Does Conflict Resolution take away voting privileges?

[DanK42]

Greetings All,

I have recently heard of some issue that Conflict Resolution is handling and my understanding is that a member of Occupy Chicago, that is accused of some violation had his voting privileges revoked and has been banned from attending the Housing Committee meetings.

I'm concerned with this matter, as even in American Government your voting rights are not taken away for having been accused of a crime. I do not believe anyone has the right to take away someones right to vote. Especially, if it has not been voted on by the GA.

My understanding is that a vote within the committee of it's 9 members at the time, removed and revoked this individuals right to vote and participate in the committee. People are not appointed to committees and there are no leaders, so how can a self appointed committee with no leaders have the right to kick someone out without bringing it before the GA? It seems inappropriate that a vote of 9 people can remove an individual from participation. Especially, when he happens to be saying things people don't like? Seems awfully strange that the voice of descent is simply removed? I thought this is what we were fighting against?

[Ella Mae]

We are still working on a proposal to bring to the GA, on how to handle serious issues, so whatever it is you may have heard, I doubt it was handled by our committee. However I will bring this up an the next meeting to see if anyone has any information.

[DanK42]

Interesting. So Conflict Resolution did not back Housings decision to remove someone from the Housing Committee and revoke his voting privileges?

It is my understanding from several parties that Conflict Resolution is working to moderate the circumstances mentioned, but I understand there can be communication breakdowns.

Additionally, are the matters that Conflict Resolution handles posted in some public area for review by the GA? I thought that these matter were handled on the forum to maintain transparency. As I would certainly like to know the specifics on this issue.

Thanks for the quick response .

[Ella Mae]

Hi Dan, I looked into this and you are correct, some members of CRC are working with this committee. However the vote to remove the person from Housing was Housing's decision, and done by a 9/10 vote.

Conflict Resolution Committee does not have the power, and does not want the power, to remove anyone's privileges. As far as the GA, as I said we are working on a proposal to present to the GA, however this proposal would only be a vehicle for presenting serious "offenses" to the GA. Serious offenses would be things such as violence, threat of violence, sexual harassment, open use of alcohol/drugs, and the like. It is still a work in progress.

Once an issue is presented to the GA, it would be up to a 9/10 vote to remove a person, not Conflict Resolution. And - this is important - a recommendation to remove a member would only be a last resort.

I urge you to join the committee if you would like to have input and further information. As I'm sure you know, there are more difficulties with communication than with transparency. I am going to be the "Triage" person for conflicts - to gather information and help figure out who might be able to help. Of course things often happen 'on the ground' which a Security person or Conflict Res. person would then jump in and handle to the best of their ability. We hope to have trainings in the future on this.

If you know the person(s) involved and they would like any kind of help or support, or anyone else, please let them know they can contact me. My name is Ruth and I am a licensed social worker. I can discuss confidentiality with anyone who is interested in remaining anonymous.

Feel free to let people know they can call or text me at: (312)810-2601
and you can call also, if you'd like.

Ruth

[DanK42]

Thank you Ruth, I'm confused though, are you Ella Mae or Ruth . Or is Ella Mae just a nickname or are you temporarily using her handle?

As for the matter in question, I do believe that Conflict Resolution is doing a fine job. However, I think that there are a number of issues with the Housing Committee. Perhaps you could join us on Wednesday at 9pm at McDonalds for the Housing Meeting and see for yourself. I have already approached these matter with Housing which more or less claims there is no issue. I mentioned it at GA with opposition from Housing but support from several others at GA that felt similar issues with committees. I do believe that, in general there is a consistent breakdown in the horizontal structure, many seem to think time involved provides authority and statements from new voices seem to be shunted with statements of a lack of information, intentional disruption and in some cases provocation. After reviewing the minutes from the evening many of these instances are simply not being documented. Here is a copy of my statement to the GA regarding the Housing Committee meeting on 11/23, during my presentation at GA I was interrupted several times by many of the same members:

On last Wednesday I attended the housing meeting that was announced to be meeting during the GA at 8PM on Wednesday, to vote on the place we would be renting. That brought up the first issue, it is my belief that NO meeting should be held during the GA. This keeps people from attending one of the meetings and more importantly not allowing them to vote at both. Upon arrival there were not multiple choices of locations but rather one location on Cermak , that myself and several others believe is not fit for human habitation. This idea was met with profound aggression, name calling, statements of infiltration and even some talk of violence. I have since become active in the committee and time and time again I'm told that I do not have a right to challenge things as I have just arrived and have no seniority or time involved yet. It is my understanding that EVERY VOICE IS EQUAL IN THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT! Though I appreciate the time people invest in the Movement, that does not buy senority!! Anyone at anytime, should be able to enter a committee and vote against something without being accused of infiltration, not enough information or otherwise. The committee seems to be avoiding transparency, yet complaining that I say this...despite the fact that they admittedly do not put the information on the forum because they do not want the public or powers that be to see what is going, because they say those powers may stop us from renting. Personally, I believe that if we have a property owner that supports us, it doesn't matter who knows what we are doing and if the property owner won't support us due to some pressure, then we wouldn't want it anyway. Remember, if the powers that be want to mess with us, it will happen anyway and a Google Group is not going to change that. However it will keep YOU THE PEOPLE from being able to see what is going on. In conclusion, I encourage everyone to attend the Housing meeting at 8pm on Sunday for another vote on location. Sadly, I must also encourage you to either leave the GA early to attend this meeting or ask that this meeting be rescheduled for a time that does not conflict with GA.

Thank you for your thoughts and considerations on this matter.

[Ella Mae]

My real name is Ruth, my screen name is Ella Mae.

I know it's very frustrating, what's going on in housing. We are aware of the conflicts and some committee members are going to be at each housing meeting. We are also hoping to get one of our volunteer professional mediators to help out at some point.

I don't know if I, personally, will be going to the meeting Wednesday. But keep in mind that how a committee is run is up to that committee and I don't think anyone wants to start imposing rules from outside. I know this is a crucial time for Housing and I am assuming eventually the final decisions will be by 9/10 vote. Try to be patient and keep in mind this is all new to everyone and we are experiencing growing pains. I don't know of any organization, agency, or group that has had completely smooth sailing! Hang in there.

Ruth