A person acting alone or with very little help or planning can accomplish a great deal if so minded. But most people need some support or back-up during or after an action so it’s generally best to form an Affinity Group if possible. An Affinity Group being a small number of people who all have a specific role within the group. Not everyone in the group needs to put themselves at risk of being arrested but they do need to have an active role of some kind.
Once a group of candidates for an action becomes apparent, have a fairly well structured meeting where all aspects of an action can be chewed over by everyone in the group. Write and pin up an agenda (once meeting starts – don’t write it on your computer at home or carry it with you – and make sure it’s destroyed after the meeting). The meeting’s agenda is fairly important so spend time – allow half an hour – including everything which needs consideration or a variety of important elements of the planning can be overlooked. Allocate time to your subjects and stick to times…..or you’ll still be there getting sidetracked by items not on the agenda at 4.00am the next day!
Appoint one person to act as facillitator, making sure the agenda is adhered to and that everyone has plenty of opportunity to speak. Have ‘go rounds’ before closing each topic and ask if anyone has further suggestions, doubts or queries before decisions are made. Appoint one person to take notes on decisions which are made so a summary of the meeting can take place at end.
Some suggestions for first meeting agendas:
What is the aim of your action and what do you hope to achieve. Sabotage? Publicity? Disclosures of information in court? Public support?
Funds/Budget.Can or will everyone fund their own role? Will anyone need help with expenses? Can anyone help with the costs of others? Does funding need to be found? Do all costs need to be shared equally?
Getting there. Personal or public transport? Or a combination? Public transport possibilities to be researched by all before next meeting.
Who will be undertaking the action and who will be in supporting roles, if needed?
Can one person assume complete responsibilty for any one support role or does it need two people?
Transport/driving:
Legal/Police station support.
Media liason & publicity work.
Court support
Can all required support roles be filled from within existing group? If not, who will contact who – and how – to issue an invitation to additional members?
Outline action plan.
Tools & equipment – who will obtain whatever’s needed and how will they be paid for?
Back up plan. What to do if action at target becomes impossible? Someone is arrested en route? Police guarding the place etc. Someone has to drop out at last minute? Nearby meeting place to consider options? Abandon action altogether on this occasion? Go to second target?
How to communicate with all group members in case of emergency. Cascade system? Work out communications in all scenarios.
Reccee work. Visit target. Who needs to go? Checking out nearby drop off and pick up points and ease of access. Noting down routine of target and hours of business, on-site security.
Supplies. What will everyone need? Will everyone be self-sufficient in their own role? Food, drink, all weather clothing, first aid, tools required for support role.
Produce maps and bring info to next meeting – who will do that?
Summary & conclusion of meeting.
Time and place of next meeting.
