Event:2015/02/19 Weekly Delegate's Meeting

Weekly Omni Delegates Meeting : Thursday, February 19, 2015

• The meeting begins promptly at 7pm, every Thursday, and ends promptly at 9pm, unless delegates agree to continuation.

• Contents:

• Arm Raising
• Assignments
  • Stack Taker: Mary
  • Notes: Niki
  • Time: Dusty
  • Vibe Reader: Ryan & Brandon
  • Next Week's Facilitator: Mary & Ryan
• Introductions/Welcome
• Attendees/Quorum?:
  • Kevin (How We Organize, CDC), Mary (CCL Delegate), Dusty (unaffiliated), Matt (Sudo, BAPS, FNB), DK (Black Hole DELEGATE, BAPS, SUDO, OMNI), Niki (La Commune Delegate, BAPS, Sudo, working groups), Darin (FNB), Elizabeth (unaffiliated), Katie (unaffiliated), Shake (Oakland Next), Kate (BAPS DELEGATE), Tyler (unaffiliated), Helen (FNB DELEGATE), Brandon (Oakland Next), Sean (Sudo), Ian (Sudo, has a question), Ryan (Sudo Delegate), Laura (BAPS), Allie (Material Print Machine Delegate), Joseph (unaffiliated), Emji (TIL Delegate) ,Na ;

Nicholas (Sudo), Joe (FNB)

• • Quorum? Yes!
• Announcements
  • Ian's question: Noticed non-Sudo members hanging out in Sudo, would like to set up more public terminals elsewhere in the building to use? Ok to set them up downstairs? (Niki will communicate w/Ian)
  • Helen: Starting the process of fixing up the walk-in cooler. Not sure who the fridge outside of the downstairs kitchen belongs to?
  • Ryan: Sudo has temporarily banned perfumes and perfumed cleansers from the space (proposal)
  • Laura: early stages of visioning process. Please fill out the survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BXGHX2N
  • Brandon: Here to discuss Oakland Next questions
  • Ryan: Sourdough class on Saturday
  • DK: will create a future proposal for Movable Walls for ballroom subdivision / gallery

• • Niki: OMNI needs a new Secretary! Your name will be on the Articles of Incorporation! You'll take lots of notes, make sure they're added to the wiki and printed out on real, live paper / added to a binder! Doesn't this sound fun!?

• • Nora: want to create an artist residency at Omni, will create a proposal + go to How We Organize
    • DK: Nora should talk to Birdhouse

Working Group Report-Backs

CDC

• Meets on Sundays at 12pm
  • Niki: ban proposal later, 3 bans announced last week, has been creating conflict resolution policy flow charts to hand to ppl if there is a conflict,

Maintenance

• Meets at 1pm on Sundays
• getting ready to open by May 15th
• mapping the electrical circuits of the building, put in new sockets
• if your group has energy needs, pls contact Mary
• also making a budget

building

• • DK: has been working really hard on electrical issues this week, dealing with the city, talking to electricians and structural engineers assessing load for all trusses in the ballroom and the ballroom mezannine, and PG&E is putting in a new transformer on the street and running our electrical through the ground, the theater electrician recommends 3-phase to the ballroom, get conduit ppl to subsidize the cost of our 3-phase, wants to coordinate with maintenance group on this, DK has been working on a 3d model of building conduits, next week DK will call for a meeting of all ppl who have an interest in building things (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), hopes to start construction in 10 days,

Commons

• Meets on Saturdays at 1pm
  • Niki: if someone is interested in reserving the commons/ballroom for an event, just send people to omnicommons.org/occupy and have them fill out a form
  • need more volunteers

Finance

• Meets on Weds at 7:30 (except next week when we will meet on Tues at 7:30)
  • Niki: collectives, pay yr rent for February!
  • Finance WG invoices everyone who reserves the ballroom
  • needs more volunteers, help out!

