Process & Vision
Posted by: uberhill on: July 14, 2009
I’ve been asked what neighborhood this will be in, where the money is coming from, what programs it could offer and whether we’ll have vending machines. My favorite is: “What’s the vision?” to which I respond, “What do you think it should be?”
Each of the contributors here know what their own vision is, but it is important to hear what other ideas may be out there. This site is a key part of the process of developing a shared vision, with the contributions of anyone who wants to participate. I’m not disturbed that a final outline of the center and its programs is still wanting; I’d be far more worried if someone handed one down from a mountaintop and declared: It Shall Be So.
I submit that the only question immediately relevant is “What would we like to see in a community center?” All the other questions will be important in their turn, but this needs to be first because it’s the foundation.
What is the process from there? What kind of structure, finance, rules and whatnot will we develop? I don’t know yet. To decide any of that before we finish developing a vision is foolish. That’s the point of a vision: it’s the end in mind when you figure out a path to accomplish it.
So for now, let it be enough that we’re talking, listening, brainstorming.
So, ideas?
14 Responses to "Process & Vision"
July 14, 2009 at 4:29 pm
So, here is what I see as some of the lines in the sand.
We know the geek community has many faces and I believe the general concensus is that a Geek Community Center should attempt to be inclusive. What we are looking to build, at its core, is a place, a physical location that will serve as a meeting/gathering place and office space for those in the geek community. I believe that first and foremost such a center should be focused on fostering geek groups (through meeting spaces) and act as a common grounds for bringing those groups together. I think what this means is we need a building with office space and storage that can be rented out to conventions and established geek groups. I believe that renting out such space can be a good way to help generate a modest amount of income for the building. We need a building that has meeting space. Space enough to hold meetings for 50-150 people or more, in addition to some smaller break out spaces. I think that at a base level, we should at least be able to fill those needs. Anything else would be additional to the vision, but not necessarily in the scope if the funds are not available.
I think we also need to recognize that some of what we do will appear as exclusionary to some, and while we can do our best to address that with opportunity, reality says that not all needs can be met equally. We need to be willing and ready to face that, and the fights that that may entail. We also need to be ready to tell some groups that our space is not available for them and we need to be clear as to why. We need to define what is inside and outside of our scope for geekdom. For myself, this falls somewhere between, “I know it when I see it”, and wikipedia’s article on geeks. Is a baseball club in scope? Is a baseball card collectors club in scope?
More to come…
July 14, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I think it is important that if there is a superstructure (SS) of some sort that a couple things should be maintained. There should not be interference by the SS in the way each organization runs it’s business. Obviously there should be communication and coordination, but when Group A decides to do event B the SS should have no veto power over Group A. 2 more points which should never be lost, we are in truth not first and foremost a group member, we are individuals who have more or less common interests; no one should be treated as a MISFITS, ATC.FENSTF, or a Klingon, they should be treated as individuals first last and always. Secondly, and this is true no matter what organization you are talking about, organizations are the servants of the fans, not vice versa.
I know that you guys already know this, but theses things can’t be stated enough IMHO.
July 15, 2009 at 9:39 am
All I ask is that we not use the term SS, if at all possible!
Last thing I need is to be called a “bunch of fucking nazis” or somesuch!!
July 14, 2009 at 5:28 pm
“What would we like to see in a community center?”
Meeting space – Generic office like space. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but would likely have to a fairly open floor plan to accommodate what some of the larger conventions use monthly at the hotels. However, at the same time, should have some smaller rooms to accommodate smaller activities. It seems likely that we’d have to host several activities at once.
Office Space – Could be a shared design, small cube farm. Something where work could be done. I don’t see this as the focus point of a center, but something that would be useful.
Function Space – Large Open spaces. Could be use to construct something, host a geek prom, AV Presentation, maybe even nerd dodge ball (everyone would get picked last). Tall space, open. Could be large garage space, gym, warehouse, etc. But BIG.
Storage Space – Secure, perhaps with partitions/cages. Could be a basement or warehouse.
Parking!
My overall vision is SPACE SPACE SPACE. Many types, for different geek functions. I think just getting office space that emulates a hotel meeting room is too limiting. The types of buildings I see this working in are hybrid office spaces. Usually the front side of the building is office space and the rear is warehouse/industrial floor/Garage.
July 15, 2009 at 10:27 am
This post is very much in line with my own thoughts about how to look at this project. We should not be saying “this won’t work because….”
