Because they lack grassroots chapters, these national groups should do more to help assist the formation of umbrella organizations that will keep track of and mobilize the independent groups in a state. When circumstances require a state wide mobilization this whole apparatus can respond collectively. When the environmental movement fails to perform, the effects are irrevocable and often irrecoverable, so redundancy at the state level is not inefficient, it is prudent and necessary. Suggestions for Foundations To assist a grassroots network to develop, there is need for model equipment configurations, regular training conferences, and a technological infrastructure to support a network . Foundations, of course, will pay for it.
Someone needs to take the initiative to develop model standards and a model system.
There are infinite combinations of hardware and software that could be used to make up a system, and there will be enormous problems if there is no standardized equipment. Not that a single system could ever be imposed, but to trouble shoot user's systems will require a formal support mechanism, and that support will need to know exactly what is out there. Funders should go online at home . Foundations interested in a national network, which have not themselves implemented these systems in-house, should take some training or set up an orientation in Email and Internet so they at least have seen these networks in operation. It will be very hard to implement a system if some of the principal funders have no hands on experience, which no amount of reading or native intelligence can substitute for.