take survivalist out of the description is your first step

Did you miss the name of this forum??

I am not running an ad in the newspaper!

 

All I can say is good luck. It is not impossible but not very easy. The best results I have seen are from families starting it up and getting like minded friends to join in since there is a trust factor there already then those friends can include in some of their family members.

Wes

 

Problem with groups is that egos always start getting involved and different opinions lead to larger power struggles. The only answer is not to look for a group but to start your own.

 

I hear so much about if TSHF and to have a place to escape to. For the long haul, We all cant bug out to a state, national park or with a friend in another city. We have to survive in our home town. We all have live life and form small groups/communities. During Ike, Houston had a curfew (Police State) call it what you want… If things became bad for whatever reason, we would see more of that. Lots more! We would suddenly have more “gated communities” and as a community/sub-divisions, we would hire security guard or even off duty police to protect our homes and belongings. Our guns will be taken away from us! Even the town home complex where I live, we have a gate guard. During Ike, we had a guard around the clock.

I would rather not live in a bunker and have to protect myself 24/7. I love all my friends. It’s important that friends and neighbors stick together during disasters. As survivalist, we have to help our neighbors prepare without them thinking that we are crazy. Several have noticed my solar panel in my window and are "interested" in getting one for themselves. If they have supplies, they won’t need ours. Or we can all share/barter.

If things go like I expect, we should have a weekly play dates with other families with children my daughters age. They don't have to be survivalist.

I had a meet-up with another board member and I almost thought I was cheating on my wife. I now have a new friend from this board. it can happen.

 

Good Luck there son. And dont forget us old farts,we can still bring a lot to a group. Try offering an NEPG-Neighborhood Emergency Preparaness Group- to those you meet. It might bring in those people turned off by the word "survivalist" who see it as a little extreme, and presents a more friendly public face

 

I am already in the country....there is no neighborhood. The closest town is 8 miles away. The closest city is 45 miles away. That is part of the problem. I also do not go to a typical work setting since I work from home, so no one to meet there. Anytime I need to go anywhere, it is still out in the country. Everyone I know is older than 70 (except my parents who are over 60) and have difficulty getting around. I am under 40. A few of these older people are good friends, ex-military and police as well, but not MAG material by their own admission.

Other than the internet, it is difficult for me to create a MAG, from the lack of humanity that exists in my general area. I spent so many years traveling, that I never in one place long enough to make long lasting friends. There are a few, but they all live several thousand miles away (most in other countries.)

Like I said, survivalists are introverts, even on a survivalist forum!

 

wish I was in Texas!
Good luck.

 

Living out in the country has its ups and downs. I think I am somewhat of an introvert. Living in the country would be a real challenge for me. Luckily, my career puts me in close contact with many other people on a small personal scale. A very unusual career for an introvert. hmmmm, Maybe I am not an introvert anymore. I'll ponder that for a while! I am just a city survivalist.

 

Arrgh

I have a small group. It is like herding Cats. Since I have "the place", I'm kinda the "Top Cat". We could use a few more people, but finding ones with their act together is next to impossible. We just kinda "stumble" on them. I had enough trouble with my current cohorts. I had to start from scratch with them, and have finally gotten them up to speed (sorta). I do not want to go through that again.

 

SMM123, I feel for you, bud. I hate to say it but in the few months or so I have been active on these forums I have noticed that paranoia runs pretty deep in a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for being alert to my environment, aware of the state of the union and don't trust the MSM to delivery any "real" news but I also believe that you can go to far the OTHER way. I think a lot of people are just very cautious and private and not so interested in meeting up with internet "strangers.

 

The group to which I belong came about through various internet forums. I must say, that my group has become rather tight in a few short months. If I had to give a reason for our family-like relationship, I'd say it's because we all tend to see politics through the same lense. A few members of my group, including myself, recently had the opportunity to spend the weekend with members of several other survival groups. There were some groups that we just clicked with and there were others that actually made us uncomfortable with their views on a few things.

We discussed this discomfort and decided that survival trumped political views. If TS really HTF, we would rather have these people on our side even though we had some major political differences.

Just some food for thought.

 

At one time I tried to set up a group in south GA, but then I was labeled a nut case and people backed off from me big time. I do not even mention my preps or anything now. I would like it to have some like minded around now , too.

 

Errgh, yes your right man. And no. Many of us are freaks. I say that with loving truth, honesty, acceptance, and as little judgment as possible. Actually I take that back. A few of us are like bad cops. They stand out the most. They hold signs that say "the end is near" and dress in tattered clothing, and smell of pot. So yeah, people can be stereotypes.

I am weird, but I accept them. They are leagues saner then sheep.

However Most of us are quite bloody awesome. Most of us are extremely generous, social, loving, diversified, accepting, warm, sane people who dress and smell nice.