How we Organize

• Meets Tuesdays at 7pm
  • Kevin:

   disbanding on Imagining work
   still helping ppl with proposals
   
   

Welcoming

• • Ryan:

-moving to 6p Wednesdays -need more volunteers

• Half-time activity

Proposals

PROPOSAL : EXTERIOR STENCIL SIGNAGE

brought by La Commune, 2/17/2015

La Commune would like to paint stenciled signage on the exterior of the Omni, visible to passersby on Telegraph Avenue, indicating the presence of our cafe and bookstore.

The signage would read "LA COMMUNE CAFE + BOOKSTORE", or something very similar, and will be tidy and attractive.

This signage would either be located between the Shattuck side window & the front door, or above the second floor window (TIL offices).

Effective communication to the public that we are open for business is essential for La Commune's survival. As the front door of the Omni, good advertising for La Commune will bring in many people who otherwise would not know about our project. We look forward to the support of the delegate's council in publicizing our collective to the neighborhood.

• • Ryan: Are there legal reasons why we can't have signage?
  • DK: Spent hours today dealing w/what is involved in making modifications to the exterior of the building, need to apply for permission, need drawings, there are lots of regulations for signage. Need to modify proposal to include design. We are required to have signage around what kinds of events are going on here.
  • Ryan: Does it have to do with us being "Open to the Public"? Could other collectives be involved if we're not "Open to the Public"?
  • DK: Right now, we're still a private space, wouldn't want to give the impression that we're open.
  • Laura: Given how complicated it is to do signage, suggest that all of the collectives come up w/a single design. Have a discussion w/your collective as to what kind of sign you'd like to have.
  • Emji: Not ready as a proposal, need to identify what we need to do in re: the city before moving forward
  • Nicholas - What is the time frame for discussion around signage for all the collectives who want one? Niki - not pressing. She will make a sandwich board for LC for now
  • Tyler: I was lost when I got here, would be nice to have a sign
  • Straw poll: Are people generally in favor of there being signage advertising La Commune? - Yes, no blocking concerns

