Letter to Our community –
2023 has been an exciting year for VASEN. There is a lot to be grateful for as we continue to build our individual consciousness, create connections across geographies, cultures, and issues, seed ideas, build enabling infrastructure, and make sure we are continually finding ways to meet material needs. All of which is focused on building an economy that is centered in care, mutual aid, and solidarity.
Here are a few highlights:
Care and Coop Learn-ins – In late 22 and early 23 we hosted two very influential gatherings around coops and care economies. These brought together work taking place around the state and inspired a host of conversations. So much so that we barely could keep up with all the energy that they created.
Internal Work – The learn-ins made us realize that we have some internal work to do. Do we get fiscally sponsored? Do we want to become a 501c3? What do we value about the work we are doing as a collective of organizers? These are questions we are still trying to answer. One thing that we are contending with is the desire to resource our movement, but also not being beholden to the legalities of state systems. We are a collective, non hierarchical network at our core.
Nodes of activity – What did come forward are some really unique nodes of activity. The SW VA Care Collective has been meeting for several months and a group in Richmond is working on a Coop Development Center. VASEN realized that we don’t need to be leading efforts. More how to best be in support of these and other efforts. We are more of a movement support network than anything else.
Resist and Build – In October over 60 national and 30 local alternative economy/post-capitalist organizers met in Richmond. VASEN played a major role in organizing the event and it allowed us to build connections to others around the US and in Virginia. We learned about community production, state based networks, and aligned our movements around larger strategies.
Oral History – Recently we began working with Solidarity History to initiate an oral history of our work. This we hope will help to tell and link our story to others working to create an economy based in liberation and care.
Reunion – In November, we came back together to debrief on Resist and Build, but also begin to make plans for 2024. We took the time to listen and share. Lot came forward.
So what is next?
Travel – One of the first things we heard from everyone is that we need to be with each other and directly experience the work we each are doing. Plus, there is interest from a few people to visit the Industrial Commons in NC. So, we applied to the New Economy Coalition for a Regional Organizing Grant. We are now waiting to hear back from them, which should happen in early 2024.
Learn-ins – Next we want to continue to find ways to bring the wealth of activity going on in Virginia in relationship to each other. We are going to host quarterly learn-ins that will do just that. Subjects up for consideration are Mutual Aid now, Federal Funding, Taking Coops to a New Level, The Impact of Inflation, and Circle Back to the Care Economy. If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them by adding to the List Serve.
Book Club – We are going to restart our book club as a space of collective education. We are hoping to read 2-3 books throughout the year with monthly gatherings. We are looking at titles like – Braiding Sweetgrass, Money for Beginners, Jackson Rising Redux, Economics for Emancipation, Every Cook Can Govern, and others. Again, let us know if you have any suggestions.
Network Calls – We are going to organize quarterly network calls that focus on developing a circle of care for our movements. We will do regular Offers and Needs Markets, create moments for us to share our work and get support, and further explore ways to be in solidarity.
Incubator – VASEN is working on starting a Solidarity Economy Incubator. While there are a ton of education opportunities out there, we believe that a stand alone training is not enough. So, we are creating a series of workshops and mentorships that will not only give you a better understanding of the solidarity economy, but work with you to enact those ideas into your practice/life. This will be free and provide a stipend. Funds are being raised presently to support this.
Membership – Last but not least. VASEN has always been open to the curious and the committed. Based on our dedication to shared leadership and democracy, the network is defined by those who participate. This ebbs and flows. In order to make this more accessible and clear, but also to be more sustainable, we are going to do the internal work of defining what membership should provide, but also what are the expectations. All of which is focused on deepening our connections and ability to be a thriving network dedicated to change.
So much will take place in 2024. We are excited about what it means for us to do this together.
We will be publishing a full calendar with invites shortly.
In Solidarity – VASEN