Thinking about starting a secret society that is actually not a secret at all and is open to everyone, but we call it a secret society and have a cool clubhouse and secret handshakes and gestures for when we're in public and speak in code that's just silly nonsense.
It would be a community clothes closet, fridge and pantry, we'd have block parties where the only way you can gain admittance is to agree that this is totally a secret society and promise to tell at least one person that it's a secret society and tell them all about what we do and invite them to join.
We'd put ads out inviting people to come to our parties and join our secret society where it's just potlucks and trading or giving away things that members want to donate like clothes, books, furniture, baby items, old tools, extra tiles and lumber from that reno you overestimated materials for, etc.
There would be no leaders, just people who are good at organizing who want to help, and we would rotate and take shifts so nobody would be doing the same thing month to month.
There would be no dues or fees or treasury, just bring food and items to donate, and volunteer for setting up and cleaning up when you can. We'd have a community garden that was managed by volunteer members.
We'd have a time dedicated at each "meeting" (party) to discuss individual's needs like so-and-so needs help with a plumbing problem at their house, or so-and-so is offering free labor on car repairs, or this family in the community is looking for a pediatrician, or this elderly member needs help with yard work.
There would be no religious, political, or ideological prerequisites, just a community of people being kind to people.
If there were troublemakers, malcontents, or disrespectful people we would empathetically try to understand what their needs are that aren't being met and try to meet those needs, show them that there is a better way of resolving conflicts, and keep being kind, honest and respectful to them as an example of what community can be. We wouldn't just kick them out because we're stronger unified.
I don't believe this is an impossible idealistic fantasy. I've seen groups like this, I've been part of groups akin to this, and I've heard good accounts of communities getting through very difficult times by doing something similar.
The guiding principles would be:
1. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
2. Do what you can for our environment.
3. 1 & 2 are good enough.
Now we just need a cool name.
