How to get the publicity and support for a men’s movement
I noticed that the UK is doing quite well with a men’s movement and I think this group is making it’s voice heard.
Anyhow, while reading the relevant information on the Auckland City Council website I came across the pages for event organising and noticed that they will direct you and assist you with what you need to do and provide their expertise and experience.
One thing I have noticed in the community is the desire to get men’s issues out in the open and sometimes I think there are a few egos in the political scene wanting to receive some sort of credit for it.
The men’s movement has many worthwhile trusts with great reputations so I wondered whether it may be a good idea to get things up and going in different areas of New Zealand. This is a terrific area for women to support men. Maybe fund-raising and smaller social events in clubs/community venues with speakers would be the go but with men’s issues; one cannot actually surmise whether it will take off madly or slowly reach it’s goals.
There is just so much of a need for it. And so many groups and individuals who want to see it up and going.
Anyhow, how about some ideas? Do you think organising nights to mingle is a good start or do you think a ??????. What do you think?
Some of the greatest minds are in the men’s movement already and there would be an abundance of male creativity out there to tap into to. There are also individuals/groups who organise events for a % of the funding as a fee. All major groups do this from women’s refuges to the Blind to Breast Cancer to raising money for animal shelters.
Think of it this way? If money wasn’t an issue, what would you like to organise?
PS. Auctioning sperm is off the cards and so is taking over Parliament!!
I think this is a wonderful idea, I know there are lots of coalitions and unions, but from my perspecvtive they all seem to operate individually. An natioanl body made up of representatives of all the various regional men’s groups could be a powerful voice. What we need is a true national voice, rather than working in isolation.
Gerry.
Comment by Gerry — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 10:42 am
Father’s groups have been infiltrated by government spies, they are easy to spot though, they will be already public sector workers, much richer than a normal separated Dad and with a large house, they will be strangely well in with the law and even the local women’s groups, they have been chosen because they are natural managers and will dominate proceedings. They will help Dads but they are spies, paid by the government !
Comment by Perseus — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 11:51 am
Father’s groups have been infiltrated by government spies, they are easy to spot though, they will be already public sector workers, much richer than a normal separated Dad and with a large house, they will be strangely well in with the law and even the local women’s groups, they have been chosen because they are natural managers and will dominate proceedings. They will help Dads but they are spies, paid by the government !
Comment by GiveAManABreak — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 11:52 am
Paranoia is alive and well
What mens groups are you active in Perseus? GiveAManABreak?
Which individuals do you so accuse?
Apart from Jim Bailey, who do you accuse of being unable to work together?
Names please.
Comment by John Brett — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 11:59 am
– Once warned, twice banished?
Kind Regards
Paul Catton
East Auckland Refuge for Men and Families
09 271 3020
Comment by Paul Catton — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 12:12 pm
John B, I am with Paul on this. Jim is a wonderful man with an amazing heart and Benjamin is one of the smartest men I have met and honest.
I sincerely do not think you should be throwing stones. I think we should all get away from that and look away from ourselves as individuals and care as a group of very capable people.
Reason for editing: I just want to say that I don’t often agree with Benjamin and Jim but that doesn’t mean I agree I am right on issues either. This is just a community move.
Comment by julie — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Ah, but in saying the above comment I do need to stress for the sake of the men’s movement that many have a reputation including myself and that it is the fear of unpredictability and control behaviour that worries the outside community groups.
Comment by julie — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 2:20 pm
I just had to comeback and laugh about my above comment.
Some of the community groups are worried about the Men’s movement and yet at the same time the Men’s movement is worried about the community.
Sorry, but John B, I did enjoy half of your comment. You are so right.
This is practically an invisible wall. All it needs is good presentation. But you all know that. lol You’ve known it for ages, I bet.
Comment by julie — Sat 11th October 2008 @ 9:20 pm
Yes, it is definitely true that there are people in the movement whose egos are harmful. Unfortunately, this is a typical with any political movement.
However, I would question the extent of infiltration by government spies. Certainly, it has happened on some of the main email groups, and we have caught the same senior manager from CYPFs not once but TWICE trying to infiltrate a list. What was incredible was the sheer incompetence of his attempts, but I digress.
Such infiltration is far less likely though in actual groups that meet in person, where it is impossible to hide behind a fake online ID, and after nearly 20 years with the movement I cannot accept for one moment that such groups have been infiltrated by government spies. However, I have heard people being accused of being spies for such simple things as being openly involved with the labour party!
Sorry, but real spies would not admit to that!
As for suspicion over cooperation with government agencies, real change is brought about by effectively lobbying to change the thinking of those who have the power to change things rather than senseless jumping up and down.
Comment by Darryl Ward — Sun 12th October 2008 @ 11:49 am
Maybe we should start publicising examples of where opponents to the movement have used this site against us or have been monitoring it in order to harm individual cases. I am sure the media would like to promote this sort of “big brother” story. A story in the “Sunday Star Times” would have them running for cover.
Comment by Gerry — Sun 26th October 2008 @ 4:06 pm