# Spokes Updates

# 2025-09-11 Spokescouncil Meeting Update

#### Completed projects

<table id="bkmrk-withfriends-account-" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;height:421.8px;"><colgroup><col style="width:25.0298%;"></col><col style="width:25.0298%;"></col><col style="width:50.0596%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr style="height:35.4px;"><td style="height:35.4px;">##### Withfriends account

</td><td>##### Link

</td><td style="height:35.4px;">##### QR - Click for larger size in new window

</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height:118.7px;"><td style="height:118.7px;">Withfriends.events homepage

</td><td>[https://withfriends.events/o/ridgewood-commons/](https://withfriends.events/o/ridgewood-commons/)

</td><td style="height:118.7px;">[![QR-RC-withfriends.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-withfriends-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-withfriends-png.png)  
</td></tr><tr style="height:118.7px;"><td style="height:118.7px;">Withfriends.events donate page

</td><td>[https://withfriends.events/o/ridgewood-commons/donate/](https://withfriends.events/o/ridgewood-commons/donate/)

</td><td style="height:118.7px;">[![QR-RC-withfriends-donate.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-withfriends-donate-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-withfriends-donate-png.png)</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">##### Patreon account

</td><td>  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td>Patreon.com homepage

</td><td>[https://www.patreon.com/cw/RidgewoodCommons](https://www.patreon.com/cw/RidgewoodCommons))

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">[![QR-RC-patreon.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-patreon-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-patreon-png.png)  
</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td>##### Riseup mailing list

</td><td>  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Riseup list homepage</td><td>[https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info](https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info)

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">[![QR-RC-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info-png.png)  
</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Riseup list subscribe page

  
Requires free riseup list account and sign-in  
Working on better subscription flow alternatives

</td><td>[https://lists.riseup.net/www/subscribe/ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info](https://lists.riseup.net/www/subscribe/ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info)

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">[![QR-RC-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info-subscribe.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info-subscribe-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-ridgewoodcommonsnyc-info-subscribe-png.png)</td></tr><tr><td>##### Forms

</td><td></td><td>  
</td></tr><tr><td>"Rental Application for Ridgewood Commons"  
(assume owned by main google account)</td><td>[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsyQwvfUK1nt\_hMQ6wo2JiytbNCVp\_ix6H0WIQfyl2B\_hdw/viewform](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsyQwvfUK1nt_hMQ6wo2JiytbNCVp_ix6H0WIQfyl2B_hdw/viewform)

</td><td>[![QR-RC-rental-application-gf.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-rental-application-gf-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-rental-application-gf-png.png)

</td></tr><tr><td>"Programming at Ridgewood Commons"  
(assume owned by main google account)

</td><td>[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZttCPYzVbobKJ6rVx2muerTWUoevBcc60BbHwptgrUPGwxg/viewform](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZttCPYzVbobKJ6rVx2muerTWUoevBcc60BbHwptgrUPGwxg/viewform)

</td><td>[![QR-RC-programming-submission-gf.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-programming-submission-gf-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-programming-submission-gf-png.png)

</td></tr><tr><td>"Film Screening Proposal Form"  
(don't know form owner)

</td><td>[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgC-HNbTdfnE5g9EydPZce10ms8s78a5wRq2CJVbXOEWeM4A/viewform](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgC-HNbTdfnE5g9EydPZce10ms8s78a5wRq2CJVbXOEWeM4A/viewform)

</td><td>[![QR-RC-film-propsal-gf.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-film-propsal-gf-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-film-propsal-gf-png.png)

</td></tr><tr><td>##### Socials

</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Instagram

</td><td>[https://www.instagram.com/ridgewoodcommons/](https://www.instagram.com/ridgewoodcommons/)

</td><td>[![QR-RC-instagram.png](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-instagram-png.png)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-instagram-png.png)

</td></tr><tr><td>Bluesky

</td><td>[https://bsky.app/profile/ridgewoodcommons.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/ridgewoodcommons.bsky.social)

</td><td>[![QR-RC-bluesky.png](https://wiki.commons.nyc/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/scaled-1680-/qr-rc-bluesky.png)](https://wiki.commons.nyc/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/qr-rc-bluesky.png)

</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Active projects

- Basic site / "landing page"
- Single streamlined calendar management workflow that doesn't leak personal information using existing google tools 
    - Custom non-google calendar and event management
- Web hosting via solidarity partners
- Documentation and instructional screencasts re: wiki
- Financial software
- Brainstorming and development of communications beyond existing use of signal groups
- Improving copy and aesthetics of funding platforms
- Migrating our stuff off of woodbine.nyc and not breaking the old site -- the wiki being the most visible to the group

#### Needs expressed

- More group participation by those interested in a combination of people/tech/communication to... 
    - ...think about ideas and systems to democratize communications
    - ...find existing "pain points" and communication bottlenecks within and between working groups
    - ...create compelling, clear, copy for communications
- People with graphic design &amp; branding skills
- People who actually use and are fluent in corporate social media
- Please try [https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/](https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/) and report any issues with your device. Flag us down after meeting to report plz.

