I joined the Northern NJ Preparedness Meetup because I was interested in survival preparedness. I think that society, especially in the suburbs, socially frown on prepping and preparedness in general. Almost everyone I have met that is a prepper in New Jersey has prepared for disaster very quietly. Including myself. For me to join a preparedness group, even a loosely managed one was to expose myself as a prepper and survivalist minded individual was a reckoning in my own mind. I also wanted to reassure myself that I was not crazy, spending money on preparations in the event of a natural or man made disaster. Two other reasons I joined were to learn something and to meet other like minded people in the area. To build a network in the event something did go wrong so that we had a combined skillset to help each other out, even if we all ended up going our separate ways at some point.
The NJ Preparedness group is less than a year old, and was formed, in my opinion for people to come and share ideas, thoughts, etc. This is a good thing, because there are varied levels of prepper that show up, as it is an open forum for discussion. I am looking forward to our spring meetings with Practical Primitive, as well as the mock bug out weekend that was moved to spring. Next meeting it was suggested we discuss alternative power sources such as bio-fuels, solar, etc. This is a foray into an area we have not discussed. I think that expansion beyond some of the topics we have been engaged in would be good. I say this because I have been thinking recently about my own skill-sets again, and where I lack a LOT of experience, which also lends itself to Monday’s post on bartering.
With that, if you are considering looking for a group to get friendly with, form, join etc. do so with the consideration that no man is an island of information or can do everything by themselves. Go in skeptically, but with an open mind because you want to objectively observe others to see if your personalities, values, and goals are aligned. In less than a year I have seen more advanced preppers/survivalists come and go because the group is just not in the same place they are, and I have seen others come and go dipping their toes in the waters to see if the group might be for them. Some of the toe dippers, I was hoping would stay. They had skill-sets that made sense for the group. I was hoping to learn from some of them, but understand if the group was not for them.
So, knowing that I have seen people come and go from the group, it is my theory that building a group that you can trust, contribute to, etc. will not be easy. Everyone’s comfort level is their own, and you cannot convince someone to do something they do not want to if they feel you are too junior, they do not trust you, or they don’t feel your goals are aligned. And, if any of the mentioned criteria are the reasons, don’t be upset. As you progress and become more established with your group, skill-sets, etc. you may choose not to be part of a lesser established or experienced prepper group as well. Although, I think there is merit in sharing what you know if they are not going to take advantage of your knowledge.
Here are a couple more resources for you to peruse on the possibility of building or looking for your own survivalist/prepper group:
- http://www.ssrsi.org/Onsite/ConArt/megnewgroup.htm
- http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/this-n-that/survival-groups/
- http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/survival-group/
I think sites like yours help too. Its very informal, and people of all levels can chime in with ideas. I’m not much of a joiner personally, but I also realize I have a lot to learn.
Is this a repost? You had something posted a couple of months ago very similar.
While there is some truth to safety in numbers, I think there are too many more risks that can’t be overlooked. Not the least of which (as I had said in the other post) being part of a formal group you know little about (as oppose to you forming a group with people/family you do know) makes you a target for LEO’s, especially DHS these days. Even if you have honest intentions more and more DHS and others are watching formal groups as potential threats. Even if you’re group isn’t when/if the SHTF the authorities aren’t going to make distinctions.
I think in the end you have to go with your gut feelings and mine are to remain on my own for now.
Yeah, I realized after I posted it that I did something a few months ago. Call it recycled. It was on my brain again, since I am talking with the Meetup group I am part of about a few items… I also agree for going with your gut. Your gut is your sixth sense, and if you don’t listen to it, you could be in a little trouble…
2011 and beyond is your time to become self-reliant.
With the end of 2010, our introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement, questioning and planning for what lies ahead. I believe this time in history promises to bring forth more changes than any other similar duration of time known to our civilization. The foundations of our economies, governments and belief systems will be altered and after considerable turmoil, we will see a maturing of mankind. Fundamental, systemic concerns for why undertaking this life change will not be a fly-by-night fad, but rather a long-lasting means for personal independence. I will be listing the top ten reasons to Become Self-Sufficient NOW rather than late. Over the course of the next 10 weeks, you will learn what you can do to become SELF-Sufficient. It is time to make a plan and take action.
Reason Number One:
Hedging against inflation — Have you noticed the price of food and goods lately? People might have a choice whether or not to buy gold, silver or stocks, but people have to eat. The current increases in basic goods will not ease anytime soon. It is time to make a plan and take action.
What can you do? What are others doing?
I believe more people will learn to grow their own food. We will see an explosion in the number of people growing their own food due to disruptions in the global food supply, food costs rising/inflation, contamination of our crops and land and the FDA crackdown on small farmers.
People will realize the importance of having their own source of food. We will see a surge in seed sales, backyard gardens, solar powered ovens, food storage and in-home production methods.
We will see, downsizing to a more simplistic, back to basics life, as many people will be choosing to move out our mega- cities and seek self-reliance in more rural areas. Action step: Plan for a garden or other food methods. Buy seeds and food storage NOW.
For more about product and food news, go to http://survivalist-hub.blogspot.com/
http://www.gearupcenter.com