I'd love to see each group be very, very focused on making real things happen in the real world

I am with you here. At the same time, small paradigm shifts often cause more change in the real world than giant actions.

When Jimmy Carter was mediating between Sadat and Begin at Camp David back in the 70s, the talks broke down and they were getting ready to leave. Carter spent the last day talking exclusively about his grandchildren. Something clicked, and it led to that famous accord.

http://www.medaloffreedom.com/An warElSadat.htm

I like the focus on action (remember when I tried to get everyone to change their thread titles to "TAKE ACTION: ..."?). At the same time, other kinds of conversations can sometimes create the foundations of breakthrough action.