We’re happy you’re curious about SURJ Bay Area’s Action Member Pods! From May through August of 2024, we will be offering Action Pods with Transgender Gender-Variant Intersex Justice Project and APTP's Santa Rita Jail Support.
What are Action Pods?
What is an Action Pod?
An Action Pod is a group of 6-12 folks (called podmates) and 1-2 pod leaders who work together on a specific social or racial justice action. The pod’s project has a defined start and end date, typically lasting 3-4 months.
Why should I join an Action Member Pod?
Oh, there are so many reasons! Here are just a few…
- You want to build a socially and racially just future in a supportive environment
- You want to get to know people who are also committed to justice
- You want to learn about organizing and leadership skills
- You want to be an active member of SURJ, but a committee isn’t the right fit for you
Do I need to have any experience to join an Action Member Pod?
No, follks of any and all experience levels are welcome to join. If taking action to stand up for justice is new to you, this is a great space to build those skills with a small, supportive group of podmates.
Do I get to pick the Action Member Pod project I work on?
Yes! You can see the list of current AMPs at the bottom of this document.
It gives a brief description of the type of action and when the pod starts/ends.
What is the time commitment?
Generally, action pod members (podmates) commit to:
- Having a 1:1 phone call with your pod leader for an initial get-to-know-you (30-60 min)
- Attending pod gatherings once or twice a month for 3-4 months
- Each pod gathering will last 60 - 90 minutes
- Details for dates/time and whether pod gatherings will be virtual or in-person is at the bottom of this document
- Contributing the minimum number of hours or actions per month to the project goal
- Details for each project are at the bottom of this document
What happens during pod gatherings?
During pod gatherings:
- Pod members and pod leaders get to know each other and build community. Building relationships is essential for growing a strong movement for liberation.
- Pod members and pod leaders talk about their experiences with the actions you are all doing. This can be a great space to share feelings that come up and support each other.
- At one gathering a month a SURJ Bay Area member will give a training on organizing skills for social and racial justice.
What is the culture of pod gatherings?
Glad you asked! Action Member Pod members and leaders agree to act in alignment with the core SURJ mission, values, and principles described here. Everyone in a pod also agrees to these Community Agreements. Please read these and make sure you to agree to them before signing up to join a pod.
What are Pod Leaders?
Who are the pod leaders?
Pod leaders are SURJ Bay Area members who have been trained in skills for supporting pod gatherings. Pod leaders are in charge of the communication and facilitation for pod gatherings.
How does someone become a pod leader?
If you are interested in being a pod leader, let us know when you fill out the form.
Pod leaders have previous experience being part of a pod organizing around social or racial justice. Additional training for pod leaders depends on a person’s background in organizing and current leadership skills.
What is the time commitment for a pod leader?
Action Pod Leaders commit to:
- Having a 1:1 phone call with each pod member for an initial get-to-know-you (30-60 min)
- If there are two pod leaders, the 1:1s will be divided been the leaders
- Attending all pod gatherings for 3-4 months (pods meet once or twice a month)
- Each pod gathering will last 60 - 90 minutes
- About 2-4 hours of work between meetings communicating with pod members about gatherings and providing support as needed
- Contributing the minimum number of hours or actions per month to the project goal
Do pod leaders have support?
Yes! Every pod leader will have a coach. Your coach will help you work through any questions or concerns. They are also a great source of support for any feelings that come up while being a pod leader. Coaches schedule regular check-ins with pod leaders (typically every 2-4 weeks), but a leader can reach out to a coach any time issues arise.
Can podmates and/or leaders choose who is in their pod?
Yes, if you have 4-6 folx who want to be in a pod and 1-2 pod leaders who have already been trained, you are all set! Just have everyone in your pod fill out the form. There is a space to write in the names of folx you want to pod-up with. If you only have 1-2 buddies you’d like to be in a pod with, write their names and we will match you up with a few more folx to form your pod!
Next Action Pods Will Launch in May 2024!
