This is an explanation of the process used at Humboldt Solidarity Coalition meetings.
Meetings will proceed no later than three minutes after the appointed time with all members of the Coalition Circle ready to engage. The Coalition Circle is made up of a member of each group that is a member of the coalition. Occasionally, there will be more than one member of the Coalition Circle from the same organization if they are representing subcommittees of their organization doing vastly different work.
An available chair represents those people not yet represented in the coalition. This is a reminder to grow the circle and to respect those who are not with us. A translator will be present if requested. The coalition will share the cost of providing a translator if requested. Similarly, child care workers will be on hand, paid for in the same manner.
A notetaker will record the proceedings in a visible manner for the people in attendance. A scribe will gather notes from the meeting and post them on the website. A timekeeper will remind members of the Circle of our time agreements.
A facilitator will review agreed upon methods for communicating to open the meeting, invite each member of the Circle to share, and then thank the circle and our ancestors to close the meeting.
This is a diagram of a possible configuration of the Coalition Circle in formation for the meeting.
This is a diagram of a how folks would use a fishbowl method for the meeting. The diagram shows that same Coalition Circle above with allies surrounding the circle in silence during the meeting.
The agenda of the meetings will remain the same. 1) Explanation of how the meeting works. 2) Each member shares the same three items: one recent accomplishment, one call to action, and one request for support. 3) The facilitator thanks all present and our ancestors.
Members of the Circle are encouraged to use less than their 3 minutes and to verbalize “pass” when done so the meeting can move along.
Meetings will be generally free from any decision being made by the Coalition as a whole. The meetings are meant as a platform for each member group to share what they have done, are doing next, and what they need.
Membership in the Coalition is assumed appropriate. If any member wishes to suggest removal of another member, five minutes of argument for removal, then five minutes of rebuttal against removal will conclude with a simple majority vote as to the resolution. This should be an extremely rare occurrence.
Members will be in alignment with the statement of purpose which follows.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Humboldt Solidarity Coalition is a gathering of organizations in Humboldt County working independently to resist fascism. The Humboldt Solidarity Coalition gathers to support each other, defend our community, and organize to ensure democracy and justice for every person in Humboldt County. In this way we show a way forward as a community together.
The three interrelated Strategies the Humboldt Solidarity Coalition employs to win against fascism are as follows.
1) SUPPORT — Facilitate mutual aid efforts to support people immediately impacted by the rise of fascism.
2) DEFEND — Facilitate direct confrontation of fascist policy as it becomes visible in our community.
3) ORGANIZE — Maintain a coalition which unites all allies to accomplish the strategies of support and defend above.
The tactics are the actions that our coalition member groups take supported by the solidarity of the coalition.
Everyone helps clean up after the meeting.
“Solidarity is not the quick fix… but often it’s about building infrastructure for the future.” — Sarah Schulman
Solomon Everta 