[sudo-discuss] [omni-commons] [omni-discuss] [CCLmembers] [URGENT] Omni Commons Response to Current Climate (was re: "Omni as a distribution point")
Katrina Wehrheim
wehrheim at gmail.com
Thu Mar 19 16:31:56 PDT 2020
Thanks, David!
I just found the emails (was hanging out on slack) .. and wondering: would
y'all want other comrades to join the call? I'm thinking of a couple of
folks who are loosely Omni-affiliated (have held down events / are in
solidarity at large) and are working on mutual aid in East Bay ... my sense
is they have a lot of organizing energy (and more volunteers to call upon)
but no physical location ... so this might be a good match ;-)
I won't share zoom, though, unless I hear some affirmative Yes .. and no
objections ..
Cheers!
Katrina
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Katrin(a) Wehrheim - pronouns: they/them
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On Thu, Mar 19, 2020 at 12:22 PM David Keenan via commons <
commons at lists.omnicommons.org> wrote:
> I’ll start a new thread to announce but in case it’s helpful, here is a
> zoom meeting invite I set up for tonite at 7p:
>
> David Keenan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
>
> Topic: Omni delegates
>
> Time: Mar 19, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
>
> Join Zoom Meeting
> https://zoom.us/j/391487716
>
> Meeting ID: 391 487 716
>
> One tap mobile
> +16699006833,,391487716# US (San Jose)
> +13462487799,,391487716# US (Houston)
>
> Dial by your location
> +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
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>
> Meeting ID: 391 487 716
>
> Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acxcPEvxML
>
> David
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 20:29 David Keenan <dkeenan44 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> 1. Ok, I will set up a zoom meeting for Thursday and respond with that to
>> this thread. (Sorry about replying from the wrong email before not sure how
>> that happened)
>>
>> 2. I’m not sure if we have the same policies as I originally set up, but
>> has anyone looked into whether omni still has business interruption (aka
>> business continuity aka business expense) insurance as part of our package.
>> I’ve been on the phone to Traci and Teresa at B&G about this a lot for
>> other projects. If someone can point me to our current policies I can
>> follow up with an agent on behalf of omni too.
>>
>> If we have this coverage, the way this generally works is we reproduce
>> monthly statements (gross revenue) from this time last year ~ March through
>> June 2019. We then report a loss based on March > June 2020 gross revenue.
>>
>> We couldn’t claim this until the loss was actual, ie in a month or so but
>> whomever is handling insurance now I’m happy to talk with them and work on
>> this?
>>
>> 3. Re food distro specifically, as Niki mentioned Tamarack has also
>> informally started this and we just had a conference call about bulk distro
>> and possibly meal kits. We had pickups today.. Idk if FNB/PB also have
>> access to distributors (presumably) who will continue to operate, but fwiw
>> Tam was able to get large quantities of several items often out at stores
>> like flour etc at wholesale rates. For food (but not other items) it might
>> be worth centralizing and merging that effort? - Tam is small, but it is
>> health-certified commercial kitchen adhering to strict food preservation
>> procedures.. idk, but I’d like to be put in touch with anyone on the food
>> distro tip
>>
>> 4. I would like to work with someone at omni about a ‘family fund’ sort
>> of like we had after ghost ship that could assist with a wide range of
>> basic necessities like rent for low-income ppl and nonprofits including
>> omni. Other, bigger nonprofits are starting on this and if past experience
>> serves, unfortunately it may be mismanaged with like, Red Cross getting $3M
>> to hand out blankets or not recognizing the undocumented which does not pay
>> rent, preserve housing / community space or feed mouths which imo is much
>> of what vulnerable populations and spaces really need.
>>
>> Would omni be willing to start such a fund with diy together with other
>> community spaces?
>>
>> An alternative is to do a separate fundraiser just for omni but I like
>> the idea of throwing down in a communal, mutual-aid like fashion. If we
>> attempt such a thing it should be soon but it’s also something we can do in
>> self-iso so I wanted to bring it up.
>>
>> Someone get back to me on the insurance..?
>>
>> <3
>> David
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 19:05 Roberto Martinez <rcm00189 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you all for replying and sharing your suggestions and concerns.
>>>
>>> Cici, submitted a formal request and I will follow up with her listing
>>> out all the suggestions in this thread as requirements. Due to the fact
>>> that my partner is in the "high risk" pool during this pandemic, I will try
>>> to limit contact with people to a minimum, which means I will not be able
>>> to be at the Omni for long or at all. I can continue the conversation with
>>> Cici and write up a contract, but may need someone else to take the lead on
>>> being at the Omni physically for this. Perhaps Sierk?