Your in Texas right? Go to http://www.meetup.com/

Look up survivalists, or "home steaders".

Now don't expect people to love you, and run to you offering medical and financial aid. Assume that maybe your the problem. I don't say that as an insult. If you want Mutual aid, then you have to have something to offer. It could be friendship, it could be training, but if they don't value you, then it doesn't matter.

In OUR group, here in NC, we already have probably every type of person we need. However we are not a clic. Anyone is free to join up. However, in life we have all met that socially retarded guy who just never could understand why people didn't like to be around him. The guy who didn't bath, was insulting (which he thought was witty) or a braggart or bully.

If you want a group, and a meet up isn't in your area, then set one up. Our leader did, and its has exploded into a moderate sized group. Filled with every spectrum of people. We have elderly naturalist type people, hippies, Rambo's, Diversers (my type), Doctors, worried mothers, paranoid seekers, and even fire arm and safety instructors.

The key is acceptance and respect. Even if your a leader. No one owes you nor me a damn thing. But as your relationship builds, so will your trust. Don't go in expecting to get a list of cell phone numbers. Just have fun and let it grow naturally.

 

I think the problem is things haven't really hit the fan yet, when they do you'll have more wannabe survivalist wanting to join your group than you can shoot.

"The internet has made dating an easier task for Generation X and Y as well as some baby boomers" smm123

I find that amusing, I don't think you've ever tried internet dating, basically imo most sites have 2 or 3 times more men than women because like 2/3eds of them are already married or in a relationship and lie about everything and send out mass emails daily to the women who probably half of which are waiting for the "rich" guy to leave their wife and take care of them or just prostitute themselves out, most of the other half are convinced that all guys are jerk liars given the volume of douchebags who frequent those sites spamming sex messages. It's not even worth the time imo....I think in fact the opposite is true of today, people are more isolated by technology.

 

I think the problem is things haven't really hit the fan yet, when they do you'll have more wannabe survivalist wanting to join your group than you can shoot.

At that point it is probably too late.

"Hey, I'm a survivalist! Now that the SHTF, it would be good to be in a MAG," he says. "Well, if you were a true survivalist, you would have taken care of that before the SHTF," I respond.

"The internet has made dating an easier task for Generation X and Y as well as some baby boomers" smm123

I find that amusing, I don't think you've ever tried internet dating, basically imo most sites have 2 or 3 times more men than women because like 2/3eds of them are already married or in a relationship and lie about everything and send out mass emails daily to the women who probably half of which are waiting for the "rich" guy to leave their wife and take care of them or just prostitute themselves out, most of the other half are convinced that all guys are jerk liars given the volume of douchebags who frequent those sites spamming sex messages. It's not even worth the time imo....I think in fact the opposite is true of today, people are more isolated by technology.

I (Generation X) met my beautiful, totally awesome, amazingly smart, prepping wife online at Match.com. Yeah, you could say it was a fluke, but then my dad (Baby Boomer) met his wife on Match.com as well. Go figure. Maybe I do have some internet dating experience after all. However, you are right about your findings for internet dating. You just have to search through the chaff to get to the gems - they are out there. Yeah, I had some ratty dates, and I had quite a few good ones with some really nice women, we just were not meant for each other. It took a while, but it was worth it. I think creating a MAG is the same way, just like Crutch says.

For those of you who don't know how to date online - DON'T EVER LIE or EMBELLISH in your personal ad, and use a recent photograph.

 

I am to ugly to get a date with only a picture.

No sir I prefer to be rejected face to face.

 

If i was in texas id be all about it! but thats a long way to bug out. If Texas secedes ill need a place to go when i move there. so if your still offering then im game. Seriously.

 

How about medical skills? Skills with animal husbandry? Patriotism isn't a shareable 'skill', it's a mindset. I would remove it if I were making a list; I'd weed out people after meeting/talking with them.

As for 'guns'...do you want people into target shooting, or hunting, or defense? Put down the skill, not the tool.

'Home schooling' post-SHTF is kind of silly on a list for a community; everyone would have to be a teacher, and it would be ridiculous for a community to tie up half of its able-bodied adults instructing children on a regular and individual basis. That's one task that should be shared among all adults.

 

How about medical skills? Skills with animal husbandry? Patriotism isn't a shareable 'skill', it's a mindset. I would remove it if I were making a list; I'd weed out people after meeting/talking with them.

Medical is #14 on the list. Husbandry? I live in Texas, that is called Ranchin' 'round these parts which was #5 on the list. Survivalism and Preparedness are mindsets - you are right, Patriotism is a mindset, but a requirement in my book. I know plenty of survivalists that are not Patriots, and they are not the sorts that I tend to hang with, therefore it is on the list.

