#Occupy Wall Street

PROPOSAL FOR THE NYC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

INTERNET WORKING GROUP

We in the Internet Working Group feel that establishing and maintaining a strong presence on the web is essential to the future sustainability and success of OccupyWallStreet here at Liberty Plaza. The very nature of the internet places a huge amount of importance on the domain name where a website resides. While we are very happy with our current nycga.net site, this site is at a relatively obscure domain name and is very focused as a collaboration tool and resource for those involved with the movement. We feel strongly that the GA and OccupyWallStreet also need a separate site to function as the outward-facing web presence of the occupation. We have many exciting plans for what such a site can become, some of which are already under development. Until now, though, we had no place to put it online. Most of the high-profile and obvious choices for domains are currently owned and controlled by an affinity group and Adbusters, an outside entity. In both cases, while the sites at these domains have been supporting the movement and raising its profile online, the content and direction of the sites is neither accountable nor transparent to the GA and they are entirely outside of the GA’s control. We wish the affinity group well with their site, and want to avoid any confrontation or disagreement that would jeopardize our solidarity or unity.

We therefore feel that it is time that the GA and the occupation have our very own high-profile domain that can serve as the official online source of GA news, press releases, curated content, and much more. It is with this goal that we have arranged the purchase of the domain OccupyWallStreet.net. After many phone calls and negations with the current owner of the domain, we have settled on a price of $8000. While this may seem like a large number to some, it is actually extremely reasonable considering the traffic that such a domain could generate and the amount of donations income that is sure to follow. In other words, this site will pay for itself in no time.

Currently, the domain has been removed from the market after a member of the Internet Working Group put a 10% deposit down on the domain via personal credit card to assure that it would not be sold to someone else and potentially used against us before this proposal was able to come to the GA tonight. When the sale is complete, the domain will be legally owned by the unincorporated organization known as Occupy Wall Street and will thus belong to not one individual, but all of us together. Its use and future will be administrated by the Internet Working Group and will therefore be directly accountable, transparent, and open to the GA.

We would like to find consensus on this financial proposal to secure for us all the kind of online presence this movement deserves.

Voting Experiment

A Project of the Political and Electoral Reform Working Group

Request for Funds from the General Assembly: $538

Project Spokespersons for Questions and Updates:

Kay @kaay

Tim @timtpi

Stefan Agapie @stefan

Political and Electoral Reform Working Group Proposal for Alternative Voting Experiment

The PERWG is devoted to investigating and exploring reforms that would lead to a more direct democracy and a more representative government. Among these potential reforms are recommendations to states and localities to experiment with alternative voting methods such as ranked choice voting, range voting and approval voting. There are not very many concrete experiments that have been conducted comparing and contrasting these voting systems and methods with plurality voting, the most common method employed in the United States.

We have therefore begun preliminary work for an experiment that would allow our working group to collect data on how different voting methods and systems affect the outcome of votes on a variety of issues. This would require participants in the GA and the people of Liberty Plaza to cast votes at their leisure in a series of mock ballots on a variety of issues, that our group will organize and set up in the square. We seek a consensus of the GA in support of our experiment to ensure that we there will be enough individuals who participate and enough data collected to be able to draw reasonably scientific conclusions from the results.

Background

There has been long-standing consensus among experts that “first-past-the-post” voting used in US public elections mathematically favors a two-party system, and that other voting structures (ranked voting, instant runoff, and approval voting are just a couple of the examples) actually allow for minority voices to influence election results in a way that is far more democratic.

Each of the different voting models currently have their own supporters, however no one has ever done the types of large scale mock election experiments that would actually show these theoretical models in action. That’s the challenge – stop bickering about which model is better and SHOW which model is better!

Detailed Project Specifications

The PERWG has employed the expertise of a programmer, a database expert, and an expert in voting system design to develop this voting experiment. The programming was done in objective-c and using the cocoa touch framework to create the user interface. The data will initially be stored as binary code, concurrently the data will also be stored as pure text in Unicode. The data will eventually be stored in a SQL database to allow for easy data handling and analysis.

