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I'm feeling salty today so I'm gonna air some grievances.
First, if you come into a mutual space while we're very busy and trap us in a conversation after I've already told you we can't talk right now, it seems that your interest in volunteering is more about you than about the work. Respect the boundaries organizers set for their orgs.
Second, if you are going to show up to volunteer, you better check and see if there's a sign up form or at least reach out via email first. It's a pandemic, you can't just show up and expect to be welcomed in the door.
Third, mutual aid isn't about you, it's about the collective. If you're showing up to promote your social media account or especially your political campaign, you're not welcome. There's a lot of clout chasers running around, and those of us doing the hard work can see through it
Lastly, STOP TAKING PHOTOS OF PEOPLE RECEIVING SERVICES! I seriously doubt all these people were asked if they're okay with being in your instagrams or especially having their photo in a newspaper! Peoples privacy is infinitely more important than getting your org into the media.
And actually the same is true of people helping out! Don't take photos of people without their consent. Don't invite journalists to events without asking the people who will be there.
To both journalists and my comms team friends: know that I majorly respect your work, but I don't want you around while I'm doing mutual aid. For some people in our community, privacy is necessary, and we want to create an environment free of any fear or shame. No cameras.
And I worry about our work being framed as charity: "look at these nice people giving to the less fortunate" 
If you want to talk about why people need free food in Astoria, that's great, but I don't think being in puff pieces about local do-gooders do anything to help the work
If you want to talk about why people need free food in Astoria, that's great, but I don't think being in puff pieces about local do-gooders do anything to help the work
And in fact they probably just help attract the clout chasers I mentioned above. Maybe the media hits bring in a few donors, but donation chasing isn't what mutual aid is about anyways.
