The last couple of weeks have not been easy – we hope you have been finding time to hold your communities close, to find inspiration and power in the work we all do to build a better future, and taking care of yourself through it all.
Through this time, PBP’s New Jersey Advocacy Manager, Nisha Thompson, encouraged our team to think creatively about all of the ways participatory democracy may show up in our lives – from the ways we make decisions alongside out government, in our neighborhoods, and even in our own families, including chosen family. Read on and join us in creatively defining community, and finding joy wherever we can.
Turkey Day is upon us!
Next week many of us will gather together to appreciate the community that supports us and helps us thrive in any situation.
First, I want to create some space to acknowledge that for our Native American neighbors and supporters, this is not a day of celebration, but of mourning. It is a reminder of the broken promises, violence, genocide, erasure and oppression that came with the arrival European colonists and continues to this day. If you want to join me in seeking to decolonize your Thanksgiving, you can start here.
Additionally, Native Americans have a long history of giving thanks. The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Greetings to the Natural World can be a good way to start the day rather than leading with the false pilgrim and Native American friendship narrative.
This year, my community will have a participatory Thanksgiving meal together! How do you ask? Let’s consult our handy dandy participatory budgeting cycle for reference.
Step 1: Design the process
Who is coming to Thanksgiving? Hopefully everyone!
Now, of these guests, who will decide how will we get everyone’s input? Well guess what, that is your Thanksgiving steering committee! They’ll set the table, so to speak, but first we’ll establish:
- What’s the budget? Who gets to decide what we are eating? When we come up with options for the final meal plan who will gets to vote? Kids? Your brother’s new girlfriend? The Thanksgiving free riders who don’t bring anything but always show up exactly when you are about to sit down and eat?
- Who gets to cook? Maybe Uncle Pravin has a new kitchen skills they want to demonstrate? Maybe not Cousin Wesley who put the cutting board in the oven when baking cookies…
- Who supports the cooks? Food prep anyone? Who cleans up?
- Who picks the games that are played? CHARADES PLEASE! Mario Kart is causing too many bad feelings?
- Who sits where? KIDS TABLE OR NO KIDS TABLE?
Step 2: Idea Collection!
Time to brainstorm recipes and ingredients, like:
- Deep Fried Turkey vs Soy honey glaze vs Peking Duck?
- TOFURKEY!
- Mashed potatoes vs briyani?
- New brussel sprout recipe looks good
- rice and beans
- no stuffing this year?
- Canned cranberry sauce vs fresh?
- Pizza! Brisket!
- All ideas welcome!
Step 3: Develop Proposals!
Finalize recipes, determine feasibility – too complicated, too many ingredients, too expensive, food allergies
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We don’t have a wood fire pizza oven!
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Can we deep fry a turkey safely?
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What type of kitchen will we be in?
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Make a shopping list for each meal plan
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Any Coupons?
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Grocery store selection?
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Timetable how long will it take to prep and make a meal?Deep Fried Turkey vs Soy honey glaze vs Peking Duck?
Step 4: Vote!
Everyone sees the different menu options and budgets and votes! Final plan and roles are defined, now it’s time for…
Step 5: Implement!
Time to cook and eat! Play games, talk, watch TV, and rest. Maybe over dessert, maybe the next day, but we’ll then take time to…
Step 6: Evaluate!
What went well? What didn’t? Will do you this again? What might you change? Did the voting work for everyone? Maybe we need more kids on the steering committee. We’ll improve the process and do it all again next year!
However you celebrate, I sincerely hope you enjoy time with those you love have a great holiday season. Let us know how you infuse community-led decision making into your celebrations! We can’t wait to keep building a future where we can all thrive with you.
Nisha Thompson
NJ Advocacy Manager
Nisha joined PBP as the NJ Advocacy Manger for the PB Seeds program which aims to build PB demand all over the state. Nisha is a community organizer who has extensive experience building movements to increase government transparency using open data, community engagement, and policy advocacy. A NJ native, she worked locally and nationally in the US and in India bringing people together to work on improving the relationship between citizens and government. Her passion is working with volunteers, demystifying complex processes, and engaging people in innovative ways.
