1 OPERATING STATUTE V.1.1. May 2021 Table of Contents Α. VALUES & OBJECTIVES OF TARATSA FREE SOCIAL SPACE ................. 3 Α1. Building community .................................................................. 3 Α2. Practice/Theory .................................................................... 3 Α3. Everyday life & Authority ........................................................... 3 Α4. Safe space .......................................................................... 3 Α5. Self-Education ...................................................................... 4 Α6. Inclusion ............................................................................. 4 Α7. Mutual Aid ........................................................................... 4 Α8. Non-commercial / non-profit ....................................................... 4 Α9. Power relations on the inside ....................................................... 4 Β. OPERATIONAL RULES OF TARATSA FREE SOCIAL SPACE .................... 5 Β1. Management and General Assemblies ............................................... 5 Β2. Posts and subgroups within the Management Assembly ............................ 6 Β3. Mailing lists .......................................................................... 6 Β4. Communication ....................................................................... 6 Β5. Operation of the teams ............................................................. 6 Β6. Communication with the city ........................................................ 7 Β7. Hygiene of the space ................................................................ 7 Β8. Collective Responsibility ............................................................. 8 Β9. Terms of participation and exclusion from the Management Assembly and Taratsa ........................................................................................... 8 Β10. Dealing with power relations concerning the co-ownership regime ................ 8 Β11. T rafficking and use of substances ................................................. 8 Β12. Good neighboring ................................................................... 9 2 Α. VALUES & OBJECTIVES OF T ARATSA FREE SOCIAL SPACE 3 Α1. Building community ...Enhancing a free/anti-capitalist environment that allows us to know our needs and feelings, to 2 take care of each other and to respect each other freedom and boundaries through a process of communication and interaction. Freedom here should not be equated with "spontaneity", which often carries the remnants of the authoritarian logic with which we have grown up. We want an environment that allows us to collectivize our motivations and desires in the light of the community, with the limits and rules that the community itself sets to protect the freedom for each member. This environment allows us to feel and experiment in our own terms, self-organizing our needs and desires from below and showing collective responsibility and care of the public. 4 Α2. Practice/Theory ... Searching for a balance between theory and practice. We want to feel that the space strengthens our life and expression, but at the same time we have a common organization and goal. The theory and the self-criticism must constantly feed the action in a way that does not block it, while action and appetite for things should not be manifested blindly, but with a sense of responsibility towards what we say and we do. We seek an understanding of individuals as products of social and collective processes, which takes us away from the ideology of "individual responsibility", leading us to a logic of collective responsibility for each other, of protection and care for the space and of love for others and the fields we create together. 5 Α3. Everyday life & Authority ...Carrying out actions that strengthen our social relations and confront domination in all its forms. We want to improve our daily life conditions towards a more equitable and fair direction. We recognize that we are part of today's society and we have specific privileges or positions of power. We try to find ways these privileges and positions of power can be lifted collectively with a view to strengthening the weakest and strengthening the collective. We start from the paradox that we actively support the systems of power that we fight in many different ways in our daily lives. We wonder how we could, in practice, limit exploitative and oppressive relationships between us and outside the collective, creating a examples of other forms of connection, life and struggle. 6 Α4. Safe space ...Creating a safe space where freedom and diversity are enhanced and respected. However, sexist, racist, fascist, homophobic and other problematic or authoritarian behaviors are not welcome. For this reason, we collectively develop mechanisms and tools to deal with such behaviors. By problematic or authoritarian behaviors, we mean those which cause insult, exploitation, manipulation, violation or abuse of individuals, as well as the explicit or implicit logic that accompanies such practices. Such behaviors include also those which undermine the collective efforts and/or put our mental/physical health and safety at risk. Each case will be evaluated and managed differently, depending on its motivation, intensity and frequency. The first step is a conversation and/or a self-education process, and the final step is the exclusion from the space. There is also a "Watchtower Combo" (see more in B2 section, “Posts and subgroups within the Management Assembly”), whose people in charge change cyclically every month. Problematic behaviors and any kind of problems in relation to the space can be discussed with the Watchtower Combo. Through such processes we aim to reach a fair resolution of every issue and, at the same time, educate ourselves on the basis of a libertarian value framework that actively seeks free expression, horizontality, honesty, companionship and mutual aid. We recognize that we are products of an individualistic, consumerist, exploitative and authoritarian society and culture, and we want to build a community and culture that fights this entrenched logic in practice, while, at the same time, functions as an open field for cooperation and transformation for every person involved. 