Open Letter to Occupy General Assemblies:
Dear Occupy ___,
I love Occupy, and bow in respect to you all. Thank you for being nonviolent. Your bravery in the face of brutality is a message of hope for our children and their future.
I reflect on how to go from "changing the conversation" to "changing the system". The following are some ideas to regarding banking, employment and housing for consideration.
The Occupy Bank
Zero profit banks can be formed based on the Grameen Bank Model, bank for the poor, founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Simply put, 100% of money invested is loaned to poor people starting businesses, when it is repaid, the money is loaned again and again. All records are transparent. It stands in stark contrast to the for-profit financial services model.
The Ultimate Non Profit
Each Occupy Bank would never make a dollar but would serve a vital community interest, providing investor capital to start up business for poor individuals. Investors can include 1% ers who want to "make it right" and 99% ers that want to "change the way we do banking". An investor can get a report of how many times the amount has been reinvested and what the funds are supporting.
Big Banks Keep Your Money, We'll Do It Ourselves
Witness the big banks getting a secret sweetheart $7.77 trillion bailout deal, making billions in profit, turn around and continue to turn the screws, or "reward customers" with record fraudulent foreclosures and financial ruin. A community based response would get seed money to business owners directly. A network of volunteers will work with the micro loan client to ensure success.
Occupy Job Exchange
The Occupy Job Exchange would be a pairing list of jobs available and individuals willing to do volunteer work. The Exchange would be zero profit and would not transact money. Volunteers receive valuable training and job skills, a sense of purpose, and connections to paying jobs. The job seekers can also apply for micro loan funding to start their own business.
Housing First
Housing First is a model used to fight homelessness. It says housing is the most important thing for success and stability. Housing First programs guarantee housing and then work to stabilize each person's situation. Community volunteers meet regularly with the client's efforts toward self sufficiency. Expert social work volunteers help keep case management goals on track. Its a beautiful example of a compassionate community response to remedy a seemingly intractable problem.
Housing first principals commit to:
1. Secure housing for everyone as a basic human right
2. Provide connection to community and resources ensuring continued success and well being
3. Safeguard each individuals right of self determination
These principals can be applied to banking and employment as well:
1. We commit to secure funding to each individual who shows a determination to work.
2. We commit to provide a means of employment and meaningful volunteer opportunities for each individual who seeks it.
3. We commit as a community to provide funding, employment and housing opportunities for all and to work locally to solve problems.
Thank you for your hard work and determination. Peace.