Fall 2009

[kyle]

So what is going on? Who are the Deans?

From what i know, Deans==Galen and Kira

Correct me if I'm wrong. Is there a direction we want to see this shit go? Perhaps we want to emphasize our new direction as an effectively anarchist organization of participatory action. I don't think a lot of people realize, as I have, that our direction is primarily an anarchist one. We have established and began an inspirational process in which those with a drive, passion, and a know-how have taken the reigns without an authoritarian approach. Analogies lay upon our Food-not-bombs chapters which are primarily anarchist. I would to love see this trend continue within this organization.


Take note: Anarchism is not opposed to organization, it is opposed to hierarchy. As long as we all have an equal say, an effectively direct democracy in which consensus is a goal (not representative democracy) is then we're on the right path. There is little wrong with empowering those that represent those goals as long as they represent them.

I plan on creating a thread discussing anarchism soon, so please don't distracted on it. Focus on the issue: What is the focus of our next con and what NWYA (North West Young Adults) will be. I rather Pacific West Young Adults become homogeneous in which everyone from San Diego and Alaska are included.

Discussion:

[Dylan]

Hey Kyle-

You're correct about the deans.

We're not an "effectively anarchist organization." We're not against hierarchy, nor are we entirely severed from the district. We're no longer part of the Pacific NW District, but we're still affiliated with them. We NEED to facilitate some kind of hierarchy in order to keep cons going. Yes, we're now more able to listen to input, but that doesn't make us non-hierarchical. Everybody does have a chance for input, but we still have elected positions to maintain structure and prevent us from splitting into factions.

Yes, a good portion of the reasoning for our split was because we were dealing with a bureaucracy. But we split because that didn't meet our needs, not because we have animosity towards the district. The district will still be a little bit involved, advertising for us, etc.

I know anarchism is kind of "your thing," but I don't think using that label helps us in any way, nor is it true to our desires, as a whole.

All that aside, while I like the idea of "Pacific West Young Adults," our doors aren't closed to Alaska or San Diego, etc. A few people came from near San Diego at the last con, in fact. And Jessie is in touch with churches in Alaska, just in case.

The thing is, we need to have a kind of centralized location. Alaska and California are more than welcome to join us, but if we host a con in Alaska, very few of us will go, etc. By staying PNW, it keeps cons in the Washington-Oregon area, which is roughly in the middle.