OCP Workshop 07/18/2012

OCP’s goal

• Self-sufficiency vs. more of a community orientation

Ethical Questions

• Starvation and other needs of community members that need to be addressed
• Where is the line drawn between more discipline and BRUTE FORCE?
• Does there even need to be discipline? One of the great things about OCP is that there is no strict formula for individuals, no coercive “dos and don’ts”

Community structure

• The board = the ultimate power source (staff, volunteers)
• Consideration of “volunteer staff”
• No clear-cut framework for distribution of power/flexibility of parameters
• Liberal atmosphere; open to suggestions

Considerations

• Individuals who give their time
• i.e., Nick M. & Gary S.
• More specific titles/responsibilities?
• Should these community meetings be held? If so, when?
• Once a month
• Supplemental; designated time slots
• More planning and preparation
• An online source for members to be able to stay updated
• Link on OCP’s website
• Be sure so have comment/suggestion source
• E-mail

Conundrums

• OCP has its pros and cons
• One of the greatest pros (open doors to anyone and everyone) also poses a basis for some of OCP’s greatest cons
• How do we keep the pro and eliminate the con?
• Started out as an experimental project, so it shouldn’t be too rigid
• Is OCP meant to be a service to the homeless population?
• Needs of community members
• Food
• Shelter
• ^ OCP is not just a place to go but a place for people to come and identify with a larger group, find a sense of belonging
• Self-governing
• As a  community
• From individuals (code of behavior)
• Judiciary counsel (for bigger cases?)
• More community management (rather than the same 2 or 3 staff members dealing with every conflict that arises)

Deliverables

• Outline for code of ethics
• An outline for code of behavior (personal responsibilities)
• Set of rules/restrictions (that extends beyond an internalized moral structure)
• Rules of empowerment
• “Do” policy
• Proposal for Hours of operation/accessibility

David – “a house divided can’t stand for very long”