By all means, it isn't written in stone or even good strong soap. It's only a possible starting point.

The list represents a set of key elements or instruments a movement for social change must put in place if it is to meaningfully change popular opinion and political will. It has been created by individuals with extensive experience of social change movements. It incorporates awareness of the "life stages" of social change movements - including the ways they can limit or defeat themselves.

If you or your organization would like to be involved, please reply to this e-mail to request the first step: a For The Guys e-mail newsletter. This newsletter will be used to sift through real facts and good ideas, and it will start us down the road to a useful plan. Thanks for taking the time. We look forward to hearing from you.

Source: Kurt Halliday, For The Guys, free.parking@sympatico.ca

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