Event:2014/09/13 Challenging Dominant Cultures

11:00 am at the Omni!

Agenda:

• Conflict resolution & safer space policies
• Educating ourselves & each other on systems of oppression
• Improving communication
• CDC mission statement and long-term goals
• Ban on Zach H

how to deal with the ban on zach

• Scott has been talking with TIL and other individuals who are close to the situation to solicit their feedback on what should happen to offer resolution to the Omni community.
• Once Scott has had a chance to compile the notes from his conversations, he will deliver them to the CDC.
• There was a suggestion to split new group from CDC to act as an "ombudscouncil" to deal with sensitive issues such as this one. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for the formation of such a group to recommend a course of action for the Omni based on the conversations that Scott has had.

safer space & conflict resolution

• "our evergreen agenda items"
• Based on conversation on the omni-logistics list regarding "reverse-isms," we recognize a need to have more conversations and continue to educate each other about systems of oppression in order for the safer space policy to be most effective.
• Everyone is invited to write our definitions of systemic racism and send them to omni-cdc@lists.riseup.net. At next week's meeting, we will compile/edit the definitions to post on the wiki and distribute.
• As well, we will devote a significant portion of the agenda for the delegate's meeting on Thursday, Sept 25 to discussing the safer space policy, including a discussion of why it's necessary to have such policies (i.e., intersecting systems of oppression that affect us all). Niki will work with Laura to possibly help facilitate.
• icarus project has a conflict resolution event at rock paper scissors. They may also be interested in hosting their collective mental health meetings at the Omni. Outreaching with them.

how to write a kind email

• We discussed the tension between online and in-person communication that has sometimes led to breakdowns in communication at the Omni.
• Given everyone's experiences with the omni-logistics listserv, we began compiling these guidelines for writing a kind email:
  • be generous, not curt
  • affirm the good things, don't just dismiss
  • follow up - don't just hit & run
  • be earnest, not sarcastic
  • respect other peoples' time - more emails means more work for everybody
  • "capitalist encroachment - the list is always on, must always be working"
  • when you don't hate somebody - remind them! otherwise they might worry

action items

• write statements: "what is racism?"
• niki will talk to laura about facilitating a delegates meeting devoted to safer space
• keep working on email suggestions list

capitalism and the ballroom

• yar is concerned about how we put the ballroom on the market. not many objections so far, just concerns.
• we should consider what communities these events might serve before pressuring them to monetize events which might otherwise be free. adding a pricetag raises the barrier to entry, makes events at the omni more exclusive. a necessary evil sometimes, but other times not worth the price.
• yar would like us to use our position to intervene against market forces, not reinforce them.