As for 'guns'...do you want people into target shooting, or hunting, or defense? Put down the skill, not the tool.

Again, I am in Texas so "guns" is an all encompassing word around here, just like "Coke." We don't call it "Soda" or "Pop" or by the brand name we like to drink, it is all "Coke." A Friend knows that when I say, "Grab me a Coke," that I mean grab me a Pepsi. When we say guns, that means all skills and gun types. Why have one when you can have them all?

'Home schooling' post-SHTF is kind of silly on a list for a community; everyone would have to be a teacher, and it would be ridiculous for a community to tie up half of its able-bodied adults instructing children on a regular and individual basis. That's one task that should be shared among all adults.

Silly to you maybe, but I still want educated kids. If we have a bunch of members that are not capable of being (or refuse to be) teachers of our children in a long term event, then it kind of defeats the purpose of having a MAG with children in it. Who said anything about tying up "half of its able-bodied adults" or "individual" basis? I know I didn't. Again, it is listed for a reason so that all who may be interested understand its importance and that it would be "shared among all adults." Also, those who know about home schooling know that it takes 3 hours or less in most instances to school. They also know that the older kids typically assist the younger kids and that only light adult supervision is required during "school," and would become a MAG chore just like gardening, ranching, watch standing, or patrolling.

I wrote my ad in Texan speak, as I am trying to appeal to Texans. I cannot physically train and prep with folks in far off places, which is why I gave a specific area of interest.

 

Some of my buddys got worried around Y2K then nothing happened. Then some were freaked out on 9/11, then that slowly died down. Nowadays with Feds taking over everything and the economy going in the crapper some of my friends are becoming more interested in my "preparedness" lifestyle.

I've also spoke with some good folks at our local gun range who seem to share some of my views and concerns. I dont know if I would ever advertise starting a group because of the attention you may get from undesirables.

 

I dont know if I would ever advertise starting a group because of the attention you may get from undesirables.

Like I said, it is like internet dating - I got far more undesirables than gems. I had to vet them all, and finally found what I was looking for. The same goes for setting up a MAG. Just because someone wants in does not mean that I am going to let them in.

Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. - H. JACKSON BROWNE

 

I hate to say this... because its probably not true. Saying it may potentially do more harm then good. So when I say this. Keep also this in mind. Those who smelt it, dealt it. Don't call someone something, unless your dern sure they are...

In any Paramilitary (which even the most peaceful, unarmed survival groups are considered) group of 25 members or more probably will have an agent visit them and infiltrate them at some point. He will gather information, and probably never come back.

This is useless to say for two reasons. He wont do anything that will stand out. We don't have time to worry about them. They are so over rated, its sad. The FBI have to call in Police and even National guard to help them. They aren't Skully and Mulder from the X files. They are people that work for the Government, so you know they have to be at least half retarded.

Just don't break any laws. They will try and trap you. If they do, remember that trust starts with Integrity. When they asked Randy Weaver to break the law, they had no intention of just letting him go. He would either be a patsy or a victim. Instead he became a patriot.

So form your group, net work your people, and once your group has grown, keep your circle of trust with in reasons. Don't go making Silencers for the Charismatic nice guy, you have known 6 months. Don't give Cannon fuse for fireworks, when he has eluded to using it for bombs.

 

I hate to say this... because its probably not true. Saying it may potentially do more harm then good. So when I say this. Keep also this in mind. Those who smelt it, dealt it. Don't call someone something, unless your dern sure they are...

In any Paramilitary (which even the most peaceful, unarmed survival groups are considered) group of 25 members or more probably will have an agent visit them and infiltrate them at some point. He will gather information, and probably never come back.

This is useless to say for two reasons. He wont do anything that will stand out. We don't have time to worry about them. They are so over rated, its sad. The FBI have to call in Police and even National guard to help them.

Just don't break any laws. They will try and trap you. If they do, remember that trust starts with Integrity. When they asked Randy Weaver to break the law, they had no intention of just letting him go. He would either be a patsy or a victim. Instead he became a patriot.

Agreed. I think there are way too many people worried about being infiltrated by a three letter agency. The only reason to worry is if you are doing illegal things. Personally, I served in the military (surveillance and comms) and have been in LE operations. I have nothing to hide from trusted, well intentioned members, even if they are "spies."

But that is just me.

 

SMM123

You really nailed the problem. We are all basically a bunch of paranoid loners. While I would love to find like-minded prepers in my area, I don't see myself responding to an appeal such as yours; I'm just too paranoid.

I spent my time at the local tea party networking - making sure that people whom I know and respect aware that I have patriotic leanings and a willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause.

At this point I'm not sure if I want to find a mutual support group, or if I want a MS group to find me.

elgin (not my real name):

 

Nigle (I am sure that is your real name),

The problem with most of the groups meeting publicly, like the tea parties and such, is that 99% of the participants are political activists, most of which only became such recently. The tiny percentage who are there that are into preparedness are stone cold silent about it.