PROPOSAL: OAKLAND NEXT

• • • https://pad.riseup.net/p/oaklandnext
    • Emji: Wasn't clear what the organization does, what space you need, what you can contribute
    • Brandon: Would like to use the big room for meetings and one of the office rooms for audio and video editing space.
    • Emji: are you able to contribute
    • Brandon: Oakland Next is a brand new collective, working off of ideas that we aspire to gain resources from. So we don't have any resources to contribute towards rent at this time
    • Emji: Not sure what exactly Oakland Next does
    • Brandon: Mentor Program for at risk youth. We haven't currently begun to do this work
    • Shake: We have experience w/youth, working in radio and media. Want to do leadership training. Believe we can contribute diversity to Omni
    • Laura: Many of the collectives and organization here don't have dedicated space. For meetings, they use whatever space is available. Would you be willing to share space for meetings. How often do you have meetings?
    • Brandon: Right now we're having meetings once a week. Planning to have meetings twice a week. Dedicated space that we'd like is space that we'd put equipment into for media projects.
    • Kevin: You're talking with Optikallusions about sharing media resources
    • Shake: asking to work with others to keep a media space functioning
    • Niki: Perhaps Oakland Next can have their meetings here w/out being a member collective until they're more formalized and up and running
    • Joe: Do you meet with your mentees currently
    • Shake: Our meetings are currently organizing meetings
    • Ryan: How does Oakland Next fit into Omni's anti-capitalist values? Can you expand on cyber-security.
    • Shake: We would like to protect ourselves against thieves. That's all that meant. We're here to define those words
    • Ryan: Can you redefine or expand on what you mean by the words in your proposal
    • Shake: I'm a socialist. When you're talking to youth, you have to engage people in the language that they understand. We have to fundraise. I want people fed, to be educated, to have shelter. But until we have that mechanism someone needs to raise money
    • Ryan: Not saying that Oakland Next should not make money but feel some of the mentorship programs are particularly exploitative
    • Kevin: Let me try to open up this conversation to both perspectives. Omni has clear anti-capitalist values. Perhaps that can be addressed in the proposal. Some people, particularly young black men, don't have access to the training that allows them be self sufficient.
    • Ryan: Feel that marketing is incredibly damaging
    • Helen: There's more than one way for people to be Omni members. One is to be a member collective but some groups may need some more organizational time before becoming a full fledged member.
    • Brandon: That sounds like a great idea.
    • Shake: Not in a rush, We can take our time. Want to make sure everyone is comfortable. I take any criticsm, thank you for it. We aspire to become a member collective.
    • Helen: It seems really exciting
    • Emji: Just to give you some perspective on becoming a member collective. It took Material Print Machine over a month to become a member collective over which time our proposal was honed. Saying that as a form of support. Sometimes it takes awhile. I like that you're willing to be flexible. You could start having your meetings here in the meantime. Question about youth in the space
    • Shake: 18-25. Young adults
    • Niki: We had a member collective that did not materialize and it was very diffifult for everyone. Good to take time and use the space as you need until you're formalized.
    • DK: Will this be a non-profit or a for profit venture?
    • Shake: Not a fan of non-profits but not a "for-profit" venture. Will be either a UA or a Worker's Co-op. A volunteer training organization. Upset that we don't have a lot of leadership in Bay Area, want to create leaders in the community in a fashion that actually benefits people in order to generate resources.
    • Kate: Oakland Next sounds like an interesting and valuable group. Liked Kevin's interpretation. Would like to offer some thoughts on marketing. Wondering if the training could be geared towards marketing for social good or fundraising. Just offering a different to approach the training.
    • Shake: Once again, open to ideas.
    • Kevin: That's why we need to speak to one another with calmness and respect in these meetings.
    • Joe: Was going to try to parse out difference between marketing and selling something that people have made. But the most exciting thing is what you're trying to do for this underserved population.
    • Shake: I joined the military at 19 because my options were limited
    • Joe: might be an opportunity to teach kids skills in relation to things that are going on here w/the different collectives
    • Dusty: Excited about it, work with youth, would like to talk more
    • Joe: What's the next step?
    • Nick: I see marketing as a double edged sword, maybe just a change in language.

Proposal: CDC to advocate for temporary safer space bans pending conflict mediation

brought by CDC, 2/17/2015

The goal of this proposal is to allow the CDC to call for temporary bans of individuals from both virtual and/or physical spaces of the Omni pending conflict mediation WHEN no one already-recognized member group or unaffiliated member of the Omni community is able to do so OR, when an affiliated or unaffiliated member or group of the Omni community feels that publicly calling for such a ban on their own behalf may put their personal safety at risk.

We feel that it is important for individuals suffering abuse across multiple collectives, as well as unaffiliated members of the community should be able to request that an individual or individuals engaging in abusive behaviors either in virtual and/or physical Omni space be asked to leave the space pending conflict mediation. We recognize that there may be occasions when making such a request on one's own behalf can cause an individual or individuals to fear for their personal safety.

The CDC would not be tasked with the formalization of any bans or the adjudication or mediation of conflicts but rather, would provide a place for those who either do not feel they can call on their member collective, are unaffiliated with a member collective or who fear retaliation that may jeopardize their safety have a group to appeal to who could advocate on their behalf and who could provide both parties with a list of resources for conflict mediation.

The CDC will identify a conflict steward immediately and ask that the resolution process begin within one week of the request.

Any requests for the permanent safer space ban of an individual or individuals would be brought to the delegates meeting for a vote.