3 7 Α5. Self-Education ...Creating collective tools for the development of knowledge, resilience and strength of each individual against the dominant ideologies, powers and daily opressions. We try to share experience and knowledge equally through free discussions, self-education processes and research groups. Our main concern is how the knowledge and the empowerment tools we share or co-create can truly become a common property and be socialized, so for them not to be in the hands of a closed circle or exclusive to some "experts". 8 Α6. Inclusion ...We want Taratsa to be a place really open and inclusive for people who visit and participate in it. We do not want to create “cliques” or “group of friends” which isolate and exclude individuals, because they distort the truth or establish power relations in order to serve their individual interests. 9 Α7. Mutual Aid ...We aim to care for ourselves and for the problems and difficulties of others through companionship, solidarity and mutual aid. We explore different forms of social organization and social economy, looking for tools, channels and methods to carry out our projects. For example, free exchange of skills and services, providing spare parts, gift bazaars, mutual aid actions, social kitchen, etc. 10 Α8. Non-commercial / non-profit ...Taratsa is neither commercial nor for-profit. It is financially supported by free contributions from its members and the people. The money is used for the operating expenses of our collective project, for the financial support of people in need and for other social projects and struggles. 11 Α9. Power relations on the inside ...Reflection on power relations must be practical and continuous. The collective body must constantly work on balancing power imbalances in relation to property, class, gender, race, sexuality, psychological and physical peculiarities, age, experiences, diet and other differences. The collective body must also prevent the creation of hierarchies or subgroups of influence on the processes of the space and ensure the conditions that allow each member to express themselves equally and without fear, not allowing the operation of processes outside the collective (e.g. in terms of cliques or circles of political influence). Such external processes create views and strategies that come pre-determined at the general and management meetings. 12 Β. OPERATIONAL RULES OF TARATSA FREE SOCIAL SPACE 13 Β1. Management and General Assemblies The Management Assembly is held at the beginning of each month and its aim is to deal with issues of operation of the space and the teams, raising financial issues as well as aspects of implementation or revision of the operating statute of Ταράτσα. This meeting is closed and includes cyclically 4 members of the teams of Ταράτσα, who participate in the space status of collective ownership. The quorum for decision making in issues, suggestions or creation of new teams is the presence of at least half of the Management Assembly. The quorum for strategic and political issues and in relation with the values and objectives of the collective is four fifths (4/5) of the members the Management Assembly. In the Management Assembly the presence of at least two member of each team is considered as a quorum. The possibility of veto must only be used for serious reasons. The objectives of the Management Assembly are: 1. Appointment of people in charge of the posts for the month. 2. Defining the programme and allocation of hours to the teams. 3. Planning for financial obligations and maintenance of the space. 4. Approval of new teams. 5. Solving problems between members and between teams and other issues related to the management of the space. 6. Revision of the Operating Statute of Taratsa. Extraordinary meetings on urgent matters can be called by both the people in charge of posts, the members of the Management Assembly and the rest of the members of the teams. The General Assembly is celebrated monthly, its organisation is done in the context of the activities of the teams. It is public and open to everyone. In this assembly, the teams present their work and plans. Anyone can attend, make suggestions and get in touch with the teams. It is a meeting for exchanging ideas and experiences of the teams as well as make the acquaintance of new people. For this reason, no decisions will be made in the General Assembly, although there will be a fermentation for proposals that will be discussed in the Management Assembly. New members can participate in the Management Assembly after creating or participating in a team, having attended to a number of meetings (General Assembly and team meetings) that will be considered sufficient by the Management Assembly, and after committing to comply with the existing Operating Statute. Members interested in creating a new team must express their interest in the General Assembly and submit a proposal via email to the Management Assembly, explaining in simple words what they will do and why they want to be housed in Taratsa (see more in B5 section, "Operation of the teams"). To create a new team a minimum number of two members is needed. The next scheduled or extraordinary Management Assembly will take a decision and inform the team via email. If a cultural/social/political group wishes to use the space or to be housed in Taratsa, they can send their proposal and reasons via email to the Management Assembly. The next scheduled or extraordinary Management Meeting will make a relevant decision or will invite the requesting group to an acquaintance meeting, informing the requested group via email. 