[discuss-dan] notes from "what is dan?" discussion

[Mark Cohen <buildingbridges@mindspring.com>]

Notes from "What is Dan?" discussion, 12/6/00

about 30 people attended what was planned as a free-wheeling discussion
rather than a decision-making meeting
five topics were discussed
1) what is the direct action network?
	The concept of "direct action" was defined loosely as actions that directly
affect a targeted entity or perceived problem and which impose costs on
decision makers if they continue a targeted policy
	there was general agreement that direct action should be a central part of
what DAN is about, but not necessarily only that
	there was general agreement that DAN is not, and not intended to be, an
"organization" but rather an entity composed of organizations
	there was discussion of whether DAN should function as a loose network, as
the name implies, or a "confederation," as was originally consensed on,
which might allow DAN to create an infrastructure which would serve all
member groups; no agreement was reached on this issue, but there was
agreement on DAN as instrument to build a movement in Colorado, and on the
principle of DAN serving as an instrument to allow groups to work together
on common issues while maintaining maximum autonomy
	there was disagreement over whether DAN should function as an identifiably
"radical" group or try to bring to the table a wide range of groups that
identify as "progressive"; while there was no specific agreement reached on
this point, a practical compromise was reached in the discussion re: membership
2) membership
	the group discussed the recent controversy over admission of new groups;
there was general agreement that the problem was not process per se, but a
subversion of process
	but the group agreed that in terms of "membership," DAN should cast as wide
a net as possible, and that any group wanting to involve itself with DAN,
and willing to accept DAN values and principles, should be accepted at face
value and made to feel welcome, and be entitled to a spoke at spokescouncil
meetings
	the feeling was that if at some point a group showed itself to be acting
not according to DAN principles, action could then be taken against it
	to reflect this, it was suggested that we should change language regarding
"membership" in DAN to refer instead to "participating" groups
in accordance with this discussion, this group recommended a change in the
DAN principle regarding membership
	the principle now reads: Founding members of DAN will compose the initial
spokescouncil. They will decide on requests by other groups for membership.
It is assumed that a new group will be welcome to join unless an existing
member objects, in which case the normal decision-making process will be
followed when considering the group's membership. Representatives of new
organization can attend the orientation and petition there for membership.
New members must agree to DAN mission statement, values and principles.
	The recommended revision would read as follows:
New groups wishing to participate in DAN who send a spoke to a spokescouncil
will automatically have status as a participating group with a spoke if
a)they are an active group with membership and b)they agree to DAN mission
statement, values and structure, and act accordingly. 
This proposed change will be on the agenda for the next spokescouncil
3) security
	the group felt no need to discuss this issue beyond reminding everyone to
be aware that "they are listening"
4) conflict resolution/grudges
	it was agreed that we should as much as possible avoid further
recrimination stemming from the recent controversy
	it was suggested that we explore the possibility of a workshop on formal
consensus process; Val Phillips and Stan Wilson agreed to look into this
5) outreach
	discussion of ongoing outreach efforts; general agreement that the best way
DAN can reach out to other groups is to find out what they are doing and
have DAN as a network or DAN members individually support them, while making
them aware of DAN members's presence.


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