This cycle of Action Pods, we will host 2 different action pods that will last from May through August 2024. You can read below for more detail and sign up here!
Action Pod Option #1
Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP)
Commitment
- Attend TGIJP’s monthly Mail Nights one Tuesday per month for 3 months (3 mail nights total)
- Attend a 60-90 minute virtual (Zoom) SURJ pod gathering once a month for 3 months (3 total meetings)
Description
The mission of Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) is to challenge and end the human rights abuses committed against Black, Black/Brown Trans people inside of California prisons, jails, detention centers and beyond. TGIJP mail nights are an opportunity to write letters of positive emotional support to TGI individuals who are confined in carceral facilities, as well as to provide needed information, with the assistance and guidance of TGIJP staff. Mail Nights take place in person at the TGIJP offices in San Francisco (near Civic Center). No prior experience is necessary.
Schedule
- Pod Launch: Saturday, May 11th (10:00am-11:30am) | virtual
- First Action: Tuesday, May 28th (6:30pm-8:30pm) | in-person (San Francisco)
- First Pod Meeting: Tuesday, June 4th (6:30pm-8:00pm) | virtual
- Second Action: Tuesday, June 18th OR Tuesday, June 25th (TBD) (6:30pm-8:30pm) | in-person in San Francisco
- Second Pod Meeting: Tuesday, July 2nd (6:30pm-8:00pm) | virtual
- Third Action: Tuesday, July 16th OR Tuesday, July 23rd (TBD) (6:30pm-8:30pm) | in-person in San Francisco
- Third Pod Meeting/Group Closing: Tuesday, August 6th (6:30pm-8:00pm) | in-person/hybrid (TBD)
Action Pod Option #2:
Jail Support at Santa Rita Jail
Commitment
- Volunteer at Santa Rita Jail at least once a month for 3 months (Fridays from 7:30-11pm)
- Attend a 60-90 minute virtual (Zoom) SURJ pod gathering once a month for 4 months (The first meeting will be a training/onboarding session)
Description
The Anti Police-Terror Project is a Black-led, multi-racial, intergenerational coalition that seeks to build a replicable and sustainable model to eradicate police terror in communities of color. They started the Santa Rita Jail Support Project as a small but meaningful way to address the harm caused by incarceration in our community. Volunteers set up a table in front of the jail and give out supplies to people newly released. When we welcome them to our table and offer pizza, hot coffee, a cigarette, and warm clothing, people are glad to see a friendly face and engage in a little conversation.
Santa Rita Jail is one of the largest jails in the U.S. and it has one of the highest rates of in-custody deaths for county jails in California. People, including women, are often released into the cold night wearing just a T-shirt, hungry and exhausted from the conditions they have come out of. We get to know people a bit and hear about their experiences inside—poor food, unsanitary conditions, and disrespectful guards. We share people’s relief at finally being able to breathe fresh air and the joy of being free again.
Shifts at the jail go from 7:30pm to 11-midnight, usually on a Friday night. The supplies are in a storage unit in Downtown Oakland which closes before the end of the shift, so we need volunteers who can return the supplies within several days and update the inventory sheet. We also need volunteers to help restock supplies. We will provide more details in our onboarding Zoom meeting and find roles that are a good fit for each person.
Schedule
- Onboarding Zoom meeting: Tuesday, May 14th (6:30-8:00pm) | virtual
- First Action: Friday, May 24th (7:30pm-11:00pm) (action dates are flexible) | in-person (Santa Rita)
- First Pod Meeting: Tuesday, June 4th (6:30pm-8:00pm) | virtual
- Second Action: Friday, June 21st (7:30pm-11:00pm) | in-person (Santa Rita)
- Second Pod Meeting: Tuesday, July 2nd (6:30pm-8:00pm) | virtual
- Third Action: Friday, July 19th (7:30pm-11:00pm) | in-person (Santa Rita)
- Third Pod Meeting: Tuesday, August 6th (6:30pm-8:00pm) | virtual
- Group Closing: Saturday, August 17th (TBD) | location/format TBD