I'm excited to propose the idea of joining ANANSI Revolutionary Collective full-time as a community developer, taking care of various administrative tasks that seem to be hindering our progress. This would involve facilitating the development of our collective bylaws, cooperative governance model, membership criteria, legal frameworks, fundraising efforts, and more.
Our collective has encountered challenges that have hindered its growth. Let's refer to this as the "headless chicken dilemma" – a situation where critical administrative aspects lag due to a lack of dedicated focus. I'm not seeking to be the head of this 'chicken,' but I've recognized the need for committed members to work collectively on these administrative tasks to propel us forward.
This is a call to engage all of us, a call to collectively address the issues we've been facing. I believe in the power of our community to overcome these challenges and thrive. Instead of this being a plea for individual help, I propose a mutual commitment where every member's contribution is valued and acknowledged.
I resonate deeply with the Anansi philosophy, and while I may not contribute as an artist, I aim to play a pivotal role in community building, with occasional participation in performances and full engagement behind the scenes. My vision is to address the areas that require attention to make our collective fully functional.
Leveraging my experience as a social entrepreneur, cooperative economist, and my previous role as a community steward, I believe we can collectively make a significant difference. This involves setting up Anansi Revolutionary Collective as a legally registered entity, facilitating the development of the cooperative governance model and membership structure, and addressing any other administrative tasks that have been overlooked.
This proposition is an invitation for all of us to unite, contribute our strengths, and collectively propel our collective towards its full potential.
I think our diverse group of artists and thinkers, is facing challenges in achieving its full potential due to a lack of dedicated focus on administrative and organizational tasks. It feels like the "headless chicken dilemma" will eventually lead us to sluggish growth. This will occur if essential tasks such as developing bylaws, establishing cooperative governance models, defining membership criteria, setting legal frameworks, and securing funding are left unaddressed. For instance, our lack of a governance structure leaves us vulnerable to governance-related issues when they arise. We have been doing well so far but I think there is a need for comprehensive administrative structures and dedicated individuals who can drive the collective's growth and ensure that all components work cohesively towards their common goals. While I had been drafting the legal structures of the organization, I think I need to take a few steps back and align everyone in the collective regarding the importance of this. I recognized the importance of involving the entire collective in this process so I will seek input from all members to ensure that it becomes a collective establishment rather than an individual's initiative. In addition, the absence of attention to crucial areas has prevented us from establishing: • Clear commitments and expectations from members: We all need to ask ourselves: What is the commitment we expect from others and what are we ourselves committed to do? • Mechanisms for accountability within the collective: how can we hold each other accountable as members of the collective? We really need to have these conversations to ensure accountability in the collective • Distinct roles and responsibilities for Collective members and the Community, along with associated benefits: We need to establish a clear demarcation between members of the collective and the community and be clear about their roles and responsibilities as well as the benefits that comes with being a member of each group. • A financial strategy: Who is responsible for raising the funds? We also need to talk about the collective budget like what percentage of the collective budget should be allocated to the collective and to the community. How much will be paid for the boring admin work? • We need also to discuss the social aspect of the collective and establish mutual care structures for members' well-being In addition to this, undefined roles have led to an undue burden on some members who have taken on a lot of responsibility. While Kadallah has assumed the default leadership role, it's time for all of us to take initiative to reduce their administrative workload. To gain further insight into how this is impacting the collective, please refer to the Membership Guidelines (notion.so) and Community 1-1 (notion.so)
