# General Assembly # GA Planning Meeting 3/1 **Role Call** Shan Shea Ash Iris Paul Lippy Caroline (remote) ##### Facilitation Plan Presentation (Caroline and Ash) part0: 10m open statements: why we are here, what we're trying to do. limited history of the space + current trajectory some limited list of programming / admin \[will hear from them again soon\] some financial transparency + calls for support list of some possible goals for this afternoon: \*determine ongoing role of spokes /governance if any \*re-transition w/ less urgency and more insight \*what does it mean to carry this together? \*address cynicism/encourage optimism/POUs \*drawing out contradictions + pursue common ground \*invitation to audience: ur welcome to step up however u want, we can help onboard n empower part 1: 45m: where we are, where to go? \[5-10m\] what is current moment? \[2-5m facilitators offer a potential definition of ground, then call for audience participation \[30m\] what is role of a 6k/mo big event space w a kitchen/hackerspace/etc, maybe some 1-2-4-all here \[1-5m\] from rosy facilitation: synthesize similarities of what we all want part 2: \[10m\]: what is going on at RC right now? -diff WGs present/ admin groups given short (and pre-prepared!) elevator pitch abt what theyre doing/ what could they do w more capacity- Shea use programming slot to shout out events on calendar and get folks excited about coming back \[25m\] breakout discussion of how what we want and our conditions can be operationalized \[20m\] come together / 'how do we get there' + facilitation synthesizes commonalities behind what we're doing, and facilitates a discussion after a lil less than 2h here, then 5-10m break; we can take that earlier if need be \[break\] part 3: \[15m\]: review of potential governance; how could things be better? etc \[20m\]: plug and play; find a admin/WG you see on the sides, or stay and let's think abt what do to. facilitation discussed moving away from a more structured agenda to make sure we hit key points and create room for flexibility Goals: consensus building and creating shared understanding around what's been happening at RC and what we're building together Keep history and context limited discussion around making the GAs a series with specific focuses for each: 1\) vision- visioning exercise, what's possible? - hopeful that a POU admin committee (WG?) will come out of GA 2\) critical eye- where do we go and how do we get there? (review of governance model goes here)- what do people want to see? what can ppl commit to? think through desired gov. model Paul- since spokes stopped meeting in Dec there's no effective way to bring things up w WGs 3\) building Discussion around onboarding stressors and bottlenecks admin folks need to document our processes, "work our way out of a job", have new folks shadow so they can take on tasks remove requirement for admin committee folks to be in a WG- fewer barriers to volunteers is better ##### Equipment "bitch box" container for community feedback for us to review post-meeting, great wt to redirect folks who want to take up mtg time with complaining butcher paper/ white board/ projector- need to decide which will work best for our use. paper on the wall will be difficult to write on group should be in a circle- use projector screen on long wall? will need to set up other projector planning group should be at space early (~2p?) to help set up ##### Outreach last leg of outreach unclear- let's discuss RSVPs at 75, maybe no Ridgewood communized invite? post on insta, website, flyers at events this week will not be flyering neighborhood but will put flyers at ginnys. topos invite the coptic and kurdish communities focus on folks alredy engaging with the space for better buy in bring your people! ##### Onboarding Process Sign up sheet: name, email, WG/ committee of interest, skills to plug in with, general availability Use availability to match volunteers w groups operating when they're free have outreach liason per committee/ WG to help ppl plug in invite new volunteers to job fair so we have time to organize tasks and ourselves childcare- post signs at door 1 volunteer so far accessible bathroom- sign at front and on door (can go to Ginnys), announce at start greeters- headsets/ translation- signout sheet announcement at start sign in sheet for WG reps support for childcare if needed Action Items: reach out to WGs for day of volunteers to plug their group - Shea WG checkin list for facilitation reference- who's here and wants to talk?- Shea ask pantry for greeter / childcare volunteers-Shea flyer pantry line- Shea print out flyers to have in space for this week events- Iris contact PP of this weeks events, ask to hand out flyers- Shea find shout out events for programming plug- Shea create intake sign up form- Shea/ Paul # General Assembly Planning Meeting Notes 1/10 **GA Planning 1/10** Check in wisdom · Role transitioning/people coming in is a qualitative shift in the organization of the space · Getting more people involved in space administration as focus of energy · Design misses a lot of needs · Additional alignment among admin collective people · Burn to make space for new growth · Being able to take space and return refreshed is a good sign, move toward · Role in ongoing mutual aid in the neighborhood, connecting to emerging neighborhood energy · Building a program for the GA · Ways of being in the space that feel regenerative or regenerating outside the space Agenda Setting · What is a GA o Big meeting to generate ideas and topics o Not as useful for specific detail-work o Allow people to self-organize § Increase capacity · **Goals of GA (40 min)** Build consensus o **Help everyone understand what has happened** § Why we set up the spokes in the first place · What is hard in the spokes, what works § What is RC now § Communicate in a chill way that we are not Woodbine o \*\***Build shared narrative and vision** § Why are we all here · What are we trying to do · What does this space need to keep functioning § What do we think this space is · Collective of projects § This can happen in broad discussion, then relegated to a committee, then brought back for broader discussion § Picking point people and having them self-organize · Can include new committees and/or existing committees o Generate buy-in and interest in the space § Keep the space funded § Inviting people into leadership roles in the space creates more investment o Determine ongoing