I've noticed that mutual aid efforts in an org often focus on directing aid outside the organization, essentially operating as a charity. Additionally, many leftist orgs are quite small and could benefit from additional membership.

I'm wondering if it might be better for a mutual aid org to focus its aid efforts internally? It is mutual aid after all. Please understand, I recognize that helping one's community is worthwhile, but an org focusing aid internally materially benefits the self-interest of its members. If one sees material benefit to joining a group surely they're more likely to join?

Am I off base here? Seems like an idea worth developing.

  • GiorgioBoymoder [none/use name]
    hexagon
    ·
    23 hours ago

    A parallel sentiment I've noticed is DSA members in labor-organizing focused spaces stating their goal is to "help labor." We are labor! We're not apart from it, we're trying to help ourselves!

    • Bureaucrat [pup/pup's, null/void]
      ·
      23 hours ago

      seriously! The whole alignment of DSA-adjacent "mutual aid" is literally just liberal charity. I've rarely participated in anything I felt was truly mutual lol.