#### Projected budget needs (annual)

In discussion! Trying to get it down down down 📉

- ~$250 financial software
- ~$40-125 site hosting, email lists

#### Other

Internal discussion of re-naming group from "Tech &amp; Comms) to make group function more clear (e.g. building workflow for content, but not creating content), or take on more responsibility for crafting content as listed in above needs list.

# 2025-10-11 Spokescouncil Meeting Update

### Completed stuff

- Schedule maker tool: [https://ridgewoodcommonsnyc.github.io/RC-schedule-maker/index.html](https://ridgewoodcommonsnyc.github.io/RC-schedule-maker/index.html)
    - Takes exported file from [calendar page](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/books/rc-tech-admin/page/ridgewood-commons-weekly-schedule) (sample: [ridgewood-commons-weekly-schedule(10).html](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/attachments/7))
    - Can use community supplied backgrounds!
    - Sample output: [![schedule-9x16-2025-10-11(2) Medium.jpeg](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/schedule-9x16-2025-10-112-medium-jpeg.jpeg)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/schedule-9x16-2025-10-112-medium-jpeg.jpeg)
- Social post maker: [https://ridgewoodcommonsnyc.github.io/RC-presents-IG-maker/index.html](https://ridgewoodcommonsnyc.github.io/RC-presents-IG-maker/index.html)
    - Take an image, adds "Ridgewood Commons" header
    - Sample output:[![poster-story-1760210929618 Medium.jpeg](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/poster-story-1760210929618-medium-jpeg.jpeg)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/poster-story-1760210929618-medium-jpeg.jpeg)

### Current Practices

- manually updated rolling (first day listed is today) sidebar calendar on [https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/](https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/)
- effort to post weekly calendar poster to community announcement chat / IG
- using withfriends for event RSVPs to free events to present opportunity for donor conversion.

### Upcoming

- Online non-google collaborative schedule/calendar prototype

### Analytics report

##### Withfriends (~LP)

<table id="bkmrk-tier-%23-%24-%24-total%2Fmon" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;height:210px;"><colgroup><col style="width:20.2622%;"></col><col style="width:5.7211%;"></col><col style="width:23.5995%;"></col><col style="width:24.9106%;"></col><col style="width:25.5066%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">**tier**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**\#**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$ total/month**

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**% total**

</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Vision Supporter</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">10</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$10</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$100</td><td style="height:30.15px;">9%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Rent Contributor</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">14</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$25</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$350</td><td style="height:30.15px;">31%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Infrastructure Upgrader</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">3</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$50</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$150</td><td style="height:30.15px;">14%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Future Planner</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">2</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$100</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$200</td><td style="height:30.15px;">18%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Coworker</td><td style="height:29.8px;">3</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$100</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$300</td><td style="height:29.8px;">27%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Total</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$1,100 net ($1,001.95 gross)</td><td style="height:29.8px;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>

For posterity/other groups: Makes me think tiers are not optimal bc of big drop from $25 to $50 tier. (~LP)  
Adding arbitrary donations to tiers such that you can sub as a Rent Contributor but then **more** would maybe be optimal. Maybe worth talking to Withfriends about this.

Membership jumped up, plateaued, bumped again, plateaued  
Hard to say why, but would be good to keep a solid posting schedule and review

[![RC-withfriends-analytics-october.jpeg](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rc-withfriends-analytics-october-jpeg.jpeg)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rc-withfriends-analytics-october-jpeg.jpeg)

##### Patreon

? Don't have access because of two-factor setup. (~LP)  
we need to fix that! (~ p cm)

<table id="bkmrk-tier-%23-%24-%24-total%2Fmon-1" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;height:210px;"><colgroup><col style="width:20.2622%;"></col><col style="width:5.7211%;"></col><col style="width:23.5995%;"></col><col style="width:24.9106%;"></col><col style="width:25.5066%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">**tier**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**\#**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$ total/month**