>>>
>>> I agree with Jenny in needing to focus and talk more about next steps as
>>> a community place-based organization. Thank you Jenny for reviving the
>>> slack channel, it will be a useful way to communicate during these odd
>>> times. I think should be a priority to try to figure out how to pay our
>>> mortgage, wether it be requesting belayed payments or crafting a
>>> fundraising strategy, we have a large and tight network that we can reach
>>> out to, that mat be able to help. Unfortunately, half of our income comes
>>> from event rentals, which as noted, have for the most part been cancelled,
>>> the other of course if office rental from collectives, perhaps this could
>>> be a place where we as collectives can be more proactive in.
>>>
>>> For our reoccurring meetings such as Delegate assemblies, and working
>>> groups, we should try to meet online via zoom or whatnot. "Safer DIY" it
>>> would be great if you can set something up - Thanks.
>>>
>>> I am inspired by the strength and love of our omni family. Rag-tag and
>>> all, we hold so much collective passion, knowledge, skills, expertise, and
>>> more importantly we hold a great care for our communities. I am certain
>>> that collectively we can rise up to the occasion and surmount the
>>> challenges ahead.
>>>
>>> Let's continue the conversation on slack =].
>>>
>>> Caminando,
>>> Roberto Martinez
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 1:01 PM Patrik D'haeseleer <patrikd at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> FYI - CCL does not have a big stash of N95 masks. We may have a couple
>>>> lying around from the fires last year, but that is probably single digits.
>>>> We tried to order a pack of surgical masks to be used in cases like this
>>>> where we may need to deal with infected people in the community, but even
>>>> the lab supplier was back ordered and had to cancel the order.
>>>>
>>>> IF YOU HAVE N95 MASKS IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING, UNOPENED, DO NOT OPEN
>>>> THEM! I think the local hospitals will be desperate to get them in about
>>>> 2-3 weeks from now, when all the new cases from St. Paddy's day hit (sigh).
>>>> They are currently not yet accepting such donations from the public, but
>>>> they may need to in the future...
>>>>
>>>> You should only be using an N95 mask if you are a healthy individual
>>>> nursing somebody who is sick, and if you know how to properly put them on,
>>>> test for fit, and take them off without infecting yourself. They are far
>>>> too valuable to squander them to just walk around the street.
>>>>
>>>> "Surgical" masks (typically just a pleated rectangle with ear loops)
>>>> are most useful on an *infected* person, to keep them from infecting the
>>>> people around them.
>>>>
>>>> For some really useful info on DIY masks (get out those sewing
>>>> machines!) and even cleaning and reusing masks, check out this resource:
>>>> https://smartairfilters.com/en/knowledge-base/
>>>>
>>>> Patrik
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:47 AM Jenny Ryan <jenny at jennyryan.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hey all!
>>>>>
>>>>> While I'm replying to Roberto's message, I'm also cc'ing various Omni
>>>>> mailing lists (including member collectives):
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I think we should be a dropoff point - but only if the organizers
>>>>> will staff it *fully* and abide by *extremely high
>>>>> hygiene/sanitization standards*.
>>>>>
>>>>> We all need to be talking more about next steps as a community
>>>>> place-based organization. I've revived our Slack channel here so we can
>>>>> have real-time conversations:
>>>>> *Click Here To Join Chat!
>>>>> <https://join.slack.com/t/omnicommons/shared_invite/zt-coe108tt-rd~SdFHo_DN_l6l51ANPdQ>*
>>>>>
>>>>> *Questions for the community:*
>>>>>
>>>>> - *Should we send a request to our mortgage lender to belay
>>>>> payments for a month or two?* We have $30K as bare-minimum
>>>>> operating reserves (which I'd rather not touch), and an additional $15K in
>>>>> the kitchen fund. Our checking account is currently at a little over $3K,
>>>>> with March mortgage and utilities paid, but we are not receiving ~$1K in
>>>>> member collective payments, and half our necessary monthly income (~$5K of
>>>>> ~$11K) comes from event rentals... that have all been cancelled...
>>>>> - *Builders/handypeoplez: *I have put out a call/request for
>>>>> someone to install the touchless soap dispenser i bought last year - it is
>>>>> powered by rechargeable C batteries and needs to be mounted onto tile with
>>>>> masonry drill bits - all materials (dispenser, batteries, charger, masonry
>>>>> bits and drill) are in the secure storage; foaming unscented hand soap is
>>>>> in massive quantities in the cleaning closet (please lock! but share combo
>>>>> lock code liberally with trusted folks who won't steal all the TP ;) - it
>>>>> could also be wired to existing electrical. I personally can't do it as I'm
>>>>> currently a probable asymptomatic vector of covid-19. At my home in W
>>>>> Oakland, we have a box of N95 masks (I believe CCL ordered more?) and lots
>>>>> of food as well as herbs and some meds, so ping me if you need and I will
>>>>> leave it outside our door for you <3 Can also order things online if anyone
>>>>> needs and doesn't have the resources right now.