Our needs

An iPad (retail value $499, total $538 with tax)

The iPad will be programmed specifically to function as a mobile “voting booth” which will run the voting experiment and collect votes. Vote collection will be done by PERWG volunteers on-site at Zucotti Park on a regular to daily basis, with detailed data and analysis published on our website. An administrative protocol will be devised by volunteers to ensure that members of the public do not vote more than once.

As the main programming and development for the project is well underway, the PERWG will be able to begin testing the Voting Experiment within 2-3 days of obtaining a suitable iPad.

All members of the GA will be invited to participate in and follow the results of the experiment. The PERWG would like to continue experimenting with voting methods on an ongoing basis and eventually become an in-house mobile polling center for #OWS.

We demand a massive, democratically-controlled public works and public service program, with direct government employment, to create 25 million new jobs at good union wages. This is to be paid for by new taxes on the wealth and income of the rich, on financial transactions, and on corporate profits, by reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act, as well as by ending all U.S. wars, disbanding mercenaries, ending aid to authoritarian regimes, and closing overseas military bases. The new jobs will aim to radically expand access to education, healthcare, housing, mass transit, and clean energy – and are to be open to all, regardless of immigration status or criminal record.

OWS Structure Proposal       

(A Living Document) — Submitted by the Structure Working Group

Since September 17^th Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has grown and inspired occupations around the globe. The General Assembly (GA) is at the heart of this movement.  It provides a forum for political discussion and a plurality of ideas. It is, however, struggling to meet the day-to-day operational needs of the Working Groups and Caucuses.

CHALLENGES: (Identified in discussions in the GA, Working Groups, and Caucuses)

• Access: The GA is a difficult place for new people to find a Working Group or Caucus they want to join
• Transparency: There is a lack of transparency about the on-going activities of the Working Groups
• Participation: There is little space within the GA for Working Groups and Caucuses to effectively communicate their needs, either to the broader movement or with each other.  Many of the groups doing the day-to-day work of the occupation no longer regularly attend the GA.
• Functionality: Decisions take so long to be made in the GA that there is insufficient time to address the many needs of our Working Groups, and the Working Group members are often left feeling unsupported
• Decision Making: Attendance at the GA fluctuates from night to night, which makes it difficult to make well-informed, consistent, and strategic decisions
• Accountability: There is no accountability for the spending of finances granted by the GA
• Marginalization: Some Caucus members do not feel that the GA is an empowering space for marginalized voices
• Time for Visioning: Broader political and community visions are rarely discussed in the GA because it is consistently bogged-down with logistical and financial decisions
• Trust and Solidarity: The GA does not currently offer its participants the time to get to know each other and build meaningful relationships

In order to address these problems, while maintaining the non-hierarchical nature of OWS, we propose that, in addition to the General Assembly (GA), we create a directly democratic Spokes Council of Operations Groups and Caucuses.

PROPOSAL:

The Structure Working Group recommends the following definitions:

Occupy Wall Street Operations Groups (OGs) are groups that are contributing to the logistical and financial operations of Occupy Wall Street on a consistent basis. They are open and accessible for people to join and can only exclude people for either repeatedly disrupting the group’s process or behaving in such a way that seriously violates the GA’s Principles of Solidarity. Operations Groups must produce a written description of what they do and how people can get involved.  The Occupiers (people living in Liberty Park) are defined as an Operations Group.

Occupy Wall Street Movement Groups (MGs) are groups that are contributing to the Occupy Wall Street movement. They are autonomous and may partner with Operations Groups on a project basis.

Caucuses are self-determining groups of people that share a common experience of being systemically marginalized in society at large.  This marginalization may be based on, but not limited to, their real or perceived race, gender identity, sexuality, age, or ability.