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**% total**

</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Vision Supporter</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">16</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$10</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$160</td><td style="height:30.15px;">14%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Rent Contributor</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">14</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$25</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$350</td><td style="height:30.15px;">30%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Infrastructure Upgrader</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">5</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$50</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$250</td><td style="height:30.15px;">21%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Future Planner</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">2</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$100</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$200</td><td style="height:30.15px;">17%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Coworker</td><td style="height:29.8px;">2</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$100</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$200</td><td style="height:29.8px;">17%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Total</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$1,160 net</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### Combined Funding Platforms

<table id="bkmrk-tier-%23-%24-%24-total%2Fmon-2" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;height:210px;"><colgroup><col style="width:20.2622%;"></col><col style="width:5.7211%;"></col><col style="width:23.5995%;"></col><col style="width:24.9106%;"></col><col style="width:25.5066%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">**tier**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**\#**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$**</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**$ total/month**

</td><td style="height:29.8px;">**% total**

</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Vision Supporter</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">26</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$10</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$260</td><td style="height:30.15px;">11%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Rent Contributor</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">28</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$25</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$700</td><td style="height:30.15px;">31%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Infrastructure Upgrader</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">8</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$50</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$400</td><td style="height:30.15px;">18%</td></tr><tr style="height:30.15px;"><td style="height:30.15px;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;">Future Planner</span></td><td style="height:30.15px;">4</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$100</td><td style="height:30.15px;">$400</td><td style="height:30.15px;">18%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Coworker</td><td style="height:29.8px;">5</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$100</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$500</td><td style="height:29.8px;">22%</td></tr><tr style="height:29.8px;"><td style="height:29.8px;">Total</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td><td style="height:29.8px;">$2,260 net</td><td style="height:29.8px;">  
</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### Socials &amp; Communication Channels Growth (or lack thereof, aside from Instagram)

<table id="bkmrk-ig-bluesky-rc-commun" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;"><colgroup><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col><col style="width:16.6865%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">IG</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">bluesky</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">RC community announcements</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">RC spokescouncil announcments</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">RC spokescouncil chat</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;white-space:normal;text-align:center;">list-info</td></tr><tr><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">1134</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">14</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">181</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">121</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">27</td><td style="overflow:hidden;padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:right;">9</td></tr></tbody></table>

Need to directly message in order to grow these connections.

[![RC-socials-channels-analytics-october.jpeg](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rc-socials-channels-analytics-october-jpeg.jpeg)](https://fortunate-mink.pikapod.net/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rc-socials-channels-analytics-october-jpeg.jpeg)

### Other Thoughts

- Need for dedicated "comms" group to handle 
    - Collection and confirmation of events from disparate groups and individuals
    - Very regular social posting: week schedule, day-of stories/posts 
        - Using submitted posters, bespoke graphics work, or using existing tools (with feedback/improvement cycle)
        - IG, bluesky, withfriends, nonsense, cal.red, etc.
    - Social question/comment/message followup
    - More standardized copy for various calls to action re: in-space signage, membership calls, socials, lists, etc.
- Need for additional person(s) to help with 
    - DevOps / infrastructure management and research 
        - Hosting
        - SSO
        - Integrations
    - Analytics/reporting

# 2025-12-11 Spokescouncil Meeting Update

Current focus is finalizing the infrastructure that will help:

- visibilize and distribute admin labor
- ease onboarding into admin roles / tasks
- make Tech / Comms role sustainable
- support WGs in the same way

# Tasks Completed

- Deployed beta version of our new digital infrastructure 
    - **open call for user testers from admin commitees (and WGs too).**
- calendar on [https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/](https://ridgewoodcommons.nyc/%5D) now generated from google sheet.

# Tasks in Progress

- [https://coopcloud.tech/](https://coopcloud.tech/) adopting their tools and building a relationship with their community 
    - a community of values-aligned open-source developers and tech-cooperatives
    - our technical labor becomes a contribution to a free and open-source commons
    - in early talks of planning a workshop using Ridgewood Commons as a case study 
        - "come see what we did, learn how we did it, and learn how to help us* do it"
- Working w sunday dinner increase onboarding opportunities with dinner announcements configuration
- Initial conversations with working groups about public-facing onboarding materials

# Future Tasks

- Somebody has to send out a newsletter (124 pending subscribers).
- Have a meeting
- Onboard new members to admin committee
- Clarify purpose of the inter-working-group chats: "how do I make an internal announcement?"
- Set up distributed encrypted backups with other community spaces around the country

# Task Pitches

- help write an inagural newsletter?
- user testing on our infrastructure
- figure out an organized way to handle IG DMs
- research https://garagehq.deuxfleurs.fr/

# Pain Point

- Our charter is far broader than our capacity allows
- No-one is doing the important work of improving our internal communication

# Other