Proposal for Accessibility and Space Allocation at Cermak

[TreensforArts]

This proposal sets into motion a plan for creating accessibility and space reservations at our 500 Cermak spaces. It is not intended to necessarily be permanent or limiting, but to instead move us forward in our organization of this space as soon as possible and to create opportunities within the space. It is very much open for discussion and friendly ammendments and idea, however it will be brought before the GA ASAP so that we can get that space open and accessible as soon as possible. Please leave any and all concerns here and please try to phrase them constructively! thanks.

PROPOSAL----------------

ACCESS:
Cermak Unit 700 is to be open and accessible to all curious public and occupiers (excluding media for whom the previous GA decision stands) from 10am-10pm every day. This will be facilitated by the organizational committee. At all ‘open hours (being 10am-10pm), there is to be one previously determined volunteer (either a member of organization or an individual who volunteers for a shift) designated as the ‘Person on duty’ or ‘PoD’ who is responsible for watching over the space and acting as key holder during that time. This duty can and should rotate in shifts between people, as long as there is someone there at all times. This ensures that the space is never left empty and open. This person’s name is to be posted in a determined location, so as to make them accessible when needed and maintain a log of who was ‘on duty’ when. Organization is to be given two sets of keys so as to help them organize key pick-ups for closing and opening and to ensure that there is always a set of keys in the space in the possession of the ‘PoD’ during ‘open’ hours.

GA approves funding for the cost of a phone line to for 700. This telephone number will be connected to the downstairs dial-up system, allowing organization to buzz people into the building. It can also be used when needing to contact organization at the space. This phone is a local line only and not for personal use except in emergency situations. The line would cost a minimum of $33.99 for the first month and $23.99 for each month after, and a maximum of $45/mo plus an installation fee(dependant on whether we can register it as a residential line) plus a one time installation fee. Service provider options are below

Unit 501 is to be open and accessible only for meetings and events. Occupiers who would like to meet in 501 during ‘open’ hours should see the ‘PoD’ to have the space unlocked. The space will remain unlocked whenever meetings are occurring and be locked again when they are over and the space is left.

Any meetings or events scheduled outside of ‘open’ hours are responsible for coordinating with Organization and/or key holders to arrange for the space to be unlocked and accessible at the appropriate time AND locked at the end of the event or meeting.

All meetings occurring in 501 at any given time should be posted on a ‘meetings happening in 501 right now’ board that will be created and displayed in 700 during all open hours. This promotes transparency and coordination, and encourages new faces to join working groups.

Clarification—This proposal does not prevent us from investing in a keypad in the future if the GA desires. It creates a less-expensive, transparent, and user friendly system for space accessibility. Keypads are an alternative solution that can supplement this process in the future—however this proposal addresses the concern that accompanies both keys and potentially keypads which is: who has the key/code and who decides that.

SPACE USAGE/SIGN-UP/EVENT CALENDAR:

All OC events and meetings are to be posted on the event calendar that will be created and displayed in 700 as soon as they are scheduled. This will prevent overlapping of large events and double bookings of space. Listed events should be written in the appropriate color (as there will be one for events and one for meetings) and include the times (with set up and tear down time noted if they will be necessary), the desired space and an individual or committee contact for communication about the event.

Space will be reserved by writing the events onto the calendar. Available spaces are: 700-GA, 501-main, 501 front, and the three (3) 501 booths (not including the locked center booth).

Rooms may be switched from those listed if an event’s size or public awareness/presence dictates this to be appropriate. Priority for room 700-GA will go to those events that are expected to be very large in size and/or highly publicized public gatherings (examples include but are not limited to GAs, open houses, press conferences, outreach events, Arts events, Etc). Priority for 501 main space goes to large semi-public events if GA space is not available. Please reserve desired rooms with this in mind (if you can use a booth, plan to use a booth, etc.). IN ORDER TO SWITCH ROOMS—the person requesting the switch must contact the person who previously reserved the space and ask if they are willing to switch. It is asked that all parties consider the larger picture of the needs of each event, respect those that were organized first, and if it can not be resolved between individuals through switching spaces, times, or dates, to seek aid from a 3rd party moderator or conflict resolution.

This information will be displayed in some format on or around the calendar.

This system is purposely not an online system. Because the space will be open 12 hours a day, access to sign up for spaces is easy. Any committee or working group only needs to send one rep down to put it on the calendar, or ask a friend at the space to do it for them. Or in a real bind they could call the phone line and ask the PoD very nicely to put it on the calendar for them. An online system creates problems by issuing usernames and passwords in order to ensure security, this limits who is given access to this schedule and who is not. It creates a set of hoops for people to jump through in order to use the space, making it less accessible for use. Then, in order to make this schedule visible and transparent within occupy, someone would need to be tasked with keeping the calendar in the space up to date. This system bypasses both of those concerns. This proposal is open to friendly amendments of how this system could be supplemented with an online system that works into it in order to allow for both methods of space reservation.

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More information on PHONE SERVICES OPTIONS:


Cricket: MOBILE
35$/mo
no contract. No installation
Phone cost $30
Could use our own phone but It would have to be a phone that doesn't have a sim card to try to use it, and the store would have to flash the phone.

ATT&Comcast require contracts

Sage Telecom: Landline. We’d need to find a phone
Residential:
First month $35-45. $23/mo after.
Business:
$45/mo + installation

Magic Jack and other internet based services are only an option once we have internet in the space that is high enough speeds to handle the video upload and usage that will be required and the phone line.