Goal 1: Enhance Organizational Efficiency and Growth • Objective 1: Establish a comprehensive administrative structure within Anansi Revolutionary Collective to ensure efficient and cohesive functioning of all aspects of the organization. • Objective 2: Develop comprehensive bylaws that outline the collective's structure, decision-making processes, and roles of members. • Objective 3: Establish a cooperative governance model that promotes inclusivity, transparency, and effective leadership distribution. We want to foster active participation and engagement from all members of the collective, ensuring that decisions and developments are driven collectively rather than individually. • Objective 4: Create a governance model that outlines clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for all members, ensuring a well-defined structure that can adapt to the collective's growth. Goal 2: Legal Establishment and Financial Sustainability • Objective 1: Register Anansi Revolutionary Collective as a legally recognized entity to ensure accountability and formal recognition. • Objective 2: Create a solid legal framework that guides the collective's operations, partnerships, and interactions. • Objective 3: Identify and implement sustainable fundraising strategies to secure financial stability and support ongoing initiatives. Goal 3: Strengthen Community Engagement and Collaboration • Objective 1: Foster a sense of community ownership by involving members in decision-making processes and strategic planning. • Objective 2: Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance information sharing, engagement, and collective awareness. • Objective 3: Forge partnerships with like-minded organizations, institutions, and artists to leverage resources and expand collective impact. Goal 4: Operational Excellence and Administrative Support • Objective 1: Streamline administrative processes to improve operational efficiency and reduce bottlenecks. • Objective 2: Create dedicated roles for essential administrative tasks to ensure consistent progress and accountability. • Objective 3: Implement tools and technologies that facilitate communication, collaboration, and workflow management. Goal 5: Long-term Sustainability and Impact • Objective 1: Establish a long-term strategic plan that outlines the collective's vision, objectives, and milestones over the coming years. • Objective 2: Monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and adapt strategies based on feedback and changing circumstances. • Objective 3: Cultivate a culture of sustainability by embedding cooperative values, ethical practices, and resilience in the collective's core principles.
Method 1: Development of Comprehensive Bylaws and Governance Model • Techniques: Consultation with legal experts, cooperative economists, and members. • Tasks: 1. Research cooperative governance models and legal frameworks. 2. Organize one on one meetings to gather member input on governance structure. 3. Collaborate with legal experts to draft comprehensive bylaws. • Timeline: Ongoing • Justification: Creating clear bylaws and governance models will provide a structured framework for decision-making, accountability, and efficient functioning. It ensures that the collective's core values are upheld, and everyone is aware of their roles. Method 2: Membership Criteria and Benefits Definition • Techniques: Surveys and focus group discussions • Tasks: 1. Analyse existing cooperative membership criteria and benefits. 2. Gather member opinions through surveys and discussions. 3. Develop a membership framework that encourages engagement and commitment. • Timeline: 2 months • Justification: Clear membership criteria and benefits encourage active participation and commitment. It ensures that members understand their responsibilities and the benefits they receive in return. Method 3: Legal Establishment and Financial Sustainability • Techniques: Collaboration with legal professionals, research on nonprofit regulations in the US, and grant application. • Tasks: 1. Research legal requirements for nonprofit cooperatives in Delaware, USA. 2. Draft and finalize Articles of Incorporation with legal experts. 3. Identify potential grants and funding opportunities for nonprofit cooperatives. • Timeline: 4 months • Justification: Legal establishment provides formal recognition and accountability, while securing funds ensures financial stability for long-term operations. Method 4: Community Engagement and Collaboration • Techniques: Virtual meetings, communication platforms, and collaborative tools. • Tasks: 1. Organize regular virtual town hall meetings for member input. 2. Establish online communication platforms for discussions and information sharing. 3. Foster partnerships with similar organizations to share resources and expertise. • Timeline: Ongoing • Justification: Regular engagement and collaboration foster a sense of belonging, trust, and collective ownership, enhancing the overall impact of the organization. Method 5: Operational Excellence and Administrative Support • Techniques: Workflow analysis, task delegation, and implementation of productivity tools. • Tasks: 1. Identify administrative bottlenecks and inefficiencies. 2. Delegate administrative roles to responsible members. 3. Implement project management and communication tools for better coordination. • Timeline: Ongoing • Justification: Streamlining administrative processes ensures smoother operations and frees up more time for creative pursuits, enhancing overall productivity. Method 6: Long-term Sustainability and Impact • Techniques: Periodic reviews, impact assessments, and strategic planning. • Tasks: 1. Conduct periodic reviews of the collective's progress and challenges. 2. Assess the impact of the collective's initiatives on members and the community. 3. Develop a long-term strategic plan with input from members. • Timeline: Ongoing • Justification: Regular reviews and strategic planning ensure the collective remains relevant, adaptive, and impactful over time.