Announcing #MEAction groups

We are thrilled to formally announce a new feature we’ve had running in the background these last few months: #MEAction groups.
As many of you know, Beth and I have been deeply inspired by the legacy of ACT UP and its grassroots ethos. Decisions were made democratically but decisively in large group meetings, but the work was done mainly within a number of committees and affinity groups. These allowed members to take action in small groups – groups dedicated to a particular issue or need, or simply groups of friends.
Groups are how we envision #MEAction’s activists will meet one another, collaborate and work. They can be organized around location or theme. They become particularly powerful as collaboration tools when combined with events, petitions, Google Hangouts and Google Docs. (See also our tips for getting the most out of groups.)
We’ve also started a few social support groups (and hope you’ll come up with ideas for more!)
 

Launch a new group

Anyone can start a group. Simply choose the right group collection (issue and working groups, local or social) and click “start a group.”
Anyone can apply to become an organizer of an existing group. We have many new #MEAction-created groups and are looking for folks to take the lead and co-organize them.
 

Join an existing group

Here are a few groups we are especially excited about:
MEpedia – We are joining together to start an ambitious wiki to aggregate all the scientific, historic and political knowledge of this community. We are in the early days of laying out our editorial policies and building a foundation of articles.
#MEAction Europe – activists from France, Norway, Belgium, Germany and elsewhere are joining together to learn about the state of advocacy, research, and healthcare in different countries, and learn from one another (see all European groups)
#MEAction translators – are busy translating content from #MEAction and around the web into over a half dozen languages.
#MEAction Authors Group – for anyone interested in writing articles for #MEAction. We are looking for contributors from all around the world, writing in any language. Whether you can contribute on a regular basis or every once in awhile come and help us brainstorm blogposts and more in-depth case studies.
Media Working Group – We’re building a database of patient, medical and scientific expert commentators to help improve the quality of ME journalism around the world. Along with fact sheets and strategies to build a more balanced narrative.
#MEAction Canada – activists are brainstorming a letter and a petition for Canadian research funding.
Groups for healthy allies: Health Ally Group, Caretaker Action Group, Caretaker Support Group
Groups for US activism: US Strategic Planning Group and groups for the NIH, CDC, FDA, Congress.
 
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