IPV – Indivisible Portola Valley
BIR – Books, Ideas, and Research
The Books, Ideas, and Research Committee is an informal working group of Indivisible Portola Valley. Its purpose is to scan for and make accessible practical ideas (from books, websites, articles, etc.) to inform the work of IPV and make it more effective.
We do this through sharing the results of our scans and discoveries in periodic Zoom meetings and through working in small working teams focused on such topics as:
- how best to make relevant resource materials available and accessible on the IPV website,
- how most effectively to reach out to others and build support for IPV’s work,
- how to improve communication with the “other side” in these polarized times,
- how to improve our understanding of the fundamental importance of nonviolence in protests and demonstrations, and how to ensure safety for demonstrators,
- how best to encourage noncooperation within institutions where democratic principles are being eroded (e.g., education, business, courts and the law, civic organizations, etc.),
- how to organize effective actions outside of protests and demonstrations that build momentum and broaden the scope of democracy-building activities,
- etc.
We also look for opportunities to share what we’ve learned with other Indivisible groups and others working to improve our democratic institutions.
We believe that a healthy democracy inevitably involves differences and disagreements, and we welcome a diversity of political viewpoints, so long as they are grounded in a fundamental commitment to the underlying principles of the United States, namely freedom, equality, truthfulness, and a commitment to the rule of law.
We would be happy to welcome anyone wishing to work with us.