*Kā mihi nui for your interest in ŌPCo xo* # Manifesto **Ōtepoti Possibilities Cooperative** (ŌPCo) is organising to explore possibilities for a post-capitalist future through collective praxis now. We're for everything for everyone. We're for doing it together. We're for solidarity and autonomy and equity and tino rakatirataka and ecology and experiments and fun. *So:* We're not interested in "saving the world" because we love the real one. *So:* We're finding the cracks in the concrete (There's treasure to be found in the blindspots of industrial capitalism) We're leaning into non-market relations (Other economics exist) We're seeking productive justice (Commerce without exploitation) We're owned by the workers (The members wholly and collectively own and operate this organisation) We're doing it bossless (We organise without hierarchies and make decisions by consensus) We're waving the black flag (Representing the political philosophy of anarchism) We're trying some stuff out (Learning by doing) We know the possibilities are endless *So:* We've opened **Yours**, a worker-owned and managed café and venue at 43 Moray Place that imagines a better food system and provides space for radical action, music, art and cooperation. # Safer Spaces Policy #### Introduction ŌPCo actively strives for the liberation of all. We practise joy as an act of resistance and to maintain a vibe we must first build a foundation of trust and safety. To achieve this there are certain behaviours that are unacceptable in ŌPCo spaces: Harmful behaviour: intimidation, dishonesty, harassment, bullying, aggression and violence - anything that threatens the safety of individuals or the safety and continuity of the project. Oppressive behaviour: includes - but is not limited to - any demonstration of: racism, colonialism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, ageism. Our spaces are located on colonised land. We acknowledge Mana Whenua as indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, and recognise that Tino Rakatirataka was never ceded. #### Covered by this policy: - Interactions between people occupying ŌPCo spaces, including Yours and 43a Moray Pl. - The behaviour of ŌPCo members. - Communications between members via phone, email and social media channels. #### Guidelines for All - We want our spaces and associated events to be friendly, fun, safe and vibey and this starts with respecting the physical, emotional, and mental boundaries of others. - As a guest or member of ŌPCo, we ask that you take responsibility for your behaviour and make efforts to understand the ways in which it can affect others. We value freedom of expression, but not at the cost of alienating others. - People who are unwilling or unable to discuss and correct their harmful behaviour will have to leave. - No weapon or item that appears to be a weapon may be brought to or used in our spaces. #### Dealing with Conflict and Disagreement Here we come together from many experiences for a common purpose, but from different backgrounds with different concerns. This can lead to tension and conflict. Sometimes this is healthy; at other times it can be destructive. If you find yourself in a conflict which is escalating, the first priority should be to try to resolve the conflict directly with the other person. If you do not feel safe to do this, you may wish to seek the help of an ŌPCo member. #### Doing it Together Whether or not it directly affects you, we encourage you to call people out for their unsafe, inappropriate and/or harassing behaviour if this can be done safely. Try using the following tactics if you are unsure of what to do. Sometimes it could be as simple as saying: ‘I think women are just as able to fix a bike as men are’ or ‘that sounded a bit racist, can you explain what you meant?’ If a person is invading another’s personal space and failing to read body language, you could say “I don’t think they’re cool with that, would you mind giving them some space?” #### The Policy in Practice - If someone approaches a Member with an issue, they have a responsibility to try to resolve it. If the complainant’s consent is obtained, they may bring the issue to the other Members who are present. - ŌPCo makes decisions by consensus, therefore this will be the method of deciding whether people should leave the space in question. - We will normally give people a chance to change or address their behaviour or language if they have made others feel uncomfortable, threatened, or unsafe. If the person refuses to do so they will be asked to leave the space. Ensuring the space is safe and accessible for all may require people unwilling to change their behaviour to no longer be a part of the group and/or event. - Depending on the nature of the complaint (such as sexual assault), a warning may not be deemed an acceptable solution and the person may be asked to leave immediately. - When a rapid decision needs to be made, a consensus process will involve as many group members as possible in the circumstances. - The person being asked to leave may be included in this conversation unless the group decides it is not appropriate. - For the purposes of these two decisions (asking someone to leave, and whether they can take part in the conversation), the group does not require the agreement of the person(s) who has caused the issue in question. - While we cannot guarantee an environment free from all discrimination, the intention of our policy is to make people feel comfortable to approach us with any concerns and make wellbeing a priority. We hope this policy will help people understand their role in creating and maintaining a safer space. #### Acknowledgements: This safer spaces policy was informed by the respective policies of Rise Up For Climate Justice, Auckland Peace Action and Peace Action Wellington. Thank you for your mahi. # Pākehā Men Owe More Pākehā Men Owe More Through the commodification of labour inherent to our capitalist mode of interactions, New Zealand society at large, continues to uphold historic prejudices and injustices towards specific groups of people. One way this is immediately evident is in the pay-gaps present between different demographics. Statistically, Pākehā men earn more than other demographics. On Average\*: Women earn 9.2% less than men (Pākehā women 10.2% < Pākehā men) Māori earn 12% less than Pākehā (Māori women 19.2% < Pākehā men) Pacific peoples earn 15.3% less than Pākehā (Pacific women 19.2% < Pākehā men) Asian peoples earn 6.8% less than Pākehā (Asian women 14.8% < Pākehā men) \*these statistics take a broad view and do not take into account gender-diverse or transgender demographics. Capitalism, which has been designed and implemented by Pākehā men, is upheld through a myth of meritocracy (you will be rewarded for being good at stuff), but it is through capitalism's own obsession with metrics, that we can see another story. Though there are a wide range of external factors which may worsen or lessen the injustices of pay-gaps, such examples give us an idea of the historically entrenched discrimination present in modern-day New Zealand. In trying to create a more just mode of interactions, we must first not only acknowledge the injustices around us, but actively work to resist them. Without