>>>>> - Per requests from Robb, I have purchased 4 bottles of 70%
>>>>> Isopropyl alcohol with spritz bottles, as well as a dozen air filters. Who
>>>>> is currently regularly at Omni (Robb? Sierk? AB? anyone else?) that can be
>>>>> my point of contact for delivery updates? If you think of other things we
>>>>> need you can make a purchase request here:
>>>>> https://omnicommons.org/budgetrequest
>>>>>
>>>>> *Some relevant announcements:*
>>>>>
>>>>> - CCL has recently purchased various supplies for decontamination
>>>>> and cleanliness. Also a good resource for people with questions about the
>>>>> virus. Patrik, lmk if you need to go halfsies with Omni on the sanitizer
>>>>> dispensing station - if CCL is strapped, that is - cuz Omni will be in
>>>>> coming months.
>>>>> - *Please donate* to Omni <https://omnicommons.org/donate> and/or
>>>>> Sudo <https://sudoroom.org/donate> right now! Also, consider
>>>>> making a donation to CCL member (and my former beloved housemate!) Craig,
>>>>> who is working on a vaccine - he is currently trying to raise $1500: You
>>>>> can send PayPal donations to: finance at renegadex.bio - or Venmo:
>>>>> Craig-Rouskey <https://venmo.com/Craig-Rouskey>
>>>>> - I'll be sending out a financial report with coming-month
>>>>> prospectives by the end of March. This is one of my priorities right now,
>>>>> and I'm downshifting my full-time job and other gigs to do it and will not
>>>>> be charging my $25 bookkeeper contract rate for those hours. I am concerned
>>>>> about the lack of financial support from events (most all of which have
>>>>> been cancelled or postponed), as well as from Phat Beets (4 months unpaid
>>>>> rent, $2,518) and FYE (1.5 months unpaid rent, $525) - PB & FYE - please
>>>>> let us know how your orgs are doing and what we can do to best support you
>>>>> and in turn, Omni Commons as a whole!
>>>>> - Current costs and recurring income sources have been regularly
>>>>> updated on the Finance Wiki Page: https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Finances
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *Additional Resources:*
>>>>>
>>>>> - COVID-19 Mutual Aid Resources- Huichin/Oakland
>>>>> <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1q8gPladEOi0vI8oU7Z37AYJQsy22SKdwNhVUDMJc3mQ/edit#gid=0>
>>>>> - https://bayrising.org/organizingduringcoronavirus/
>>>>> - https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/
>>>>> -
>>>>> https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/alameda_county_food_banks.html
>>>>> - Alameda County Public Health Deptartment's COVID-19 resource hub
>>>>> <http://www.nikki4oakland.com/r?u=Qw7BN9spnH2-QGQihzneFoQv17feW3ezjwg15mnJvsuC3XV2h3gusKLTeMGHN1OG&e=d47a11b8ed371f26a8957974a847a9c1&utm_source=nikki4oakland&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=covid_19_evictions_moratorium&n=15>
>>>>> - http://www.alamedacounty.info/content/housing-and-renting-aid
>>>>> - Bay Area Financial Solidarity <http://Tiny.cc/covidmutualaid>
>>>>>
>>>>> Mad love & solidarity - and hope to see you on the chat! (link above)
>>>>> <3 jnny
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 10:07 AM Roberto Martinez via commons <
>>>>> commons at lists.omnicommons.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I got a request about using the Omni as a location for dropping off
>>>>>> donating goods. Are we doing something already? If not are we open to have
>>>>>> the Omni as a drop of place?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I’ll ask them to submit a formal request and take it from there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> RM
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *From:* Cc Raye <viviraye at gmail.com>
>>>>>> *Date:* March 15, 2020 at 8:16:01 PM PDT
>>>>>> *To:* Margot Brennan <margot at seedsandstones.org>
>>>>>> *Cc:* Roberto Martinez <rcm00189 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> *Subject:* *Re: Omni as a distribution point*
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Roberto,
>>>>>> Thanks Margot for connecting us.
>>>>>> Some of us are trying to coordinate some mutual aid and wanted to
>>>>>> suggest a centralized location for dropping off donated goods that could
>>>>>> then be redistributed.
>>>>>> Do you think Omni might be open to this for some period of time?
>>>>>> Would we need to have designated times?
>>>>>> Looking forward to being in touch if y'all are open to this.
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> Cici
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sun, Mar 15, 2020, 8:07 PM Margot Brennan <
>>>>>> margot at seedsandstones.org> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Roberto,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cc'd on this email is Cici who has a question for you all about
>>>>>>> possibly using the space for something. Cici, this is Roberto my contact
>>>>>>> for the Omni.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Margot
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> commons mailing list
>>>>>> commons at lists.omnicommons.org
>>>>>> https://omnicommons.org/lists/listinfo/commons
>>>>>>
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>>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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