We Are The People

EDITORIAL We are rich in experience, though poor in wealth. We are the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the single parents, and the veterans, people of color and of many religions, we are all persons who live in public and subsidized housing. There we have learned on a daily basis how to survive and overcome bullying, mobbing, and harassment. When a ruler seeks to trample our rights and deprive us of food, health, and free speech, we have the ability to protect ourselves; it is our right.

How We Advocate for Our Rights

This is a guide to legislative advocacy. You can write, send email, or phone. Use your own words and your own story and borrow from the suggestions here.

Find my legislator

Go to Find My Legislator by entering your street address, city/town, and ZIP code. To

You will see your representative and your senator. Click on their name links and you will see their email address and phone number.

Transparent advocacy for the rights of tenants

This post will show how we work with our legislative partners, there is nothing to hide and the more people understand the process, the stronger our movement as we demonstrate how we do democracy. Beacon Hill is often criticized for a lack of transparency. Legislators are seen as under the influence of powerful forces that are never seen in the light of day. We of the Stop Bullying Coalition do advocate on policies and legislation, and we do so out in the open, transparently.

Survey & Qualitative Research 2017-2020

Survey research: Using data from the survey done for the Commission on Bullying, we ask, "What are the elements of the situation that correlate with a community that is bully-free compared with one that has bullying and mobbing?”

Qualitative research: factors influencing persistence / control of mobbing and compliance with public health rules for maintaining 6 feet distance from others and using a face covering.

Community Norms and Governance of Housing

Abstract

Community norms can either promote a healthy, caring community or lead to a toxic community that is harmful. In public and subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled, failure to control bullying and mobbing (group bullying) creates a toxic community, while failing to prevent transmission of COVID-19 can create a deadly situation.

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Sticks, Stones, Gossip & Governance Part 2 of 2

“Oldtown” is a small city in the Connecticut River Valley in Western Massachusetts. “Beatrice,” a Black, energetic middle-age woman who is a tenant in “Oldtown Housing Authority (OHA),” is the target of mobbing, including by tenants and staff calling her a bully (although there is no apparent basis for the allegation). She is the tenant commissioner of the OHA board, appointed by the mayor of Oldtown. The legal housing provider in public housing consists of five commissioners, one of whom is a tenant. In some housing authorities, the governance system is in turmoil. How can we remedy the breakdown in trust that affects everyone: tenants, the board, the executive director, the staff, and even the public? Can we find a way to create a more collaborative, transparent community and to value constructive input from everyone? This is Part 2; see Part 1 

Sticks, Stones, Gossip & Governance Part 1 of 2

Smiling woman looks at viewer

In some housing authorities, the governance system is in turmoil. How can we remedy the breakdown in trust that affects everyone: tenants, the board, the executive director, the staff, and even the public? Can we find a way to create a more collaborative, transparent community and to value constructive input from everyone? This is Part 1; See Part 2