The General Assembly

The GA will continue to have the power to make all decisions about

• The representation of OWS as a whole (declarations, principles, visions)
• The relationship between OWS and the Occupy Movement
• Financial decisions related to the Occupy Movement as a whole
• Dissolution of the Spokes Council with at least one week notice prior to the proposal. This notice must be given in both the GA and the Spokes Council.

 The Occupy Wall Street Spokes Council

A Spokes Council is structured similar to the spokes of a wheel:  It is designed to combine large group participation (like in the GA) with small group deliberation and consensus process.

• Each group selects a “spoke” to sit with the other “spokes” in a circle in the middle of the meeting space, with the rest of their group sitting right behind them
• Spokes have no authority and are not decision-makers. They actively discuss all agenda items with all other members of their group who have joined them for the Spokes Council.
• Spokes are responsible for communicating any diversity of sentiments that may exist within their group to the rest of the spokes council
• Spokes rotate at every meeting, and can be recalled by their group at any time
• During Spokes Councils, individuals in multiple groups are free to sit with any group that they are a part of and to move around at will
• Movement Groups may partner with Operations Groups and/or Caucuses

Decisions & Decision-Making

• The four types of decisions that the Spokes Council attend to are:

1)   Decisions related to the logistical operation of Occupy Wall Street

2)   Approval of Occupy Wall Street budgets and expenditures

3)   The addition or subtraction of Operations Groups and Caucuses to the Spokes Council

• All Working Groups and Caucuses will be admitted to the Spokes Council that adhere to the above definitions of an Operations Group or Caucus and that agree to abide by the Principles of Solidarity adopted (as a working draft) by the GA [available at http://www.nycga.net/about/]
• The only reason a group may be asked to leave the Spokes Council is for either repeatedly disrupting the Spokes Council’s process or for behaving in a way that seriously violates the GA’s Principles of Solidarity

4)   Amendments to the functioning of the Spokes Council that do not alter the power of the GA

• Similar to the GA, Spokes Council decisions are made by modified consensus.  An attempt will be made to reach consensus and if consensus cannot be reached, a vote will be taken. At least 10% of the group must vote against a proposal in order for it to be rejected.
• Both proposals and blocks to proposals are brought to the Spokes Council by groups as a whole
• Caucuses may delay any proposal that they think has potentially negative consequences for their caucus until the next Spokes Council, in order to give them enough time to discuss the proposal with their caucus as a whole

• Anyone may attend a Spokes Council
• Anyone may participate in a Spokes Council by joining any Operations Group or Caucus in the Spokes Council and/or becoming an Occupier (i.e., living in Liberty Square)
• The Spokes Council will take place in a well-publicized indoor location
• Amplification and signing will allow everyone to follow the discussion, participate through their Spoke, and ensure that their Spoke correctly communicates the sentiment(s) of their group
• Each Spokes Council will be broadcast over the Livestream (http://www.livestream.com/occupynyc)
• Budget details and complete minutes from each Spokes Council will be posted on the NYCGA.net website through open-source technology
• All decisions made in the Spokes Council are reported back to the GA with space for questions and concerns

During the first Spokes Council, all Operations Groups and Caucuses will present a description of what they do and how people can become involved in their group. The rest of the groups in attendance will welcome them through the modified consensus process.  New groups may continue to propose themselves to the Spokes Council on an on-going basis.

• The GA will meet at 7pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
• The Spokes Council will meet at 7pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

BACKGROUND:

A spokes council is a structure that has been used widely by democratic movements since the Spanish Revolution and draws inspiration from many indigenous struggles, such as the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico. It was used effectively and for many years in the Women’s Movement, the Anti-Nuclear Movement, and the Global Justice Movement in the US.  It was also used effectively for years in China in the movement that grew out of Tiananmen Square.

History of This Proposal

This proposal has undergone many revisions, taking into account a wide range of concerns. It has been work shopped in the Facilitation Working Group; the 4 GA discussions; 2 large public meetings; 5 Structure Working Group meetings; and 4 Spokes Council “teach-in” discussions.