14 Β2. Posts and subgroups within the Management Assembly 1. Space Procurement Group : its responsibility is recording the logistical needs of the space and supplying the things needed. 2. Area Responsibility Group : its responsibility is the wider management, including financial or logistical problems and obligations in relation to the site. 3. Watchtower Combo: the problems related to the space are first managed by this group, 5 which organizes the response. It is the first channel of communication for both space and personal issues among the members of the Taratsa. Its role is to offer support to people on sensitive issues, to organize support anonymously and to report problems to the Management Assembly when the people directly involved do not want to do it themselves. 4. Communication Group: its responsibility is the management of the communications, the website and the social media of the Taratsa. This includes monitoring and updating our media, answering questions and making changes in the mailing list. 15 Β3. Mailing lists Taratsa has two mailing lists: one closed and one open. The closed mailing list is used for information and communication between the members of the Management Assembly of Taratsa. The open mailing list is used for information and communication with old members and other people interested who want to be informed or support the project of Taratsa and do not have the opportunity to participate in the assemblies, so that we can achieve the sociability and inclusion we desire for the space. 16 Β4. Communication 17 Communication takes place mainly and primarily through the assemblies, where all decisions are made. The Management Assembly and the General Assembly have a mailing list and a chat (via social media, signal or element apps). The mailing list must be used responsibly to avoid spam. Minutes taken in the meeting, proposals for extraordinary meetings and proposals for fermentation/conversation are sent there before the next meeting. Each member of the Management Assembly and the Teams must check their e-mails regularly, replying and informing if they can not attend to a meeting. We must respect the time and availability of the other members and we appreciate that members inform in time via e-mail about our own availability. Chat can be used for more immediate matters or updates. Beyond that, each team that operates or is housed in Taratsa has its own operating and communication procedures. In order to make social and inclusive our collective project, public actions and events are to be announced publicly before, during and/or after their performance through posters, flyers, social networks, word of mouth, etc. 18 Β5. Operation of the teams In Taratsa there are groups that are housed in the space and teams of the social space itself, which have their own procedures and operating framework. They engage in different activities such as political or cultural activism, mutual aid, self-education, self-publishing, etc. The Management Assembly and the General Assembly are both the common ground and the social platform through which the teams and groups operate in Taratsa. Thus, it is considered very important for the members of the groups and teams to seek communication and cooperation with each other and to respect the collective procedures and the Operating Statute of the space that houses them and in which they must have an active participation. The common ground and the social platform offered by Taratsa aim to create a community that multiplies the forces of the groups and supports them in practice through mutual support. The teams are proposed to the Management Assembly and they are accepted or rejected based on the values and objectives recorded in the Operating Statute of Taratsa. The creation of a team 6 requires the participation in the collective ownership of the space by at least two people who participate in it. The Management Assembly monthly allocates hours to each team and to do so the team must be represented by at least two members in the Management Assembly. All team members must respect and defend the rules and principles of the space and actively participate in the Management Assembly. Every new group that wants to be created must present a brief description or plan to the Management Assembly, including basic information in relation to what it is, what it wants to do and why it wants to do it in Taratsa, having a clear commitment to comply with its Operating Statute. The same applies to other proposals for events, performances, actions in the space that may not be organized exclusively by the teams of Taratsa. 