Event:2014/08/02 Challenging Dominant Culture

11:00am at Arbor Cafe!

• Agenda
  • Safer space and conflict resolution policy
  • Neighborhood outreach / flyering
  • Aorta training and other skill-building opportunities
  • Ban reciprocity language

• Members present: Niki, Olive, Alana, Jordan, Ashley, David K, & Sarah

1. Safer space and conflict resolution policies

• We discussed how we can make our policies as transformative as possible, resisting punitive or juridical frameworks.
• Olive brought up her desire to rename the safer space policy to something that conveys an understanding that we are not creating a totally "safe" space at the Omni, but rather actively resisting oppression in the space. We changed the name to "safer space policy" but still feel the title could use some work.
• We discussed encouraging Omni member collectives to draft their own safer space and conflict resolution policies, using the Omni's policies as templates if desired, so that each collective has a chance to define for themselves what it means to advocate for safety and equity among their members.
• We don't believe that the current drafts of the safer space and conflict resolution policies are perfect. We want to continue editing and revising both policies as we continue to learn and educate ourselves about other collectives' policies and our own experiences.
• Jordan has drafted a statement of solidarity to serve as the philosophical grounds for the safer space policy. It's posted here: https://pad.riseup.net/p/omnisos. We will each review the statement and begin editing it together in the weeks ahead.

2. Neighborhood outreach

• The flyer for the neighborhood has not been printed, so flyering will be postponed until next Sunday, August 10. The new date of the community potluck will be Thursday, August 21.
• Olive, Niki, and Sarah will work on reaching out to organizations in Oakland who work on racial justice issues to see how the Omni could take leadership from and stand in solidarity with them.
• Jordan is working with Critical Resistance on potentially hosting a fundraiser for them in September.

3. Aorta and other training opportunities

• Niki and Danny will work with Aorta to secure their reduced rate for facilitation training.
• Someone who has experience facilitating non-violent communication training has volunteered to lead a training for the Omni on Saturday, August 23. Space is limited to 30 people, but we should announce this opportunity at the delegates' meeting and ask folks who are interested to sign up. Niki is liaising with the facilitator.
• Margaretha has volunteered to get in touch with Starhawk regarding a facilitation training. We will follow up with her at the next meeting about this opportunity.

4. Ban reciprocity language

• We didn't have time to get to this. We will revisit at next week's meeting.