I thought that it may be beneficial to all to have a list of idea's on how to build better community relations. When it comes right down to it your community is your only source of support in a catastrophic survival situation. Not all of us, infact few of us, are social butterflies. The fact that most are survivalists/hunters/soldiers means we ain't too dainty. So, sitting around gabbing isn't our strong point.

Please list any ideas that you may have of how to better build community relations. These could be anything from wild game dinners to sponsoring or organizing charities/community gathering/festivals.

As a veterinarian I spend a lot of time interacting with the people and, needless to say, people love their pets. I work out of my home and for the most part do work with farmers and ranchers in my area. This allows me to speak with them on various subjects and from time to time we get to politics. We almost always find out we have a lot in common and with a little digging I wouldn't be shocked to find out they are very interested in getting involved in creation of militias to defend their property from big businesses and the expansionist suburban plight.

It is just a matter of finding a weak point (in my case, animals) and using it to get inside their world, not to pry, but to explore the possibilities and simply get the idea in their head. They seem to think that militias are different, when in reality we are just as hardworking, concerned and, to be frank, blue collar, as the rest of America.

Small connections can yield big rewards.

So you're a veterinarian? How good are you working on people?

Never had to do anything like that. I could do it in a pinch.

Though my son is going to become an EMT, he will be far more useful than myself both in a firefight and in a medical situation.

You, sir, are something else. Always thinking, lol! Seriously, MirabeauCalls, can you treat humans if you had to? Especially for GSWs or traumatic injuries?

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but that is a very interesting question.

As to the original post, maybe a low-key neighborhood watch might be a good thing for some folks. I am guilty of not knowing a lot of my neighbors.

BACK TO THE TASK AT HAND GENTLEMEN!

I think we need to start getting more connections with suburban hunters and the like, I know several in my area who would eagerly enlist in local militias... the issue is weeding out the jumpy, the sheep and the blind followers. We need thinkers when the SHTF, we need people on our side but not so much as to stifle all creative thought. We must bring people in slowly, we need teachers, not angry gun toting indoctrinators. And we must explain to the populace that we feel for them and do not simply want them as a meatshield, but as a human and patriot.

@ Tahawus & SGT
I could do GSW with some reviews on human anatomy, how much different could it be from sewing up buckshot wounds or .22 holes in dogs, cows or cats? (People are sick)