19 Β6. Communication with the city Taratsa, as a social space, must have a relationship of good communication with the people of the city in terms of inclusion and information. This communication is done primarily by the means of communication (counter-information media) created in the space such as the space itself, the website, the social media, and other materials like radio and video. Other means of communication that serve to the purposes of better inclusion and information are not to be excluded. Through these means of communication each team can make their speech and actions public and visible. The reason for creating a social space is socialization. Socialization connects to the society and the commons as well as to participation and communication. If a social space is predominantly based on relationships between people who already agree, know each other and hang out together, socialization is blocked and isolation prevails. The official website is the primary communication and information source of the parts related to the Management Assembly, and from there it is shared through other means of communication (social media, email, radio, video, etc.). The communication should not only be part of the digital world, but also look for other analog and natural ways of communication (posters, t-shirts, flyers, informative actions, etc.). Another goal is the material sharing of knowledge and tools that we acquire and develop through our meetings, self-education processes and research projects. 20 Β7. Hygiene of the space The hygiene of the space is a collective matter. In order to promote self-organisation and self- management, we must keep in mind that the things are not self-cleaned. Each team and group must leave the place as it was received and inform the Management Assembly of any needs, problems, damages or losses in the area. It is also the responsibility of each team and its members to inform the people coming to the space about what self-organisation means, both in practice and economically, letting know we ourselves should pick up our rubbish and throw away our ashes. Taratsa must not be understood as a shop: it operates on the basis of self-management with a logic of collective responsibility for ourselves, others and the space. The cultivation of a culture of self- management and collective responsibility within and outside Taratsa has implication on a practical level. 21 Β8. Collective Responsibility We must promote collective responsibility and be as consistent and realistic as possible about what we undertake. If we undertake something that we can not accomplish or we are facing difficulties, we must inform to the body of the assembly, so we develop and establish relations of mutual 7 understanding and mutual aid between us. If we try to do everything, we cannot be consistent in the things we undertake on an ongoing basis. If we try to do everything, we end up burdening other members with more responsibilities. We need to consider how each member can contribute according to their capabilities and how we can offer to each member according to their needs. This comes through a sincere effort to understand the personality, the health, the living conditions, the capabilities and the schedule of each member, in particular, and others, in general. In this way we built relationships of sympathy and trust. 22 Β9. Terms of participation and exclusion from the Management Assembly and Taratsa There must be clear rules on how a person becomes a member of Taratsa and when is excluded, as well as the conditions and length of the exclusion. All members should understand which behaviors are not tolerated and which steps are to be taken when those behaviors need warning, collective response (for instance, by self-education processes) or immediate response. These aspects become clearer through the collective management of specific cases and problems. The knowledge and collective experience acquired through such cases must be recorded in written form in a separated file. In glaring cases of problematic behaviors, the final exclusion of members and individuals is a decision of the Management Assembly and it is based on the clear violation of the values and operational rules of Taratsa. 23 Β10. Dealing with power relations concerning the co-ownership regime The teams must be represented cyclically in the Management Assembly, which means that the members who represent their teams in the Management Assembly alternate on a regular basis. Likewise, the members must cyclically participate in the joint ownership of the space. At the same time, the processes of the space must be experimented allowing for the equal expression of all members. 24 Β11. Trafficking and use of substances The trafficking and use of any substances, as well as the abuse of alcohol in the area, is expressly prohibited. A violation of this rule can lead to chronic exclusion from the space. We have found that the trafficking and use of substances in our spaces in the current social context usually promotes antisocial, manipulative and abusive behaviors in the name of an "alternative lifestyle", which reproduce relationships of interest and dependence around cliques and groups of friends, putting both our physical and psychological integrity at risk, as well as reaching the point to undermine our collective processes, depoliticizing and weakening them. The ban aims both to protect people coming to Taratsa (on the 6th floor of an apartment building) and to manage problematic behaviors caused by the use of substances. So, smoke your cigarette or get wasted by the sea, not in Taratsa. 25 Β12. Good neighboring Taratsa coexists in a space with other people, on the roof of an apartment building in the city center. There must be good behaviour towards the apartment building and the neighborhood, being not noisy when we enter the area, paying attention to hygiene issues and respecting quietness during the nighttime hours of common rest. Noisy work and events must be done at times when the apartment 8 building and the neighborhood are not disturbed or in consultation with them. There must be respect for the people who live here. 9