This proposal, presented by the Financial Accountability Working Group, was consented to by the General Assembly on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Identified Need –  to address diminished revenue stream, post-Dewey Square

Proposal
Because cash donations to Occupy Boston have declined while expenses have risen since our eviction from Dewey Square, the Financial Accountability Working Group proposes that weekly stipends be temporarily suspended, except for $2000 set aside for actions.^*

Following completion of a 2012 budget, including an analysis of potential revenues, FAWG will bring a new proposal for working group stipends to General Assembly, on March 6, 2012.

^* FAWG defines “actions” to include rallies, marches, speakouts, demonstrations, etc. Action monies are not to be spent on travel. FAWG proposes that this $2000 action set-aside become available as soon as Occupy Boston completes five actions from this date forward.

Note 1:   existing working group stipend policies remain in effect: up to $100 per week, receipts required.
Note 2:  this proposal will be in effect as of 12:01 am on Monday, January 23.
Note 3:  FAWG will notify all working groups of this consented proposal and provide a window of opportunity—up to 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 22—to make a weekly stipend request.

The below proposal reached consensus at OB’s General Assembly, on 1/17/12

Proposal to Rent Church Space for General Assembly  

Identified Need – secure, dependable indoor meeting space to hold OB  General Assemblies

Prelude
Post Dewey Square, Occupy Boston has been leaning on the kindness of local spiritual institutions to hold General Assembly (and now, Action Assemblies.)  These churches incur an expense to house our meetings, including personnel and utility costs. To date, one church has been levying a rental fee, $20 per hour for use of the Community Church of Boston.  Emmanuel Church is now asking OB for $80 per night.

Proposal
Financial Accountability Working Group (FAWG) propose that Occupy Boston pay these churches specific fees for use of their space, for these specific days and times:

Arlington Street Church – $80 for Tuesdays, 7:00 to 11:00 PM
Emmanuel Church – $80 for Thursdays, 7:00 to 11:00 PM
Community Church of Boston – $80 for Saturdays – 5:00 to 9:00 PM
Community Church of Boston – $80 for Sunday – 5:00 to 9:00 PM

Also, if another space is used for GA, instead of one of these churches, FAWG proposes that Occupy Boston will offer the owners of that space up to $80 for its use. (Note: this does not preclude any Occupy Boston member from finding and soliciting a free space, for GA use.)

Also, FAWG proposes that Tuesday and Thursday General Assemblies end at 10:30 PM, and that Saturday and Sunday General Assemblies end at 8:30 PM.

Also FAWG proposes that the proceeds from the GA donation box be allocated to help pay this rental expense, in the hopes that the General Assembly becomes self sustaining.

If consented to by the General Assembly, this arrangement stands until other accommodations are secured, or until Occupy Boston decides to hold General Assemblies, outside.