I have yet to talk to a single tea party attender who doesn't glaze over when it comes to real preparedness. They all seem to think that owning some guns and bullets is all they will need, and cannot foresee the actual long term ramifications of a financial collapse - the need to store food, medicine, water, or to have a rounded skill set. Politically active sheeple with guns is what they are.

Again, I am not sure that I understand the paranoia. I mean, I understand why you do not want to bring a stranger into your home and start talking about your stuff. OpSec is always an issue to be adhered to.

Like minded preppers can start meeting each other in public places to talk about and practice food prep and storage, meet at the range and practice shooting, meet at the fire station for CPR and first aid classes, etc. until they get more comfortable with each other. Again, it is just like dating, except more secretive.

SMM123 (that is my real name)

 

I by far would probably be the least paranoid in my group. Or at least the person with the least caution.

I feel like, if the Fed's planned on taking us out, they wouldn't really have to have a real crime committed to do it. Its like they are the gestapo, only frail nerdy, cowards who feel the need to tattle tale.

I guess you guys can tell, I am sick of the Feds. They are useless, and serve no purpose to America. If you looked hard enough, I am sure I am breaking the law somewhere. However, it should be illegal for them to "look". As the police say, if you follow someone long enough, you will find a reason to pull them. So just ignore them. Seeing the track record of our Federal Gov. Thus far, they are more likely to accidentally leave there own pistol at your house, then find a crime that will stick in court.

I prefer meeting at first in Public places for meetups. They allow you all to get to know each other on equal ground. However, it should eventually progress to private meetups. You don't want to be at a Library talking about AR15 variants. Nor at a bar talking about political issues.

The private meetups are awesome. If you get to know the people, you literally can talk about anything. Keep it respectful. Don't insult someones beliefs or raise your voice. If someone has a religious belief or political that is contrary to yours, accept it. No one has ever changed his or her mind, by being yelled at. Respect is key.

 

Like I stated in the OP, the desire to create a small group of like-minded preppers is for long-term survivability in the event of a societal/economic collapse, regardless of the cause. As much as I like to think that I could do it by myself, I know that that is an impossible and unrealistic belief. Without help, there is just no way to provide for complete security, sleep, food gathering and preparation, and body maintenance on a long-term basis, even with a typical family. It would be too easy for us to get snuck up on or overrun by a larger force once sleep depravation and physical health stated to wane.

The old saying goes: Two heads are better than one. Well 12 are better than 2 in this case.

The front side advantages of preparing a team in advance are combined purchasing power to get the supplies and equipment at better prices for everyone like COOPs do. You also have the advantage of knowing your team, their strengths and weaknesses, through training together and can adjust accordingly. The military, police, EMS do not send out untrained people, nor do they put several untrained people with one trained person in the field.

Trying to create a cohesive and well prepared group after the fact would be unreliable and potentially dangerous. Without knowing how the others operate, their strengths and weaknesses, or their ability to handle stress, you could be inviting disaster for all.

I will still keep trying to find like minded people (in my area) who want to be prepared before, not after a tragedy strikes.

 

I feel your pain. I am slowly trying to find or start a group in DFW. I am going to be buying some land a little north east of here soon. I am looking to get closer to the red river and Oklahoma.

Trust is the big factor. Honesty and honor are the next big ones. IMO unless you have known someone for a few years, it is hard to confide in them with the things we need to talk about. That makes it difficult. Good luck to you.

 

SMM123 I totally agree with you and think that a MAG is really the only way for long term survival if and when society totally fails.

I would like to find a similar group where I am but I have no idea how to go about finding one. The Tea party in my area was ok but as you said no one I talked to was interested in prepping or at least would not admit to it.

I live in suburban St Louis anyone here who is interested in a MAG for the greater St Louis area please PM me. I am really not interested in being the founder/leader of a MAG, however I am interested enough in joining one that I would if I had to.

 

www.meetup.com

Start a Survivalist group page. They will come. Ours has exploded in memberships. I bet your area already has one, you just have to find it.

 

Crutch,

I took your advice and made one myself. We will see what happens: http://www.meetup.com/Rural-Preparedness-Mutual-Assistance-Group/

 

As a leader you will have a responcibility to your group. I might have forgot to mention that.

The highest form of servitude is leadership. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

My point is that if you are to be a good leader, worthy of loyalty, you will find your putting more in then getting out. Do it because you believe in what your doing, not because you will ever be thanked or rewarded.

In talking with you the little we have, I can tell your probably going to be a great one. Get those people ready, get them on a schedule, and hold a meet up at least once every two weeks. You will have to spend some money, but in the end, you will be better off.