Updated: #Occupy Chicago: Functionality, Adaptability & Sustainability Act (OCFAS)

[nouveauphoto]

Project Proposal: #Occupy Chicago: Functionality, Adaptability & Sustainability Act (OCFAS)

Prepared for: #Occupy Chicago Committee Members & Occupy Chicago Members
Prepared by:  Marcus Williams, Media Committee

 

October 16, 2011
Proposal number: 000-00003

 

Executive Summary

Objective

The overall objective of OCFAS Act is to offer a practical solution of functionality, adaptability and sustainability for the #Occupy Chicago Movement for not just the short term, but the long term through: accountability, transparency and integrity for all current and new coming Occupy Chicago members. Since this is the testing stage of this act / proposal, it will remain an open-solution based system that is always open to upgrading, reforming and transparency for the benefit of all, not just the few.  

***All members could get an identification card, demonstrating that they are apart of the movement and would commit to an all-inclusive based contract which states they would uphold all Occupy Chicago values with integrity and respect. Committee members would have to sign a second contract if they deal with finances, for transparency and liability reasons.***

Goals

The goal of the OCFAS Act is provide access of resources for operations, survival, transportation, housing and education to all committee teams and members of the Occupy Chicago Movement. 

Solution

The solution is to demonstrate not only to Occupy Chicago Members, Governmental, Financial, Educational, Health and Political Institutions that we are willing, able to reform our current capitalist-based system or create a new all inclusive-based system which encompasses all majority of our needs for survival, for growth, for  safety, for security, freedom, justice and equality through an voluntary contribution from all its members. 

How do we implement the OCFAS Act:

If each of the Occupy Chicago Members gave an voluntary contribution of $5 or $10, a month towards  resources for operations, survival, transportation, education for the long-term, the movement will be not just productive, but transparent, accountable and would work. 

For example, the facebook.com/occupychicago fan page states that we have 21,500 people who support the movement or are members. For this example, let’s take 15% of that number which leaves 3,225 members. If all members adopted the OCFAS Act for implementation and each member voluntary contribute $5 or $10 dollars 

If we contributed $5 dollars per month X 3,225 members = 16,125 dollars per month.

If we contributed $10 dollars per month X 3,225 member = 32,250 dollars per month.

Towards resources for operations, survival, transportation, education for the long-term as practical solution of functionality, adaptability and sustainability for the #Occupy Chicago Movement. 

OCFAS Act FAQs:

 

Q: How will there be transparency in this system? 

A: For example, if the education committee needed to buy supplies, or books the secretariat committee would allocate funds towards that committee while noting who, how much and where this funding was being used for. Also, it will require them to bring a / or receipts to show what was bought the change returned and the tax of that or many transactions. In addition, if Occupy Chicago invested in a prepaid credit card for the committees and labeled each card for: operations, survival, transportation, housing and education. We could still keep track of where, how, and who spent what and on what. 

Q: What if someone commits theft / fraud or some other type of crime within the organization?

A: Then the secretariat would work with the security and operations committees, to build evidence with contract the member or members undertook, accumulate all receipts involved in that particular incident and at our GA, they will bring all this information forth towards the defendant. Next, the defendant will get to make their case. After both sides have presented their case. All members of Occupy Chicago will weigh the outcome of the presented evidence. They will decide as a democracy and vote if this person should be suspended from the organization, jailed or written up. 

[occupyguy]

Do we even have an organization formed that can manage these funds?  I don't even know who or what has been appointed the responsibility of managing the funds.   Is the money going to be managed in good faith or are there fiduciary duties outlined in a charter somewhere?   What is the money needed for?

[blacklite911]

I'm down as long as paying members don't get any preferential treatment. Maybe they get a special button or something but thats it.

 

Also, the secretariat already has too much responsibility and power as it is. You obviously don't know how many people have problems with how the agenda is made. Putting this on them is only going to create more of a hierarchy perception than there already is. If this were to pass, I would propose a secondary treasury committee to handle the funds. Or have a representative from every committee in to be on the treasury committee, no one can represent more than one committee. A legal team member is a MUST on this one.

 

As to why we need funds; I would suppose that the mobile wifi we use to live stream cost money right? Food costs money, printing costs money. Venues that can be used for hosting teach-ins cost money. A PA system that would help us eliminate the need for a human mic costs money. Housing can costs money. Supplies for arts cost money. Right now we operate based purely on random donations. From what I read, this act is for sustainability of the movement. Random donations aren't sustainable.

 

For transparency, we can have a legder which would be readable online that says how much money we have and what withdrawn money would be used for.

 

Last concern is; Have we applied for not-for profit status yet? This is essential to how we manage funds.

[nouveauphoto]

It doesn't have to be the secretariat first of all. Second, I do know what I am talking about. Third, this plan like I said before is a "act / proposal, it will remain an open-solution based system that is always open to upgrading, reforming and transparency for the benefit of all, not just the few." Therefore, its open to being refined. You have nothing to fear, if everything we do is out in the open for everyone to know. That is transparency. Those who fear it, obviously, have something to hide, from the rest, or have hidden motives. Occupy Chicago is about integrity, honesty, love, cooperation and transparency.

I disagree with the statement, Random donations aren't sustainable. Because, if you so-called loved this movement and commit to the well-being of occupy chicago and volunteered to donate every month which I am committed to doing, and if all members are. Then they will always stay afloat, don't worry. Be happy. All things are possible, you have to just believe they are. And have the tenacity to stick with it. And that proves, always true. 

But I do agree, we should have a ledger to read online accessible in pdf format through the site. I agree, that in itself is transparent.  

[nameredacted]

I second the notion of a treasury committee that is not of its own creation, but is instead a collective of members from every committee. It is absolutely vital that we work together as a group to manage our assets; if we were to establish a fully-functioning treasury committee separate from the committees we now possess, I feel we would simply be emulating the very things we are now standing against.

[SavageButtonGuy]

All I can really say about this is that I have already been donating supplies and outreach media that probably have a worth of at least $200, so I have no problem making a monthly $5 or $10 donation. 

I don't see what we would need this much money for though. From what I understand the $10,000 we have raised in less then a month has barely been touched. Even though we do have things we could use those funds for.

[amidala]

I think this sounds like a great idea.... I hope it can work.  

[blacklite911]

I think the reason why majority of the funds haven't been touched is because we haven't decided on how to use it yet. Thats the thing about a purely grassroots entity, you kinda have to make it up as you go.

 

To be clear, when I said random donations, I meant depending on spontaneous people off the street and on the internet. I would call this proposal the opposite of random donations. I too would be willing to commit every month.

I saw a story today that OWS has $300k in their account thats not gonna be touched until they figure out what to do with it. I say keep it practical.

[McCarter]

This is a logical next step.  I can support this.  Still some kinks to work out, but we need to get the financial backing built up to survive the winter.  Key themes in this post are transparency, transparency, transparency.

[xfilteroneb]

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