The Omni/2014-03-13

Omni Delegates meeting March 13, 2014 7pm

Check-in / Intros

In attendance: Yardena, David B, David K, Joel, Jeremy, Sarah, Niki, Phil

David K: Facilitator Joel: Timekeeper

Results of name poll

• in a pinch we wrote down "Oakland Commons Collective" during the planning meeting
  • for the corporation, not necessarily the building
• the online poll results: Omni (9) Commons (7) Building Bloc (5)
• all delegates at the meeting are saying we like Building Bloc for the corporate name and the poll was for naming the building (?) and/or the results are invalid because that distinction wasn't clear (?)
• there is some confusion and ambiguity
• Niki moves that we just choose a name in formal capacity right now
• We unanimously vote to name the CORPORATION "Building Bloc"
• yar hates to be that person but asks "is there a 'the'"? the answer: NO
• DK recommends "Building Bloc Collective" as it is more legally unique

later on, we rejoin the debate over the building name

• Call it the omni?
• omnicollective.org is taken
• Omni Oak?
• DK proposes:
  1. call the building and the project The Omni
  2. register omnioakland.org
  • Joel thinks group & building need the same name
  • Phil agrees
  • Sarah also agrees - difficult to have two different names
• DK proposes our legal name being Omni Oakland, revising our previous decision
• yar is reluctant but consents. it's unanimous.
• The Name = The Omni
• Legal Name of Collective of Collectives = Omni Oakland
• We will seek the URL : omnioakland.org

Bylaws

https://sudoroom.org/wiki/The_Omni/Incorporating

DK: we don't have to file bylaws until we file taxes

LLC vs nonprofit

• Sarah: do we incorporate as LLC / 501(c)3 / etc?
• DB: visionary differences?
• Niki: we should ask our lawyer
• DK: LLC has a lot more agency wrt money - where it comes from, what you do with it
• Phil: nonprofits can spend on anything actually. two corps (one for-profit and one not-for-profit) in tandem.
• DB: nonprofit == spiritual death
• yar: our job is to die spiritually so tenants don't have to
• Niki: LLC requires ownership
• Andrew: LLC does protect its members
• DK: Sudoers say board members aren't protected. nonprofit means less taxes. also helps our relationship with the city. pragmatic.
• Andrew: is this about 501c3 later on?
• Yar: That's one reason for incorporating as Cal State Non-Profit
• DK: yes, being a CSNP absolutely helps on many fronts
  • non-franchise tax board
  • recognition
  • this is just a property holding company
• Andrew: does this actually exempt us from the $800/year fee?
• DK: it exempts us from property taxes if the city or county (?) helps
• Sarah: Important to have a conversation about what it means politically to incorporate as a Non-Profit vs. LLC after talking to Lawyer

Potential New Terms of Move-In

DK: account of $$$ prenegotiations with landlord. off the record.

OMNI Event March 22

DK met with Omni owner to discuss possibility of hosting BAPS event on 03/22 @ Omni

• Planning Meeting: Monday, March 17, 7pm @ Black Spring Coffee (30th & Telegraph)
• We have the space from 4pm to 12midnight
• Silvia Federici, Peter Linebaugh & George Caffentzis : 7pm to 9pm
• BAPS events are "free of charge and free of solicitation"
• we should abide by BAPS rules since it's a BAPS event
• so it's not a fundraiser - open house?
• Saturday night around the corner from the Anarchist Book Fair
• TBC at planning meeting
• what are the goals and metrics for success?
• we should have tables

One-Sheet Review

need to revise it to say the new name, Omni Oakland

Takeaway

• NEXT MEETING : Thursday, March 27, 7PM @ 2141 !
• ACTION ITEMS: send joel content for website
• Niki: Make The Omni Oakland Facebook Page
• Joel: Website!