“My task is not to debate whether I’m a Jew or not, but to figure out what kind of Jew I am. For me, finding a secular Jewish community with progressive politics fits my version of that identity.”
The Mutual Aid Network FAQs
Join Mutual Aid Network Listserv
Questions?
The Boston Works Circle Mutual Aid Network Listserv is an open resource that serves to connect members of our community. Mutual aid has been part of the history of our organization, born out of immigrants’ needs to support each other in their new lives in America. Decades of caring and fighting for each other have prepared us well, and the current moment of COVID 19 has inspired us to create this new way of organizing ourselves to help each other out.
Mutual Aid Network Listserv subscribers receive messages about free offers, requests, skills, and services from and to one another. As a member, you gain access to Boston Workers Circle’s community of care.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email moderator@circleboston.org.
What is a listserv?
A listserv is a method of communicating with a group of people over email. It allows members to send emails to the entire mailing list. When you send an email to bwc-collective-care@googlegroups.com it will go to all of the members on the Mutual Aid Network list. Keep in mind, when replying to an email sent through the Mutual Aid Network Listserv, please use the "Reply All" function carefully as your response will be sent to the entire listserv.
How do I join?
Click here to join, enter your email, and we’ll approve you from there!
How do I post and what can I post?
1. You have to join the listserv in order to post.
2. Follow the community guidelines listed below.
3. Send your email to bwc-collective-care@googlegroups.com.
Use this listserv to ask for or offer physical items, resources, skills, and services. Please note, when you send your email, it will go to every member of the Mutual Aid Network Listserv.
Please be considerate and respectful, follow community protocols, and use the subject line to help others easily understand what you are offering/requesting.
- If you are offering something, in the subject line of your email, write “offering____”
- If you are requesting something, in the subject line of your email, write, “seeking______”
In the body of your email, explain what you are offering or requesting, including details that will help others on the listserv know if what you are offering or requesting fits what they need or can offer.
Below are some examples. Feel free to be more friendly & wordy in your email than we are in the examples.
To respond to a request or offer, reply directly to the sender, and exchange any additional information. Please do not reply to the listserv message itself (and be careful not to reply all).
Examples of how to use the Mutual Aid Network
Examples of appropriate posts:
- Subject: Seeking a ride
Body: “Seeking a ride to a doctor’s appointment from Jamaica Plain, to Brookline, Monday June 11, 12:00 pm”
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- Subject: Seeking grocery run
Body:“Seeking someone to do a large grocery shopping run. I live in Dorchester and can email a list and pay by check on drop-off.”
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- Subject: Seeking sewing machine consult
Body: “Seeking a zoom consultation to troubleshoot my antique sewing machine.”
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- Subject: Offering newborn clothing
Body: “Offering a bag of gently used newborn clothing. Porch pick up in Jamaica Plain.”
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- Subject: Offering to grocery shop
Body: “Offering to grocery shop, planning to go Friday, May 15, can drop off in Brookline.”
NOT appropriate posts for the Mutual Aid Network Listserv:
- To invite people to a protest or to take action for a cause, because we have committees and a newsletter for that (send submissions to mjackman@circleboston.org)!
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To schmooze. Please continue using the schmooze lists (AIC, ABV, Book Group) and facebook groups (Young Adults and Shule Parents) for sending funny jokes, videos, opinions, political actions, etc.
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Unnecessary replies to the entire listserv
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How many times can I post?
We’re not setting a limit, but ask that you please be considerate and respectful of people's inboxes (once or twice a week is probably a good amount). We’ll have a few moderators of the list so that as we’re building the culture & norms of the listserv, kind & clear moderators will let you know if you’re using this tool in an unintended or inappropriate way.
Why do the emails keep going in my SPAM folder?
Please unmark the listserv email (bwc-collective-care@googlegroups.com) as SPAM and your email will stop putting emails into the spam folder.
