Meeting ODC Community Funding

[Ilana Alazzeh]

FYI

http://odccommunityfunding.wordpress.com/ 

This site has been set up by a small group of people who would like to see funds collected by Occupy DC distributed in a responsible, open and fair manner. We are working towards two aims:

• - Clarifying and publicising amounts held; bringing account holders together to make funds accessible to Occupy DC.

• - Organizing, publicising and hosting a large meeting to distribute funds.

Why?

A significant amount of donated cash is held in ODC accounts. Those with access to the accounts, and those members of ODC wanting funds, would like this money to be spent, rather than sit where it is.

Discussion as to how to spend the money—online and in small groups—has recently resulted in heresy, rumor, accusation, in fighting and impasse. A few people have expressed interest in wanting to organize an open, calm, informed in-person information session and discussion. We are now meeting as an affinity group to set that aim in motion.

We strongly feel that, as funds were solicited for meeting Occupier needs, there is a moral obligation to not burn or destroy funds, or to act without whole group agreement (or as close to that as we can possibly get) as to how funds should be distributed / spent.

However, this affinity group recognizes it has no right, ability or inclination to make “decisions” about funding distribution. We simply aim to bring all information and stakeholders together to resolve a fractious issue, for the good of our community.

An initial meeting was held 16 June 2012, at the Occupy DC office. In attendance was:
Siobhan McGuirk, Sam Jewler, Anne Meador, Mariah Blank, Jim Fussell, Carl McClinton, and Ben Lear (a visitor from the UK who helped facilitate).

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE:

THURSDAY 26 JUNE, 6PM
AT OCCUPY OFFICE (1112 16th St NW)

Best,
Ilana Alazzeh

[wm ub]

Hello, thank you for the attempt at transparency. We, Indigenous Nations Network and our friends had been very active at the outset and slowly was pushed out when we tried to participate and I came to many meetings and even offered a few prayers and songs on behalf of indigenous peoples. Our input into the declaration was minimized and be came a one liner. As many of us had done, we spent precious funds, which we don't have much of, to continue the out reach, for us, to many Native American/indigenous led organizations. And, yes, I watched the infighting and watched grown adult people scream at each other and watched our hard won victories degenerate into apathy and discontent and finally into eviction. I will try to attend and give my input, if not discounted again. Where do we go with this movement? We will continue doing the work of the occupy principles and educating the 99% of our struggles. Remember the Native American input and be aware that we are still at the bottom 1% of 99%. we had needed your support at many events and we got luke warm support, mostly lip service. At your service, Sincerely, 

William

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From: ilana....@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:43:23 -0400
Subject: Meeting ODC Community Funding
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