There will be an OWS Training Day in New York City on December 18th at Pace University, close to Zuccotti Park.

It is our hope that other OWS groups with training needs will join us in planning the event. It will be organized partly through the ‘unconference’ methodology that allows attendees to decide on their priorities and partly by allowing recognized parts of OWS to reserve training space that meets their needs.

We hope that other occupations will join us in planning the training day, tentatively called ‘Training Day @ OWS’. The planning for this day will be open and transparent.

For more details, to join, or space reservation inquiries:

Devin  

Charles  202-460-5199

FAQ:

 

Q: Who can use this space to run trainings?

A: We don’t have a policy on this yet. But the goal is to prioritize trainings held by OWS operations groups, trainings that require tech (A/V equipment, wifi, computer lab), and trainings likely to meet the needs of the occupations in New York City. There are a number of methods of making these determinations, including the unconference model, pre-registration, approval of the agenda by the Communications Cluster, and by securing enough space for all OWS working group requests.

 

Q: How many people can use the training spaces?

A: Right now we are contracting for ten classrooms that can be used by 500 participants. However, it is possible to expand our use of the space if we think it likely that more will attend.

 

Q: Who may attend?

A: This event will be open to the public, and can be used as a recruitment vehicle to integrate new volunteers and activists into our work. However, priority will be given to current members of working groups addressing operational needs of occupations.

 

Q: Who is bottom lining this event? Who is accountable for running it in accordance with the values of OWS?

A: The Tech Ops group, first of all, and secondly the Communications Cluster. This does not mean however, that training is specifically for communications related needs. We are preparing a website and public information to promote the event and make it clear how to apply for training space.

 

Q: What is the relationship with Organizing 2.0 and Netroots New York?

A: Organizing 2.0 is a collective of trainers in online organizing for unions, nonprofits and political activists. Their members are active in various OWS groups. They are running an event called Netroots New York on Dec. 17 -18. They made an offer to carve off the majority of their space on Dec. 18th for the use of the OWS movement. They approached Tech Ops, leading to this proposal. This Training Day does not carry any explicit or implicit message of support for any political organization. No one connected to this event is empowered to speak on behalf of the NYCGA or the Occupy movement.