• Jill Rosenfeld's Free Agents in the Olde World showed us that the guilds are not a medieval relic, but are alive and kicking in the new economy. Visit the sites of such e-guilds like Aquent and Manpowerbefore your next meeting and discuss how labor will be organized in the new economy. In what ways does COF act like a guild in the new economy? Invite a local union representative to come to your next meeting, or if any of your members are in a union have your cell go to a meeting with them. Read more about the history and culture of the American labor movement from the AFL-CIO. Check out Union Online to find the union nearest you and arrange a cell visit to their next meeting. The concept of guilds and unions bring to mind the medieval period and early American history. If you're stationed in the Northeast, consider taking your cell on a weekend trip to the American Labor Museum in New Jersey. While you're there you can also walk through New York's historic garment district. Even if your city doesn't have a special museum dedicated to labor, try going to your local historical society to learn more about the early industries and labor movements of your area. Many of the problems that guilds and unions fought against still exist on some scale. Submerge your cell in the sweatshop debate by investigating if the Workers Rights Consortium has a chapter near you and having a speaker come to your cell meeting to discuss the issue.
• Did Scott Kirsner's Seattle Reboots Its Future make you wish that your city was undergoing a cultural renaissance? Even if your area is not currently investing $160 million in a new public library, there are still plenty of ways to soak in the local culture. Among the more obvious is a cell trip to your city's museums. Whether it be D.C's Smithsonian, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, or San Francisco's Modern Museum of Art, the choices are vast and varied. Even if you've been to your city's art museum a dozen times already, investigate if there are any smaller niche museums around, like an independent gallery or one specializing in a specific period you're interested in. With summer coming move your cultural excursion outdoors by taking an architectural tour or boat ride, like Chicago's Architecture Tour . Organize a trip for your cell to take in some culture one weekend with a trip to the theatre, ballet, opera or symphony. If you would like to contribute to your local culture (and don't have $22 million lying around like Paul Allen), contact your local library to volunteer on weekends, see if you can lead tour groups at a museum, or attend an audition at a smaller theatre. If the stage is not your thing you may be able to help out with production and behind-the-scenes work.

Daniel Richards contributed this month's Next Steps.

April 2001 Connexus | Flash Points | Next Steps

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