• • • Ryan: Would like to clarify that a member does not have to go back to their collective. But someone who is not a member does not currently have that ability
    • Niki: also sometimes members don't feel comfortable asking other members of their collective to leave the space
    • DK: This came about because a pattern of behavior was revealed. People from multiple collectives were experiencing this abuse. This created a large group of people suffering the same abuse. This gives a formal means for recognizing patterns of abusive behavior rather than just having one on one mediations.
    • DK: I was sensitive to negative case issues. What if anonymous groups of people are banning other groups of people? We prevent that by having a group of people who are accountable, not anonymous
    • Emji: What are the time frames? Need that stated more clearly. Would want to know what CDC's process would be?
    • Ryan: The way the conflict mediation process currently is written, people don't have to directly engage. Also if the steward feels resolution is not possible, the conflict can be brought to the delegates meeting
    • Laura: the Omni conflict resolution policy doesn't change, this just gives the CDC the chance to kick off the process
    • DK: If a collective member feels like they can deal with the conflict on their own, or can go through their member collective, they should do that first
    • Ryan: Would like to propose a friendly amendment change "or" to "and/or"

YES: Emji TIL, Mary CCL, David Black hole, Niki La Commune, Kate BAPS, Helen FNB, Ali MPM Abstentions: Ryan (SUDO)

• • • PASSES****

Proposal: PHAT BEETS to join the Omni

Brought by La Commune on behalf of Phat Beets, 2/19,2015

The mission of Phat Beets Produce is to connect small farmers of color to urban communities through the creation of farmers markets, school produce stands, youth market gardens, csa’s, and community kitchens. Phat Beets Produce operates 2 farmers markets, a youth program, a double food stamp program, a youth business, and a small healthy food business incubation program. We also provide support and capacity building for the Self Help Hunger Program, The North Oakland Restorative Justice Council, and the Edible Parks Task Force. A majority of the collectives work is volunteer, with a few paid staff. In addition we run a youth program and youth business, so we would be able to bring more youth from the surrounding neighborhood into the space. Phat Beets Produce is looking for a small secure 1-­2 room office space for our 7 member food justice collective in North Oakland. In addition to an office space we are looking for 100 sq feet of storage for our farmers market equipment and small commercial refrigerator (we are currently collaborating with Helen from Food not Bombs on the OMNI walk in construction). We are able to pay upto $750 per month and provide targeted sweat equity support for political education events at the OMNI and committees pertaining to the walk­in fridges, commercial kitchen, and youth related activism. Our representatives are Toveo Hill and max cadji. We can be reached at market@phatbeetsproduce.org

• • • Mary - Is someone liaising w/them in regards to what they need to do to become a member
    • Niki- Phat Beets basically wants a straw poll on the above. Proposal should be brought back to other member collectives for deliberation. If you have questions about this group, email niki.shelley@gmail.com or market@phatbeetsproduce.org
    • DK: - Think they are flexible on space
    • Joe: Love Phat Beets, will bring in a new demographic that we haven't brought in yet. Do we know what's available?
    • Niki: Talked about storing umbrellas under the stairs, they additionally need some desk space
    • Laura: In the past these conversations have taken a really long time. Is there a way we can move this forward more quickly. Are there any real concerns we can address right now? For instance, I am concerned about the mold in the basement rooms. Also, BAPS uses the basement rooms for classes
    • DK: One question to ask them is what their timeline is. With regard to the basement rooms, probably the drywall needs to be ripped out. Would be a good opportunity to do the work that needs to be done on the basement rooms. Also garbage should go in that NW corner room (where the old bike kitchen is). Legally can't keep the garbage in the hallway.
    • In the proposal that Phat Beets sent there's a 4 minute video that's worth watching