doing so, we can only perpetuate the past. Reference: Pay Gaps - an $18 billion dollar a year issue, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research. # Gift Economy Explainer What is a gift economy? It’s a form of trading objects and meeting each other’s needs through the act of giving and reciprocating, as opposed to bartering or trading within a “market economy”. In a gift economy, people who have things give them willingly, with the expectation that the favour will be returned. In a gift economy, the type of thing or amount given, depends on what each party has and what they might need. The closer the relationship between both parties, the better understanding they will have of what each other has and needs. Human societies have been using gift economies to meet their needs long before the advent of market economies - which reduce transactions into fixed monetary prices. In fact, we all still continue to participate in gift economies all the time - here are some examples: -When you go to someone’s house for dinner you would not expect to be charged a price, but it would be considered polite to bring something with you, offer assistance, or return the invitation in future. -You might help a friend or move, or lend your neighbour some tools or equipment, they might get you some beers in return, or maybe you rest assured that you can ask for their help when you need it. -You might ask someone for directions, or advice, and they will provide it without charge, because they understand that sharing and helping is good. When someone feels like they are being abused or taking advantage of people, they lose interest in maintaining the relationship and future gifts may not be offered. Sometimes they will even be upset. How much should I give? Here at Yours we participate in a gift economy. That means we make things and we give them away, with the expectation that you will give us something in return, depending on how much you have. You can give us money (most people have it in a bank account) or you can give us other useful things that you might have lots of. Feel free to ask if something is of use to us or not. If you want to give us money, here are some suggestions: $ (The cost of you last pair of shoes) / 4 $ (The number of properties your parents own) x 10 $ (The number of overseas flights you have taken in your life ) Nothing (if you have nothing) 0.1% of your annual income You can always start with what you might pay somewhere else, and then adjust it to your privilege. # Open Day Discussion Prep 2/3/25 We live under capitalism. Why is it bad? Some examples: -Capitalism enables exploitation of everything, from people to ecologies. -It enables the concentration of power and privilege to certain people/groups (which Neo-liberal capitalism has only made worse), -Seeks to break things into disconnected and individual units which are more easily marketable. -Puts pressure on our lives and relationships to meet its demands - erodes other types of relationships. -Very bad at considering systems as a whole -Exists in an imaginary world of endless commodification. Market obscures the real world - we are being sold everything all the time, ethics itself has been marketed and cheap fakes are everywhere. What is a worker co-op? -A workers co-operative is kind of like a business but all the workers own it. They are pretty old. -They offer more democracy than an employment structure - not always anti-capitalist or non-hierarchical - but definitely can be. -Usually open to new members. -Flexible and ever-changing with their members. -Coops defy the myths of mainstream economics: more “productive”, better worker well being - longer life expectancy! higher incomes (in cases of traditional market interactions), more resilient to shocks. What are the opportunities of running a worker co-op within capitalism? Some examples: -More autonomy in setting the conditions of production -Less specialisation means more flexibility, opportunities for creativity, more engagement and understanding of whole systems and interrelationships. -More ideas and more nuance/complexity within ideas -no imposed profit purpose from owners - less pressure to depoliticise -can be inclusionary to people excluded by capitalism. -Communal resources & efficiency of scale Why would you want to work with food? Some examples: -Everyone has to eat -It’s yum -The meeting place of people, culture, and connection to the biosphere -Growing discontent with exploitative industrial food production systems -Helping meet a basic need and alleviating the pressure of living under capitalism -Has transformative potential and is already a site of non-capital relations Why would you want to hold public space? Some examples: -Because capitalism has squished public spaces. -Opportunities to build wider and alternative relationships -Social center/space for politics. -To remain open to participation and not become an out-of-touch clubhouse -Not being served well by existing public spaces. What is consensus decision making? ŌPCo makes decisions through a consensus process, guided by the following principle: “Decisions are made by those affected” (This means people who are more affected by a decision should have more influence in it) “The principle of consent has some subtle, but important, differences from the use of unanimity. While unanimity seeks agreement by all, consent seeks permission to take action where there is no reasoned objection. Making decisions based on consent allows for informed risk-taking, information based reasoning, adaptability, whole ownership, and accountability at every level of the organization.” - Adaptation from Sociocracy For All. How is our co-op organised? ŌPCo has different syndicated for different activities: eg. Bakery, Kitchen, Events, Farming, Media, Arts. etc. It also has caucuses which meet to research and discuss specific topics. Syndicates or caucasus are formed when a group of people want their own space to organise. Every month (or whenever is deemed relevant by the co-op) we have a General Assembly to make decisions relevant to the Co-op (usually decisions about money the use of space at 43 Moray) Socio-biosphere Social and ecological impacts are inextricable. Some considerations we have made include the following: Food Supply: Our current food supply is selected based on a value of proximity Why might we want proximity to material sources? Some examples: -Can deeper understand the conditions of production, and understand its effects -Can form relationships with people and materials outside of commercial relations -Enables us to see a system of complexity in ways that “ethical benchmarks” or certifications does not paint -Intuitive exercising of values -Integration into a socio-biosphere (Food for a post-capitalist future document) Why do pay-as-you-want? Some examples: -Responsive to the vast wealth inequalities of late capitalism -food can be free for those who need it. -Accessibility to “more just” modes of production -Humans have used gift economies forever -Builds relationships. -Reframes the value of goods and labour. (Gift economy explainer) The ultimate, hidden truth of the world is that it is something that we make, and could just as easily make differently. - David Graeber