​In today's world, we fortunately still have the luxury of technology, and a working power and communication infrastructure. We can still connect with people we have never met, over the internet anywhere in the world, including people in nearby communities. We can turn on our tablets and surf the internet to find people with the same goal of surviving after a disaster without ever leaving the couch. The anonymity that goes with internet connections is one many people prefer.

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​There are numerous places you can utilize to find fellow preppers who would appreciate being a part of your network or welcoming you into theirs. It is important you use this service to your advantage today. After a disaster or collapse, the internet will not be up and you would likely not have the power needed to charge your internet devices, anyways. This includes calling your fellow neighborhood preppers. Use the technology available today to establish signs that will be used to send messages. It would also be a good idea to buy 2-way radios that will transmit several miles. This will allow you to keep in touch with your network when the phone lines are down and cell towers are not functioning.

​Right now, the ability to connect with people you don't know over the internet is a very lucrative option. It gives you that anonymity you desire while allowing you to do lots of research about a particular organization.
Although the internet and technology in general gives you a great deal of anonymity, it is still important you follow some basic rules. You wouldn't tell the guy you met on the street your full name, address and everything you have and you certainly don't want to put that information out on the internet.
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Never offer where you live. It is best to keep it general. If you live in a particular neighborhood, that would be safe to mention. However, avoid street names and any particular details about your house. Some folks are okay with using their first and last names, but keep in mind; with technology as it is today, it is very easy to find someone's address.
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​Avoid discussing personal details and especially don't talk about any valuables like guns or gold you have stored away. You have to remember it isn't just your fellow preppers that are looking at the boards. It could be anybody. That includes the people that are looking for places to loot and steal from today.

There are some major advantages to using technology today to build up your prepper groups. It is one way to get to know someone so to speak. Each person in the group will know the others' strengths and weaknesses. This is what makes a community. You don't want to build a group of people who all know the same thing and have the same skill set.

The goal is to use the meetings and internet groups to learn about each other. To discuss what one person is doing and how it works and how it can be improved. Nobody is going to have all the answers, which is why community networks are so crucial to long term survival.

You will want to vet the groups before you make a final decision to join. You may have different ideologies and goals. You may be a peace-loving kind of person who prefers to focus on living and let live while the group you are looking into may be more of a kill the competition. Don't join a group you cannot mesh well with.

Personality conflicts within a group can be a real issue. If you put everything you have into the group, but end up not getting along with all the members, you are forced to make a decision. Leave the group and likely lose what you brought in or stay and deal with the conflict.
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Another benefit to using technology as a lead is the ability to check out what others have said or are currently saying about a group you are considering joining. Many local groups will have online sites or Facebook pages. It is a good idea to comb through current and past posts. Look at what other members are talking about and how the group works with each other. Is there a lot of bickering? Do you agree with the leaders of the group and their values and direction?
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When you join online, you have the freedom to leave a group if it isn't working for you. Easy come, easy go. There isn't an awkward exit. You simply leave and find another. If it is a group you are putting together, you have the luxury of asking another member to leave if it is obvious they are not going to be a positive contributor.

Make sure you ask the hard questions up front and save yourself some time. It is often easier to talk openly when you are only looking at a computer rather than an actual person. Use it to your advantage to ask the questions, research and get to know the other people before you make that initial face to face contact.

Even after you commit to a group, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep some things to yourself. You may all be great friends today, but when it comes down to every man fighting for resources to survive, it can get ugly. Ideally, your group would work together towards the goal of survival, but there are no guarantees in life. Getting into a group now, working together and getting to know one another better will help develop trust. That trust is what will help sustain you and keep your merry band of survivors together.

By Dennis DIaz
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​Preppers do what they can to cover all of their bases. They want to make sure they have enough food, water and other emergency supplies on hand to sustain their family should a disaster strike. Because disaster may strike at home, a plan for getting out of dodge is also necessary. In fact, it may be Plan A for some.
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Bugging out isn't quite as easy as grabbing a bug out bag and heading for the hills. There are going to be some serious obstacles. Some of those obstacles may require strength and a lot of thought. No one should try and do it alone. Despite the idea that preppers must keep their prepping a secret and tell no one, that is not always best.​

Every prepper needs a network of people. Networks provide many benefits and can aid in survival after a major disaster, economic collapse or a power grid failure. We are going to talk about the ways you can network with people right in your neighborhood as well as people a couple hundred miles away.
 
