A Community Assembly (joining people together)
A community assembly network connects us and makes us stronger

Community Assemblies provide the means for people to come together in their communities to support each other and create a foundation for helping local people, providing local services and sharing knowledge in their own community and with other Community Assemblies across the British Isles.
What is a Community Assembly?
What is the purpose of a Community Assembly?
The meaning and purpose behind each Community Assembly is defined by its own members based on priorities and circumstances unique to their own particular area. There are no preconceived templates or standard ways of doing things which is why sharing is so important. It means we can learn from each other, stop 'reinventing the wheel' and pass on information that might be helpful to others.
What is involved in setting up a Community Assembly?
Each Community Assembly does things in their own way. This might involve meeting up to progress ideas, talking to people in the community about possibilities and building a communication network. Some of our Community Assembly members are well established with hundreds of members; some have started with one member joining CABI before going out to find fellow Founding Facilitators who will work with them to set up their own assembly.
Anyone can join CABI, and in all cases, our website has proved to be invaluable for people to find out what is involved and in encouraging others to join us.
Who are Founding Facilitators and Special Advisors?
What are the benefits of joining CABI?
'To establish a cooperative network of services and flow of knowledge for self-sufficient Community Assemblies and Community Assembly Hubs across the British Isles in support of their local and wider communities.'
Richard 'Major' Rowe, Member of the Community Assembly of the British Isles
1) Joining forces
Joining CABI in this way serves to make our network stronger and provides a life-line for anyone living on their own or for those who are not connected to a Community Assembly in their local area.
2) Access to knowledge
The CABI website has been designed as a central resource for well-researched and member-approved knowledge around the different aspects of running a Community Assembly. We are always open to questions and suggestions for improvement and the various services we are in the process of building have been designed specifically to benefit our members and their local communities.
3) Communicating with each other
There are 3 types of CABI membership - one for Community Assemblies in the British Isles (Founding Facilitators and Special Advisors), one for individual members who may or may not be part of a Community Assembly and one for National Groups whereby the group's leader becomes a member of CABI.
Individual members receive a 'boots on the ground' updates and information from Community Assembly Facilitator, Community Peace Constable and Community Health Initiative member (MCHI), John Gilbert, every two weeks and when required.
Founding Factilitators and Special Advisors receive an additional update from John every two weeks with key information regarding the wider picture of events here and overseas, specific information relating to forming and growing a Community Assembly and answers to specific queries. Being able to reach out to John at any time is invaluable for independent support and for help in addressing situations and issues as they arise.
4) Reaching out for help
A central purpose for CABI is to provide a point of contact for those in need of support which is particularly important for anyone without their own Community Assembly. It is wonderful to see more members stepping forward to work with John in terms of talking to people, addressing specific lawful issues and on the healing side of things.
The best way to get started
I hope this post has helped to clarify the meaning and purpose of CABI, especially in the sense that we are here only to connect Community Assemblies and community members as part of a growing network of like-minded people. This enables us to provide helpful information, knowledge and essential services on a member-led basis taking into account the available time and resources of our small voluntary team.
The more consistent we are, the more credible we are and the stronger we become. We are here for the duration and beyond so the only thing left to say is: over to you!
Sue Cartwright AInstAM
Community Assembly of the British Isles
Editor
Further Reading
The Problem With Leadership - Sue Cartwright
A Community Perspective - Sue Cartwright
A Community Assembly - Sue Cartwright
A Meeting of Minds in Norfolk - Sue Cartwright
The Wisdom of Wolves - Elli H Radinger
Sowing the Seeds of Freedom (Oneness v The 1% by Vandana Shiva) - Anita Narayan

About Sue
Sue is Founding Facilitator of the Community Assembly of Devon, and editor/designer of the Community Assembly of the British Isles website and blog.
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