The biggest thing the ragtag Occupy Lancaster encampment has going for it is heart.

Look beyond the sign-waving, drumming and other protest-related activities at the around-the-clock occupation of Art Park and you see something more is happening at Prince and Chestnut streets.

On Tuesday morning, Grace Henderson, 44, was in a big tent sorting food. Supporters had donated so much that she was getting the extra ready to give to churches and food banks.

Ryan Overly, meanwhile, spoke of caring conversations with people struggling with addiction. "They've never seen anything like this before," Overly said, "this level of acceptance from the community."

And Ryan Seitz, 28, said sleeping at the park since Saturday night and interacting with others wanting to start a movement for economic justice has suffused him with a spirit of neighborliness.

"Everyone I work with, everyone I pass on the street, I feel much more connected to," Seitz said.

So where's the outrage? I guess it's hard to stay mad at Wall Street when the whole culture of Occupy Lancaster revolves around inclusion, equality, respect and building community.

Take the decision-making process. In meetings leading to the start of the encampment Saturday, the initiators decided participatory democracy would rule the day.

That means no one is a member of Occupy Lancaster; no one is president. Anyone can attend the twice-daily General Assemblies (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) for reports from working groups (outreach, media, facilitation, logistics, etc.) Anyone is free to offer input, join one or more of the working groups, and train to facilitate General Assemblies. If a decision requiring a vote is needed, a proposal passes only if 90 percent of those present for a General Assembly approve.

On Tuesday morning, the General Assembly consisted of 11 sitting in a circle on the grass. The discussion was mostly about housekeeping matters ranging from how to deal with an altercation (separate people and de-escalate) to public bathroom etiquette (take toilet paper and tidy up.)

So like any family camping trip, a lot of Occupy Lancaster's energy is spent figuring out how to keep bellies full, clothes dry and spirits up.

Right now, the nascent movement is fueled by the novelty of its undertaking. Last Thursday night when a General Assembly voted 75 to 1 to occupy Art Park, cheers erupted.

But someday interest will wane, tents will come down and protesters will move on with their lives. It's time the occupiers start thinking about that day and consider next steps. Perhaps a working group should be formed to start actively looking over the horizon.

What the occupiers should recognize is they stand on the shoulders of earlier generations. Many in Lancaster have long been working to alleviate suffering, expand opportunity and strengthen the community.

Those efforts could benefit from new blood and new ideas and would welcome the spirit of camaraderie and civic engagement abundantly evident at Art Park.

If Occupy Lancaster made the transition from manning an encampment to building up our community, imagine the progress.

jhawkes@lnpnews.com