Neighborhood Network
 
It is hard to open up about your prepping to others. In fact, you really wouldn't want to. You don't want to tell any Joe off the street what you have stockpiled in your home. The idea is to search out other people who feel the same way as you. People who are not convinced the world is going to be perfect and safe forever. There are plenty of folks who are going to think a lot like you, maybe not exactly the same, but can see the writing on the wall and know things are going to get ugly.

These are the people you want to network with. You don't have to have weekly barbecues at your house or chat on the phone everyday. The goal is to have monthly meetings to talk about your plans should something go awry.
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It can be somewhat difficult to find these people simply because preppers are a secretive group. However, there are some who recognize the need to have networks within the community and have already formed groups. Your job will be to find these established groups. There are a few ways you can do this.

• Check the bulletin board at your local co-op. Look for fliers about groups that are meeting to discuss self-sustainability, prepping or off-grid.
• Start conversations with people you meet at the store, while out yardsaling or even your neighbors. You don't want to come on strong and start talking about your belief that the end is near, but a few words about stocking up on food or you are thinking about looking into solar energy can get a conversation started.
• If  you go to church, get to know your congregation a bit more. You are sure to find a few people who share your opinions and want to get more involved with prepping. Many churches offer sustainability classes for free. Outdoor school or retreats through the church are an excellent way to spend time with people who may be potential candidates for your network.
• Attend community events. This is a great way to get a feel for your community. Oddly enough, when you are an experienced prepper, you can pick up on key words and phrases in a conversation and know instantly that the person speaking is either a prepper or wants to learn more about it.
• Your local sporting goods store is another place you are likely to run into preppers. Be friendly, ask a question about the best ammo or what kind of wire is best for snare traps and you are sure to get a conversation about survival and prepping going. If the person you ask looks at you like you are crazy, move on.
• Farmer's markets are another great place to meet fellow preppers. Vendors who are growing enough food to sell some off, obviously have the right idea. They are self-sustainable, which is what you want to be.
• Check with the local FEMA office in your county or state. There may be a C.E.R.T chapter set up in your area. The Certified Emergency Response Teams are comprised of local citizens in the area who have gone through training to be the first responders following a disaster when the professionals are unable to get to an area or are wrapped up with other calls. The folks in the CERT network are very likely to be preppers. Ask to join and then get to know your fellow members to talk about creating or joining a survival network. If a chapter is not currently established, do what is necessary to start one up. This is a great way to meet like-minded people while getting some free or low-cost training.

 
Never assume you can spot a prepper by looks alone. While there are some who certainly stand apart from the rest, the majority of preppers and the kind you want to throw your hat in with, are completely under the radar so to speak. They don't advertise their skills or what they have. They don't dress like they are part of a militia. They blend in. They move about their communities without being labeled a “crazy prepper” or one of those “survivalist types.”

While it isn't really an issue of name calling, you have to know that this is the kind of thing that draws attention. This is what will lead a hundred people to your front door when things do go south. They know you have supplies and there is a hundred of them and one of you. They are going to take what you have or use you for your skills.
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When you are in a network, you know someone will have your back. You can bug out together or shelter-in-place together. One of the main reasons people want to be a part of a network is for the strength in numbers. More eyes watching your camp and more people to help defend it. A group of marauders is less likely to attack an organized group than they would a single person or a single family.
If there isn't currently a group established in your neighborhood, be the one who starts it. Print up a few fliers and put them on the bulletin boards of the co-op, farmer's market and the feed store. This is where preppers in hiding will see it. Keep the network somewhat anonymous. Meet at a public place and do not demand people pay dues or provide their full names and addresses. That will take time and trust.

All it takes is one connection. From there, the person you connect with will likely know somebody and that person will know somebody. You don't need 100 members in your network. A handful of good people with a variety of skills will increase your odds of survival. A prepper community network is essential to learning and growing.