TWO PROPOSALS

[SWhitford]

1.  Each individual should be limited to membership in only TWO committees.  This will prevent any conflict of interest that may arise.

 

2. There should be an open forum discussion seperate from the GA.  Perhaps we could have them at the HQ or the Horse starting at 6:00 p.m. every night where people can air their grievances and discuss them.  That way the GAs will run more smoothly and be shorter.

 

These are my two proposals and I hope to present them tomorrow.

[Rojo]

Oh, Hell yeah I agree with this. Nothing more to say. 

[TheRealCitzUnited]

I like this proposal. I also like the proposal that suggested breaking up GAs into topics and allowing more time for "soap box."

 

 

SWhitford said:

1.  Each individual should be limited to membership in only TWO committees.  This will prevent any conflict of interest that may arise.

 

2. There should be an open forum discussion seperate from the GA.  Perhaps we could have them at the HQ or the Horse starting at 6:00 p.m. every night where people can air their grievances and discuss them.  That way the GAs will run more smoothly and be shorter.

 

These are my two proposals and I hope to present them tomorrow.

[Ukla]

I would definitely like to see these proposals discussed.  

[Joshua]

Sara.. First off it was good to finally meet tonight.  Always nice to put a face with a name.

Secondly, just wanted to ask for some clarification about how you feel people being in multiple committees leads to (or has the potential for) conflicts of interest.  Maybe share some example scenarios.

Also, just a few thoughts...  I can also potentially see value in capping committee memberships to 1) limit power consolidation, 2) make space for others to serve, 3) focus our skills and expertise, 4) hopefully diminish fatigue and burnout.

Regarding the second proposal.  Occupy Wall Street & NYC GA, provide open Soapbox after GA has adjourned. Those who need to leave can, others can stay if they want. Obviously it's a little different for us because we march to our GA and then disperse.  But I definitely like that you're thinking through other ways to provide a forum for people to speak, that would also slim down the GA. That would help relieve some of the tensions that are arising.

[SWhitford]

Specifically, I'd like the soapbox to begin before the GA that way people are standing out in the cold until midnight.

In my personal opinion, the soapbox should begin at 6:00 p.m. and anybody should be allowed to speak about anything as long as it is not hate speech or any other FAIR conditions that others deem necessary.

I feel that individuals being in ALL the committees leads to conflicts of interest and interpersonal struggles because some individuals just joining the movement may feel that committee members who are in numerous committees have too much power and are not relinquishing enough to the newer individuals who show up.

For full disclosure:  I am in several committees and am more than willing to step down from all but two of them as long as there is full disclosure and transparency within ALL committees. 

I believe when the new website is rolled out and each committee has its own page, this will increase transparency, but I also believe that each committee should have its own facebook page.  This will make it easier for people, as many people already know how to use facebook and some people may have issues using a forum or remembering to go to the website every day.

[SWhitford]

Additonally- to prevent the argument that some may use and say "if I am not involved with this committee, nothing will get done because no one is stepping up".  I propose this:

 

Let's have a commitee day!  You know, like the first day of school.  Committee members from every committee can have a little area/booth/table and sign people up for committees, explain what the committees do and what projects the committees currently are working on and what help they need. 

 

That way we can get the newer people integrated into the committee system and people will know exactly what the committees do and it can be a little committee fair.

 

Full Disclosure:  I heard someone mention this at GA last night int he crowd, I didn't grab the person's name or even remember if the person was a male or female, but I thought the idea was excellent, so if that person is reading this- **fist bump**

[SWhitford]

Sorry for spamming this thread, but I'm going to leave this link here:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.....re_Debates



Chicago has a rich history of "soapbox" speaking.  Let's stay true to our past.  :)

[Rojo]

I think the idea of a "committee day" is a step in the right direction. It just seems to me that there is so much confusion as to who is doing what. Something like this may go a long way to strengthening ties between the committees so that when someone new comes along with a good idea, the response will not be "Join a committee/email someone" but rather "that's a good idea. Let me get in touch with ______ and have them get back to you." Emails often get overlooked for a number of reasons. But a call from friend/compatriot might get that person to listen to a new idea.