Proposal: Ban Perfume from the Omni

• • • Ryan: Almost had an asthma attack when someone sprayed perfume the other day
    • Niki: Wondering if it could be phrased in a way that feels less like a rule and allows for the possibility that people might make an honest mistake
    • Ryan: Let's just add this to the ban on candles and perfumes
    • Helen: Someone would be an idiot to spray perfume into a crowd. What about other cosmetics
    • Ryan: Some people would like the Omni to be completely scent free.
    • Emji: Candles are an issue of safety, this is an issue of accessibility. I've been working with people to create signage. Maybe this could be added to the language around accessiblity in the safe space policy.
    • David: When the candles proposal was brought it was discretely about safety. But before that I had requested that people not do that. Not saying that we have to follow that model here. It's not a ban, it's just a rule that we can't have open flames. The more we characterize things in positive terms, ie: asking people to be respective of space and people in the space, helps to alleviate the psychic weight of having people live under a ton of prohibitions.
    • Ryan: I do want to make it clear that this was not the first time this happened, just the most serious. I had asked people beforehand not to use these products
    • Laura: adding support for not spraying perfume into the air. Important to put it on a sign. Would that be adequate.
    • Ryan: Yes, would also like to see a sign about consensus around touching
    • Kevin: Reframe as Omni being a scent free zone with the option that people inform the commons if they intend to use scents in the space
    • Ryan: I would like people to put these forward a week in advance. It shouldn't just be on the calendar.
    • Kevin: what if this was a question on the /occupy form and then the point person was responsible for sending this to the discuss list
    • Ryan: if scents are being used, they can impact the whole Omni
    • Niki: maybe we should ask people to not smoke outside of the Omni
    • Emji: would it be possible to take this back to Sudo room to see if they'd be interested in re-writing the proposal as part of the safe space policy
    • Ryan: this is an emergency situation
    • Emji: We should make a proposal for edits to the safer space policy
    • Helen: Do you have a sentance to add now?
    • Laura: Proposes: Adding perfume and burning scents under accessiblity and add to the signs "No spraying perfume"
    • Ryan: Propose that the delegates meeting extend sudo's ban for one week
    • Mary: can you read what was consented on by Sudo room?
    • Ryan: reads Sudo's provisional ban
    • Kevin: plan is that there will be a 1 week ban on perfumes
    • Ryan: I am going to come up with a more formal proposal to edit the safer space policy.
    • Nick: What happens when someone unknowingly commits a mistake

Tabled

• • Announcement from the Bay Area Public School that we're behind on our payments of share expenses and insurance

Thursday, February 19, 2015 (UPDATED THURSDAY FEB. 26th, 2015)

The Bay Area Public School's central purpose is and has always been to provide a venue for free, learner-directed classes on as wide a range of topics as people can think up. We take the idea of "free" very seriously, and so we've created an environment that goes beyond being nominally free of charge and seeks to prefigure a learning community beyond financial pressures, with the attendant guilt and shame that can come along with them. To this end, it's been a longstanding practice that no one will pass the hat or otherwise solicit funds at any of our classes or public events. Alongside that, we've maintained a policy of non-incorporation. Individuals associated with us have procured grants and donated to BAPS, but our central goal has been the creation of a de-centered group of community supporters.

These practices continue to be debated, challenged, and revised. Nonetheless, the reality is that despite our continuing efforts and a significant cadre of monthly supporters, we are currently unable to meet the financial obligations to the Omni that we've committed to, namely our shared expenses. In an effort to be transparent about what share of the Omni's rent and expenses we've been paying, we want to make known that we're behind on our payments of the following shared expenses and insurance payments: December ($512.13), January ($433.72) and Insurance through June ($445.04). Through a series of conversations among our organizers, we went from seeking to lower our rent to deciding upon radical transparency and openness about our situation, how we raise funds and how we might improve our current financial situation. We strive to support the Omni financially while continuing to strengthen and discuss our anti-capitalist praxis. We'd like to invite anyone from the Omni who is interested in this discussion to join us at one of our bi-monthly organizing meetings. Our next meeting will be March 5th, 6-7pm. In the following weeks and months we'll begin to work towards financial stability with regards to our rent + expenses through different strategies to raise money, and to hopefully begin to pay what we currently owe to the OOC.