Post by laura on Jan 12, 2012 9:31:26 GMT -6
Here are some talking points that Communications worked up, in case anyone needs some help on how to talk about our status and/or communications policy.
1. The GA has been meeting regularly since 10/01/11 and then moved to meetings twice a week, Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, which continues to date. General assemblies are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend the meetings — Wed night at 7pm at Solidarity Square (Centennial Green) and Sat at 10am at Rudisill library.
2. Despite wild rumors in the national media, none of the association’s “members” are professional organizers nor are funded by any sources other than donations made by participants and fellow citizens. As all newly-formed organizations, the culture of Occupy Tulsa continues to develop and grow as citizens, some of whom have never even been involved in politics, come together and learn how to work with each other in respectful collaboration on something larger than the just movement in Tulsa.
3. (WITHOUT NAMING NAMES) To say there haven’t been personality conflicts since the beginning of October would be disingenuous; personality issues within any organization come up naturally as the interests and strengths of diverse members may not be an exact fit at first. However, the group has adopted guidelines defining respectful behavior within the context of disagreements to prevent similar issues from coming up again. While most participants have been willing to put aside there personal emotions and attempt to have meaningful dialogue with the others of the group, there have been people who have chosen to leave the association rather than abide the opinions and comfort level of others which were at odds with their own.
4. The remaining members of the association remain hopeful that everyone who has formally been involved will find common ground with the group and be able to unite under one Occupy Tulsa banner. Everyone who is willing to agree to and abide by the policies set by the group using “consensus-decision making process” is welcome to join or return. Until then, we’d hope that others claiming the ‘authority’ to speak for Occupy Tulsa without the consent of the general assembly of individuals will voluntarily stop confusing the media and public as to what Occupy Tulsa really is.
5. As defined by psychology.wikia.com, “Consensus decision-making” is a group decision making process that not only seeks the agreement of most participants, but also the resolution or mitigation of minority objections. Consensus is usually defined as meaning both general agreement, and the process of getting to such agreement. Consensus decision-making is thus concerned primarily with that process. By utilizing consensus decision-making, we are learning and improving our effectiveness because of the inclusion of more wide-spread points of view. This is leading to a stronger organization and the new policies make sure differing opinions can be handled smoothly until everyone participating feels comfortable giving their consent.
6. The “Occupy” movement has spread worldwide. Not only are there are other “Occupy” groups all over the United States but there are also groups forming all over Oklahoma in small towns and communities statewide. Representatives from all over the state have even come together to form a statewide General Assembly in order to align the entire state under one Occupy Oklahoma banner. In the meantime, Occupy Tulsa encourages and supports all of the different groups in their efforts to educate themselves and the public about issues related to the economic concerns that we all have in common as the 99%.
7. Per the communications policy adopted by the group on January 4, 2012, all statements from Occupy Tulsa will be issued in writing with approval by consensus of the general assembly. While designated message facilitators will be be chosen on a rotating basis to deliver and communicate the group’s statement to the media during events, these spokespersons will be identified in advance, and all other individuals which speak to the media do so as individuals and not on behalf of Occupy Tulsa. Please note, Occupy Tulsa has NO PERMANENT DESIGNATED SPOKESPERSONS and any individuals claiming to represent Occupy Tulsa without the consent of the General Assembly are not to be thought of as representatives.
8. During Occupy Tulsa events in the future, all participants are welcome to speak their minds individually about issues of concern to them. Occupy Tulsa upholds the rights of Freedom of Speech for everyone, including those who may disagree with the association’s reasons for assembling. During future Occupy Tulsa events, it is respectfully requested that members of the media respect the statements issued by consensus of the general assembly and refrain from probing individuals to answer questions requiring them to speak to the will, identity, or goals of the movement at large. To clarify, no individuals speak for the group as a whole (even though the group may agree with what they are saying), unless it is an endorsed statement issued per the procedures agreed to by the group.
9. We are planning events for the coming year. We are still here and are in this for the long haul. We will put info up on FB/our message boards and put out press releases to let the public know how to get involved.