Questions and Concerns

Members of the Structure Working Group have been available from 2-5PM in the Atrium at 60 Wall Street to answer questions and concerns.  This will continue on October 27^th and 28^th.

We are also available at owsstructure@gmail.com.

Merchants Alliance Proposal – This is a draft for the GA – it has NOT been approved!

Some local merchants have been supporting us. To support them and keep access to facilities it would be helpful if we showed consistent consideration of their needs.

They are requesting that we:

• Look presentable meaning wearing shirts and shoes:

• Don’t eat outside food
• Don’t hang out more than 30 min
• Buy something if you are going to spend time more than just using bathrooms

I propose that Community Relations be empowered to hand out a flier explaining explaining what the GA has agreed in terms of treatment of local merchants that says:

The GA has come to a consensus on the following points. We will ask all Occupiers and allies to:

• Display non-violence, quietness, kindness and understanding at all times when dealing with our merchant neighbors, even when there is a dispute being discussed.
• Buy at least some product for each 1 hour we stay on merchant premises.
• Dress presentably including wearing shirts and shoes.
• Avoid consuming food and drink from outside.
• Remain awake while on merchant premises.

Public Relations working group is requesting $300 dollars for a wifi hotspot and laptop for the press desk:

Budget proposal:
20 bikes are to be donated by times us NYC. We are requesting $1220 for parts to fix the bikes to create a bike share for the use of all zucotti, run by sustainability.

Items needed:
Tires – 40 units – $20 each: $800
Tubes- 40 units – $5 each: $200
Cables & housing – 20 units – $4 each: $80
Brake pads – 20 units – $2: $40
Labor & food for production time – $100 total

GRAND TOTAL: $1220 requested

Please contact me if you need more info or there are any issues asap.

Thanks!
Sarah Baxendell
Finance engineer, sustainability working group, zucotti Ows

Community Relations proposes a partnership with the Street Vendor Project, a labor project that organizes food cart operators and defends them from city harassment. Through this partnership, they would set up a website that would allow people to support food vendors who have been negatively affected by our presence here by donating food to the occupation via online orders from the food vendors. The Street Vendor Project will facilitate placing the orders and getting them delivered to our kitchen, but take no cut for themselves. The labor and resources to set this up are all being donated.

We are currently in the process of planning Occupy Central Park, a one-day cultural event that will gather in Central Park on 11/11/11, the global day of solidarity. The event will not be a protest, but a people’s fair. We will have the chance to come together as the 100% to start building the foundation for this new, positive world which we dream of. We come here today to get the official support of OWS GA. So that we can make this as big and awesome as possible.

We propose that $20,000 for legal/medical plus 100 tents plus shipping costs be sent to our fellow occupiers in Oakland. Amended to include commitment to working with other occupations to set up a national emergency fund.

Need: Requesting funds to purchase SHELVES

Amount: $2500

In case you haven’t heard, people from across the world are big fans of ours. S.I.S. receives hundreds of packages for Occupy Wall Street every day. As we work hard to sort and deliver all of the shipments, we are working equally hard to organize the storage space for working group surplus. It is a large task. There is a lot of stuff! Before we can have the conversation about what to do with our surplus, it is important for us to know, exactly what we have. That is the “I” in S.I.S. : INVENTORY.

There have already been many generous donations of shelves. This is helping us turn unruly piles of supplies into a coherent stock room. This is essential if we are to tackle the massive and necessary task of taking inventory. We have 25 shelves in all, and they are all allocated to groups, with piles of supplies still covering the floor.

We are asking for $2500 to purchase more shelves. We would like to have them before the weekend as this is the only time that packages aren’t flooding in, and is most conducive to organization and counting. Based on our research this can be used, at least, to purchase and transport 20 more of the shelves we are currently using. We will wait to purchase these shelves until Friday. If we can find a better deal before Friday, we can always use more than 20 shelves. This will not only facilitate an efficient and accurate inventory, but will also create a more useful storage space for ALL working groups.

Thank you,

S.I.S.