Work in Progress proposals Proposals that are in development/ not ready for vote Shelf Awareness When you select a template, it doesn't fill out the page title. Title proposal pages like so: Shelf Awareness  Person or group submitting Library bookshelf stewards Proposal History Submission Date: 11/22/2025 Vote date: Vote result: Motivation (why are you proposing this?) To keep library shelves tidy To share valuable space equally amongst groups To utilize library area as a cool space Proposal summary We are proposing that each working group gets its own shelf in the library, to use to display books, show off their personality (in an inviting way to bring in participants to their WG) or to simply use as storage. Details Background info N/A Group(s) this proposal will affect Everyone will receive a shelf and will be either unaffected or positively impacted. People who use the shelves for personal junk storage will be negatively impacted. Labor required Printing of groups' own palm cards may require a small amount of labor from groups or from the library stewardship committee. Individual or group doing labor The library stewardship committee will directly reach out to each group to communicate needs and ideas and support them with organization. Money required $0 Proposal Description (and variations) We are proposing that each working group gets its own shelf in the library, to use to display books, show off their personality (in an inviting way to bring in participants to their WG) or to simply use as storage. One alternative idea is that groups may allow their items to be checked out like at a library and can utilize library cards. Renaming Tech & Comms; Creating Comms Admin Renaming Tech & Comms; Creating Comms Admin Person or group submitting Katelyn Proposal History Submission Date: 10/31 Vote date: 11/13 Vote result: Motivation (why are you proposing this?) There is a clear need for a dedicated communications group. Tech has set up some nice infrastructure, now we need designers, social media ppl - someone to run Instagram,  people make fliers, etc.  More roles needs:  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. Proposal summary to rename tech & comms to tech and to create a comms admin committee + signal group + charter Details Background info we dont have people dedicated to comms so it is fragmented and mostly falling on a few over stretched folks  we would love for new people who dont already hold admin roles (ie not katelyn, lp, vanessa) to bottom line this fun new group  Group(s) this proposal will affect tech & comms, the admin collective, all other groups who need to use rc socials  Labor required bottom liners to gather a group, group to write a charter, group to agree on roles that would include but maybe not be limited to:  Finalizing RC branding and establishing workflows/ tools so it is used  Sunday  checking in with the admin collective & all working gorups via the spokescouncil chat on events coming up that week  updating the weekly calendar post ... and posting sunday night  Additional very regular social posting:  posting fliers for events in advance and day of  posting to nonsense, cal.red, etc. .... I (katelyn) dont think we should be on twitter or bluesky responding to people who message on instagram writting the newsletter that could be sent out weekly or monthly ....etc Individual or group doing labor Self-elected comms admin members Money required not at this time RC Points of Unity When you select a template, it doesn't fill out the page title. Title proposal pages like so: Proposal Title  Creating a Point of Unity document for RC Person or group submitting Katelyn + [tbd] Proposal History This proposal builds on the Points of Unity Research Group that emerged during the Emergency Council process. It reflects some learnings from that moment and a desire to establish a longer-term, community-generated articulation of our shared commitments. Vote date: 11 September 2025 Vote result: Motivation (why are you proposing this?) To provide a collectively authored statement of our shared values, practices, and political commitments that can guide decision-making and help resolve tensions. To support onboarding, orientation, and alignment across Ridgewood Commons working groups by creating a document that reflects the ethos of the space. To create a living framework that can evolve, be amended, and serve as a reference in moments of growth, conflict, or confusion. To give us a helpful roadmap for navigating future interpersonal and structural conflicts by grounding participation in clearly defined, collectively shaped expectations. Proposal summary To establish a participatory process that will result in a collectively drafted and spokescouncil-ratified Points of Unity document that reflects the shared commitments, mission, and political character of Ridgewood Commons. Details Background info The Emergency Council process identified the need for shared values and political clarity across working groups. Many members voiced a desire for an agreed-upon set of “Points of Unity” to ensure that Ridgewood Commons remains a politically principled and autonomous space. While the current Mission Statement offers broad goals, a Points of Unity document would operationalize and contextualize those values in practice. This process will be inspired by other autonomous spaces but rooted in our particular context in Ridgewood, draw from existing documents such as working group charters, and capture collective experience. Group(s) this proposal will affect All current and future working groups & admin collective  New participants and potential members Labor required Initial Labor (3–4 months) Recruit community members interested in the process (6–10 people?) Develop survey for all working groups Facilitate 1 public assembly/ discussion session Draft and refine the Points of Unity document Circulate draft for open comment Revise and prepare final version for Spokescouncil proposal/ vote Define a process to review/amend  Individual or group doing labor - community members interested in the process (6–10 people?) plus individuals from working groups to complete survey and attend discussions as interested; support from tech & comms to circulate, support from conflict support group ? Money required none Proposal Description (and variations) This is a proposal to initiate a collaborative writing process open to anyone in the Ridgewood Commons community who wants to co-create a Points of Unity document that will be a tool for shared orientation, clarity, and collective accountability -- to anchor our work in shared purpose. The process will include: Gathering reflections from each working group through short surveys or conversations. Hosting a few open writing sessions (probably virtually) where community members can contribute thoughts, language, and questions. Drafting a living document that draws from earlier efforts (like the Emergency Council Points of Unity work or the WB Mission Statement), but speaks to our current moment. Circulating the draft for community comment and revision. Bringing a final version to Spokescouncil for ratification, with a process for future amendment. RC Compost Proposal When you select a template, it doesn't fill out the page title. Title proposal pages like so: Person or group submitting Charlie Heck Proposal History Submission Date: 6/2/26 Vote date: Vote result: Motivation (why are you proposing this?) To create a sustainable solution for collection food waste at RC with a community garden partner and at little or no cost. Proposal summary Use small secure collection bins that can be dropped off by bike or car, as needed, throughout the week at local collection sites by RC members. Details Background info We want to divert food waste at RC from the trash, which can also help reduce pests. Rather than accumulating a large amount of compost that RC pays to have collected, or that goes to the poop incinerator, we could take our compost to community gardens during various open hours. Instead of collecting the compost in large containers that are heavy, we can have a group of smaller stackable units that are easy for 1 person to take in a milk crate on a bike. Group(s) this proposal will affect Pantry, Dinners, CSA,Facilities Labor required -Charlie will: Buy 5 gallon buckets with screw-top lids for compost collection (with RC funds? or can contribute?) / Type, print and laminate collection instructions and adhere them to each compost bucket along with info of drop-off locations and hours and RC bucket return. / Consult with Pantry, Dinners, CSA, Facilities on weekly compost quantity to determine how many buckets to buy and details for collection instructions. / Create printed signage and digital text to communicate in appropriate chats etc about new compost procedure. / Communicate with Pantry, Dinners, CSA, Facilities, Basement about where to “store” empty buckets. -RC members/users who eat food will: Divert appropriate food waste from trash to compost buckets located near the kitchen and pantry (or a single site agreed upon by parties) -RC members (including Charlie) will: Create a pool of compost fairies to drop-off compost in a timely manner at locations that are convenient for them. Compost Fairies should be regular RC visitors so that the buckets get returned within a few days (there will be a few extra buckets so that we don’t run out, but not so many that they become annoying to store. Individual or group doing labor Charlie / Pantry? Money required Buy 5-gallon buckets with screw top lids ($11 for each bucket/lid combo) Total of 10 = $110 Proposal Description (and variations) Compost will get collected in secure 5-gallon buckets. The buckets will be labeled with compost instructions. As the buckets are filled, compost fairies will take them to be emptied at one of the sites listed on the bucket. Buckets will be cleaned and returned in a timely manner.