Points of Unity / Mission / Agreements / Pillars / Principles

Since the initial emergency meetings (prior to Ridgewood Commons even having a name), there has been discussion of this idea, but little progress towards an agreed upon document.

Here there are:

Collected links to existing outside resources/references
A place for thoughts from community members
Links to existing Ridgewood Commons work

Existing RC work:

Outside reference links & examples
Draft Principles from basement

Outside reference links & examples

https://antiracistaction.org/points-of-unity/

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/anonymous-some-zapatista-principles-practices

https://www.blackrosefed.org/points-of-unity/

Draft Principles from basement

This draft of principles emerged from basement discussions

Principles behind this shared space

This is a shared, open, multi-purpose space with minimal-hierarchy.
Here are some things we have agreed upon.

Stuff

If you bring it...

and it's smaller than a toaster

Be prepared to take on the work of removing it from the space.

It's easy to find something and bring it into the space, but be cautious about generating work for other people with regards to moving, storing, cleaning, sorting, recycling, re-homing, or otherwise disposing.

and it's bigger than a toaster...

Ask in chats beforehand, to allow for blocks, discussion, and planning.

"Somedays"

The space is not a place to store "someday" projects.

Personal items in the space should be actively worked on, or dated with a plan.
They should be stored in a personal project bin, personal space (for roasting, wood), or agreed upon space.

Mystery stuff

Items in space should be:

Widely known to serve core RC functions
or
Labelled (securely attached) with date, contact, and reference: e.g. (6/21/25 / Fundraising / Supplies for bake sale)
Items intended for hand-off to another community member should be labelled as above, and not expected to stay in space beyond that date.

Accountability

Accountability in this space refers to interpersonal behavior and use of space

Clean up after yourself

Budget time and structure events such that you have time to clean up after yourself:

Putting away tools and supplies
Removing waste, dirt, debris

Prepare space for others

See "expectations"

Expectations

Visitors to RC should have a reasonable set of expectations:

Respect
Physical safety
Usable space
- If a space is designated for some type of activity it should be available for that activity
Welcoming space
- Efforts should be made such that visitors should be able to make sense of the space

Maintaining a space that comports with the collective principles of respect, safety, usability, and hospitality are more valuable than any individual contribution of money, time, knowledge, labor, or skill.

Miscelaneous

This space may not always meet your needs or wants

As a shared space, it serves many purposes to many people. The continuing existence of the space itself has fundamental underlying legal and financial requirements. Coordination in the space relies on volunteer labor, your wants and visions may not be able to be supported by that volunteer labor.

Diversity means people, things, activities

Diversity has many implications, including change.