role of the spokes, if any § Re-transition with less urgency and more insight § Outside groups may have desires for the space that would impact their work § If Spokes continues, clarify the relationship between the GA and spokes o Advocate for scalable, participatory organizing and governance § Some people were used to being able to just show up § What does it mean to carry this project together o Address cynicism and encourage optimism o Broadcasting to the larger community in Ridgewood o Cookies, dinner after · **Main Engagement Questions for the GA** o What do we care about; What are things impacting you, this community, society, and the world that we can address together? § Tension between the bigger vision/outside stuff and the closer social reproduction stuff o What do you want to get out of the space in the next year § Hopes, fears, goals · **How do we want to achieve those goals** o Proposed Meeting structure § Context and history (10 min) § General Exercise to understand what the issues in the room are (20 min) · Hopes and Fears; Rosebud/Thorn conversation § Breakout discussion utilizing Liberating structures 4-2-1 Model (45 min) · Journal as individuals, pair up and elevate best ideas, pair with pair and pick 2, § Big group conversation (45 min) · (30 minutes reports back) o **Need: Butcher paper or projector** · (15 minutes weaving consensus and committee-building; invitation to create written reports back) § Note cards that people can put up in the space to guide us as we move forward o Potential series of GAs § Grounding § Practical process/form conversations § Maybe seasonal meetings o Drawing out contradictions § Potentially finding places of alignment within contradictions o Frame initial conversation as very positive § Criticisms of other experiences are useful for framing what you want to see § Creating a container for fears can be helpful for making sure people have heard each other · What is the value for people coming to GA from inside o Sharing positive experiences and creating a culture around that o Meeting everyone · What is the value for folks outside the neighborhood o Benefit from the wisdom of others who are invested in the space o Should they be invited? · **Asynchronous proposal** o Post to Spokes WG Chat o Voting on the proposal via emoji o Have WG/Acs identify delegates o Vote by EOD Wednesday to be counted · **Timeline for GA** o **Sunday 2/8** § Doors 3:30; Meeting 4:00-6:00pm – transition into dinner o Invitations out by 1/17 · **Action Items** o Set up Private WithFriends event - Libby § Dinner? Dietary restrictions – This will let our lovely dinner folks prepare · Talk to Dinner people - Paul § Child care · Reach out to child crafts and tutoring groups - Ash § Language services · We have a couple whisper translators (Spanish) o Ash/Libby to reach out o Follow up meetings § Facilitation · Pedagogy · Choosing facilitator based on RSVP · ID and secure tools o Butcher paper - Libby o Working markers - Libby o Note cards - Libby o Tape § History of RC o Outreach § Minimum orgs o Set up GA book for the Wiki - Libby # General Assembly Sticky Notes ## Sticky Note Feedback Board ## [![a4Ee1dNv1L9py8DG2IWM.webp](https://wiki.ridgewoodcommons.nyc/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/a4ee1dnv1l9py8dg2iwm.webp)](https://wiki.ridgewoodcommons.nyc/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/a4ee1dnv1l9py8dg2iwm.webp) ## RC GA MEETING 3.08.2026 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SUMMARY **WHAT KIND OF SPACE DO WE WANT THIS TO BE?** - **COMMUNITY REFLECTION/CARE** - More representative of demographics of immediate neighborhood - Local partnerships - Collaboration and play with other neighborhood spaces - **EASY ACCESS, WELCOMING THIRD SPACE** - Little barrier to entry to getting involved, lack of intimidation of checking out what RC can offer - A safe haven and protective space where community comes together to watch over and care for each other - Relationship building - Resource library - **COMMUNITY FUNDED AND MAINTAINED** --- **WHAT VALUES SHOULD GUIDE RC?** - **INCLUSIVITY** - Open door! - **VALUE HUB** - Resource pooling and sharing, multipurpose spaces, productive space, DIY spaces - Access point to other groups? - **NOT TOLERATING INTOLERANCE** - Antiracist, anticapitalism, proud of political values (anti-ICE, abolitionist, pro-Palestine), prioritizing safety, trust, consent, and care - Non-religious space - **MUTUAL AID** - Wealth redistribution, more sharing of physical resources - **TRANSPARENCY/HORIZONTALISM** - Transparency in financials - Democratic/open decision-making - **RISK ASSESSMENT THREAT MODELING** - How to handle “sensitive topic” workshops/events --- **WHAT WOULD SUCCESS LOOK LIKE 1 YEAR FROM NOW?** - **INTERNAL AND PROMOTIONAL CLARITY** - Better signage, general RC orientations, more information on how to get involved, clearer paths to help out - Coherent feedback systems for organizers and participants - **FINANCIAL SECURITY** - Easy access to money - **COMMUNITY CONNECTION** - Collaborations with other spaces - Everyone on the block comes to RC, demographic of neighborhood becomes reflected more, community awareness - Programming attendees participating in each others’ programming more often - **ADDITIONAL DIRECT IMPACT STORIES** - **DECISION MAKING BECOMES MORE COMMUNAL** --- **WHAT ACTIVITIES?** - **ACADEMIC EDUCATION** - Research groups, philosophy reading group, public talks, political education - **BLOCK PARTIES** - **LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY/KNOWLEDGE** - Language classes/clubs, consistent non-English programming, notary, translation services - **HEALTHCARE** - People’s medicine clinics, trans health clinics, ACU Detox/Harm Reduction, mental health support groups - **DIGITAL TOOLS EDUCATION** - **ARTS** - Zine library, open mic, film screenings, paint shows, dance classes, joy-focused practices - **CHILD AND ELDER CARE** - Tutoring, childcare, aid in finding work and housing, elder activities - **FOOD/FREE GOODS ACCESS** - Community garden, seed exchange, potluck and compost - Clothing swap, free books/physical media available --- **WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO DO THIS?** - **MONEY** - **TIME** - **PEOPLE WITH EXPERTISE** - Who have time to dedicate and volunteer! - **CLEAR COMMUNICATION** - Internally and externally beyond just socials - More posters/flyers - More cohesive or accessible communication platform - Email chain?