Groundswell Local Gatherings

By Amy Starecheski

Groundswell is building our network by organizing local gatherings around the US to bring together folks who do oral history for social justice work at potlucks, skillshares, listening parties and public events.

On July 18, Groundswell hosted our first two local gatherings. Both New York City and the Bay Area opted for informal mid-summer potlucks – one in an Oakland backyard, and another in the sweltering evening fun of Washington Square Park. Each had about twenty participants, including those already active in the Groundswell network and a bunch of new faces. We talked project planning, archiving, freelancing and movement-building over great food.

Local gatherings are coming up in New Orleans, Southern Vermont, Seattle, Chicago, and Philadelphia – stay tuned for announcements on the Groundswell listserv and Facebook page, and contact amy.starecheski@gmail.com if you want to get involved in organizing local gatherings.