What I would like to hear is “This *could* work if…..”
It is easy to dismiss a new big idea. It is harder to take a step back and try to figure out what will make it work.
So in keeping with my own philosphical point of view, this is my response:
This could work if…
The parent organization is insulated from the member organizations and they are insulated from it. In other words – the parent doesn’t tell MISFITS how to spend money. It doesn’t tell CONvergence or Anime Detour how to run their conventions.
BUT, if CONvergence has a disaterous financial year, the parent organization does not suffer because of that.
This could work if….
The parent organization is truly a support organization that provides a benefit that makes membership something to be desired.
This could work if…
It is managed independantly of any of the member organizations.
This could work if…
It provides a space that is truly a community space. Open to all in the community.
The space does not need to be a perfect space for *every* event the member organizations wish to hold. In fact I don’t think that would be possible. What it needs to be is a space that provides a good option that the member organizations would use frequently.
I’m sure I could think of more. I would disagree with the concept that there is no vision. I think there is a very strong vision. The vision is for an organization that provides support for the local fan community to any other organization that *wishes to have that support.*
July 15, 2009 at 11:24 am
Yep! I’d go so far as to say don’t call it a parent organization at all. It wouldn’t be. It would be a partner.
July 16, 2009 at 8:39 am
Very good point. I’m not even sure that partner is the most descriptive and evocative term but “parent” most certianly is not.
July 15, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Would I be right in understanding that it will take quite a bit of discussion and thought before this can be boiled down into a simple, consise vision statement to rally around?
July 15, 2009 at 9:56 pm
That would be my understanding! And one of the reasons for this blog would be to collect all of the thoughts together and focus them.
July 15, 2009 at 6:33 pm
The mission has to be such that no one segment of our community could handle it by itself. That means doing big things, things that require–no, compel–collaboration. If we want to get this project going, then the driver to make it happen has to be something we need that’s akin to the mission to put a man on the moon. There must be a driver program which requires collaboration across all of our community’s segments to achieve, and in so doing make clear just how a community center would benefit all of us. I propose, in recognition of our emerging young generation of fans, the creation of a geek canon- a body of notable and influential works, across all media and genres, that form the bedrock of our culture.
July 16, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I think the emphasis on getting the vision for this organization straight is a good sign, and is definitely something that needs to be done before you move on to other questions about organization and buildings. I also think PSR is on point when he looks at this from the perspective “This could work if…”.
Jon Olsen
Michael Lee
Lex Larson
uberhill
stuckintraffik
July 14, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I feel that it will be essential for us to define scope and limits early on in this process. As we gather and brainstorm ideas clear common ground should appear on a number issues, but the edges will be very hazy and ill-defined. I feel that it will be crucial for us to mark off those edges and provide the outline. To borrow from construction, we need to dig a hole and place stakes in the earth to mark our foundation before we can pour it.
Even with some of the questions we ask, I think that as we progress we need to start asking more defined and closed questions, in place of the open ended ones. That said, the open ended questions are the best starting point to grab as many ideas as is possible, but they are difficult to answer.
I think another first step is to begin to define, clearly, a core group (I think we sort of have in a manner), who can help to guide are questions and answers. We want the community center idea to be community driven, but without clear leaders to turn to we will be lost. That is a part of the structure that we need, I feel, in order to move forward, beyond step zero.
I hope its not too cheesy for me to use the metaphor of “building” a building, but I feel it will help lend structure to what I would say.
I see the leaders as our architects, providing the outline; drawn to our needs as a community from what we have requested, in only the way an architect can do. I feel that with a good leadership, we can begin organizing our community’s talents to then begin working on the other structures, rules, and goals we need. I fear that without an organizing structure and recongized leadership, this dream, this vision, will never become real.
July 14, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Oh, and this is Joshua Spotts, btw
I am a Board Member for Anime Twin Cities (Anime Detour). Though my views and opinions do not necessarily reflect that of Anime Twin Cities. In this forum I speak as Josh, and only with my Board’s blessing will I speak on their behalf.
July 14, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I don’t disagree with you at all here.
This phase we’re in is really about setting up the broad vision from the wide community and from multiple corners of it — what do we want? how do we do it? what additional organizational structures do we need, and how do our existing organizational efforts work with it?
As we move through this process in the coming weeks and months, we’ll get much more focused and get more clarity.