In response to the concerns I expressed in Purpose-Driven Community Survey Responses and the Postscript, Steve Ma replied:

Thanks so much for your interest and thoughtful comments. Speaking personally, this community will indeed have both an outside and inside strategy. It feels very much like we are building a new model that is outside the norm, but at the same time, we are working to build power so we can influence existing structures and institutions. And when I think of “systemic transformation,” I think of policies, economic systems, schools, community infrastructure, how we interact with each other as fellow humans, how we impact our environment, and more. That said, big transformations don’t happen easily which is why we want to build a model that has power and sustainable resources to make big changes a reality.

If you’re willing to lend some help, it would be great if you could fill out this very simple volunteer interest form. It will help us plug people in based on their interest and experience.

Peace,
Steve

I replied:

Hello Steve,

Great to hear. Thanks much for your comments. Though they did not surprise me, they are reassuring.

I just submitted my volunteer interest form.

I wonder, what is your structure thus far? Are you and Joshua making the key decisions as a two-person team? And what do you envision for the future? Will a new, independent organization emerge?

Keep up the great work! I look forward to contributing as best I can. I could easily participate in meetings near a BART station.

Carry on,

Wade Hudson

Following are the questions and my responses on the volunteer interest form.

What calls to you about this proposed purpose-driven community?

I desire to help transform the world into a compassionate community dedicated to the common good. To achieve that goal, I believe it would be helpful to develop new user-friendly ways for political activists to support one another in their ongoing self-development efforts.

If people take time to examine themselves and their actions honestly, they tend to tap deep feelings of love and want to treat others respectfully as full human beings, rather than reduce them to instruments. So I believe that a project rooted in “holistic politics” and “deep nonviolence” could be more effective than traditional organizing methods and contribute to what Gandhi called “evolutionary revolution.”

This transformation could be enhanced by a network of semi-autonomous small groups that share a common worldview and use the same or similar methods to conduct their activities. Sharing those experiences could nurture deep community. If those methods were simple and easy to learn, they could be rapidly replicated and spread spontaneously. As the community grew and became larger, the sense of community could deepen.

My interaction with Generation Waking Up inspires me to believe that the “purpose-driven community” could achieve those goals. For years, sensing that those ideas were widely percolating in the culture, I’ve hoped they would someday bear fruit and I would find a community of that sort to join. It seems I may have found what I was looking for.

Are there things that you are particularly interested in helping with as we build this purpose-driven community (check all that apply)?

Strategic Planning
Group facilitation
Other: help develop one or more formats, or structures, for self-governing, easily replicated groups that would facilitate political activists supporting one another in their personal-growth efforts – somewhat similar to 12-step groups.

Please list any specific skills/experience that you have that you think might be helpful as we build this purpose driven community.

Concerning experience, in 1967, I dedicated my life to “organizing communities of faith, love, and action,” which has since been my primary commitment. Over the years, I’ve worked on various issues with various communities. In 2005, I pulled back from organizing and, while working part-time as a cab driver, convened the first in a series of Strategy Workshops to evaluate how the progressive movement might be more effective. Later, I organized two Compassionate Politics Workshops and a Gandhi-King Three-Fold Path Workshop, which was co-sponsored by the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples. I also participated in workshops and events convened by organizations such as stone circles, the Center for Spiritual and Social Transformation, Generation Waking Up, and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice. I’ve also read related books and reports circulated by others (especially the Movement Strategy Center), initiated the Occupy Be the Change Caucus, and currently serve as President of the Western Park Residents’ Council. I’ve circulated a number of online questionnaires on related issues, written about my conclusions on my Wade’s Weekly blog, and self-published two books, Global Transformation: Strategy for Action and My Search for Deep Community.

Concerning skills, I’ve been told, “You bring people together.” I believe I facilitate meetings skillfully, write fairly well, enjoy research, and listen carefully. I am reliable, work hard, and enjoy life.