Mutual Assistant Groups: Decision Making, by Crusoe

In the previous two articles I talked about why it is important to have a charter and the reason to define values. The next step is probably the trickiest because it is the hardest obstacle to navigate. Without a solid method of making group decisions your mutual assistance group will quickly be mired in conflict and will become stagnant. It is time to check your ego and help the team move forward.

There are really three leadership methods that can be used for building your group: autocratic, council team, and democratic. With many groups it is best to use all three of them for varying situations and purposes. I believe there needs to be a designated leader that is agreed upon by the group, but there also needs to be a mechanism to encourage participation from the rest of the members.

Here is how our group’s decision-making process is defined.

Leadership: Leadership is by committee with the property owner being the tie breaking vote for any issues that are evenly split. All members will be given the courtesy and due process to voice their side of an argument even if it is dissenting. All members agree to accept the vote as it stands and move forward, regardless of opposition. Once membership increases the leadership dynamics can then be further addressed.
Executive Council: Consists of the founding members of the group. All strategic decisions must be brought to the table with a 3/4 majority voting structure. The property owner is the tie breaking vote.

The reasoning behind our method is that we want to encourage group participation while also having a system in place to move the ball forward. We value everyone’s opinion, but humans are humans and decision making can quickly splinter groups into factions and disrupt what it is we are trying to do. The goal is to have a method to bring an issue forward, discuss, decide, and then move on.

Crusoe is retired from the Air Force after 30-years of service as a flight crew member. He spends most of his time thinking about the apocalypse and how to mitigate its effects. When not immersed in academic pursuits, he is often on a trail hiking in the mountains of North Georgia or reading with a glass of Irish whiskey and a German Shepherd by his side. Global travel enthusiast, history nerd, Appalachian Trail thru hiker, and recovering ultra-endurance athlete. He can be reached at [email protected]

By PatriotmanPublished On: December 30, 2021Categories: Guest Authors, Preparedness & Homesteading6 Comments

About the Author: Patriotman

Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations. Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore

6 Comments

Mas Casa December 30, 2021 at 10:23

To those that have been successful informing groups, how have you gathered group members and how do you vet prospective members?

I know that methods will vary by geographic region, just seeking others’ ideas. Thanks.
- Crusoe December 30, 2021 at 11:18
  
  That is the very next article going up. I have two more articles going after recruiting to round out the series. Stay tuned!
  - Mas Casa December 30, 2021 at 21:33
    
    Sounds good. Looking forward to it.
C71M December 30, 2021 at 17:32

Has anyone attempted to organize their neighborhood or area and have an individual that didn’t have any input or initiative ask the following: Half or most of the way through the meeting, that person asks, “ Just who appointed you?”

Trying to be courteous, one yields to hear their dissent. Even welcome their input, but the person has nothing additional. Just states “ basically” they agree with you. Then again that person asks “ just wanted to know who appointed you?”

I’m an easy, simple guy. I try to get along with all. Particularly neighbors. Will listen attentively to all. Such a question from a non-contributor baffles my logic though.

Fortunately a few other neighbors gave him an answer that settled it.

Just curious how others have handled such.
- Crusoe December 30, 2021 at 18:08
  
  I am with you. I also try to get along with most people but there comes a time where if someone is unproductive they don’t get invited back. You have to ask yourself if this is the guy that is going to help things move in the right direction. Is he a provider or just a consumer. If not, then cut bait and move on without a second thought.
  - Privateer December 30, 2021 at 18:47
    
    That would be the kind of guy that would wait until you are out on patrol or such, then come rape your wife and take all your stuff. How is that situation handled?