10. Come down and check us out for yourselves!
1. The GA has been meeting regularly since 10/01/11 and then moved to meetings twice a week, Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, which continues to date. General assemblies are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend the meetings — Wed night at 7pm at Solidarity Square (Centennial Green) and Sat at 10am at Rudisill library.
2. Despite wild rumors in the national media, none of the association’s “members” are professional organizers nor are funded by any sources other than donations made by participants and fellow citizens. As all newly-formed organizations, the culture of Occupy Tulsa continues to develop and grow as citizens, some of whom have never even been involved in politics, come together and learn how to work with each other in respectful collaboration on something larger than the just movement in Tulsa.
3. (WITHOUT NAMING NAMES) To say there haven’t been personality conflicts since the beginning of October would be disingenuous; personality issues within any organization come up naturally as the interests and strengths of diverse members may not be an exact fit at first. However, the group has adopted guidelines defining respectful behavior within the context of disagreements to prevent similar issues from coming up again. While most participants have been willing to put aside there personal emotions and attempt to have meaningful dialogue with the others of the group, there have been people who have chosen to leave the association rather than abide the opinions and comfort level of others which were at odds with their own.
4. The remaining members of the association remain hopeful that everyone who has formally been involved will find common ground with the group and be able to unite under one Occupy Tulsa banner. Everyone who is willing to agree to and abide by the policies set by the group using “consensus-decision making process” is welcome to join or return. Until then, we’d hope that others claiming the ‘authority’ to speak for Occupy Tulsa without the consent of the general assembly of individuals will voluntarily stop confusing the media and public as to what Occupy Tulsa really is.
5. As defined by psychology.wikia.com, “Consensus decision-making” is a group decision making process that not only seeks the agreement of most participants, but also the resolution or mitigation of minority objections. Consensus is usually defined as meaning both general agreement, and the process of getting to such agreement. Consensus decision-making is thus concerned primarily with that process. By utilizing consensus decision-making, we are learning and improving our effectiveness because of the inclusion of more wide-spread points of view. This is leading to a stronger organization and the new policies make sure differing opinions can be handled smoothly until everyone participating feels comfortable giving their consent.
6. The “Occupy” movement has spread worldwide. Not only are there are other “Occupy” groups all over the United States but there are also groups forming all over Oklahoma in small towns and communities statewide. Representatives from all over the state have even come together to form a statewide General Assembly in order to align the entire state under one Occupy Oklahoma banner. In the meantime, Occupy Tulsa encourages and supports all of the different groups in their efforts to educate themselves and the public about issues related to the economic concerns that we all have in common as the 99%.
7. Per the communications policy adopted by the group on January 4, 2012, all statements from Occupy Tulsa will be issued in writing with approval by consensus of the general assembly. While designated message facilitators will be be chosen on a rotating basis to deliver and communicate the group’s statement to the media during events, these spokespersons will be identified in advance, and all other individuals which speak to the media do so as individuals and not on behalf of Occupy Tulsa. Please note, Occupy Tulsa has NO PERMANENT DESIGNATED SPOKESPERSONS and any individuals claiming to represent Occupy Tulsa without the consent of the General Assembly are not to be thought of as representatives.
8. During Occupy Tulsa events in the future, all participants are welcome to speak their minds individually about issues of concern to them. Occupy Tulsa upholds the rights of Freedom of Speech for everyone, including those who may disagree with the association’s reasons for assembling. During future Occupy Tulsa events, it is respectfully requested that members of the media respect the statements issued by consensus of the general assembly and refrain from probing individuals to answer questions requiring them to speak to the will, identity, or goals of the movement at large. To clarify, no individuals speak for the group as a whole (even though the group may agree with what they are saying), unless it is an endorsed statement issued per the procedures agreed to by the group.
9. We are planning events for the coming year. We are still here and are in this for the long haul. We will put info up on FB/our message boards and put out press releases to let the public know how to get involved.
10. Come down and check us out for yourselves!
