These pages are for reference only

A New ORMA

ORMA is in the process of adopting a new structure, where membership defines the direction of the organization, while geographic affiliates and caucuses send representatives to a Statewide Representative Council (RC), which itself selects a seven-member operations management and decision-making Coordinating Committee.   For more on that model, view The Representative Council (RC) Model. 

The first RC meeting is planned for January, 2018. 

Transition Background

Our Revolution Massachusetts (ORMA) members came from everywhere in the Commonwealth to get a big job done. A Ratification Congress gathered on Sunday, November 12th at the SEIU headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts. Over 120 members of ORMA toiled for over five hours to construct a cohesive group by voting on an Organizational Structure hammered out by an ORMA Transition Team.

Of the three presented models of governance, the Representative Council (RC) model was finally chosen and ratified at this Congress.  In addition sixteen amendments were submitted in writing by members with time allowed for pro and con proponents to speak before voting. The recognized importance of what needed to be done kept a healthy attendance until the last ballot was cast. The rules of the day led to an acceptance that a supermajority vote prevailed. Amendments 1,6,7,11,12,14 passed. The General Assembly, Representative model surpassed with a 60% vote.

At the end of this long day, a general positive feeling pervaded the room. Participants mingled with attendees from various parts of the state, ended with a unity circle, and a strong acceptance of what had been accomplished. Filling slots and bylaws will be needed between now and a January Congress to present an operational governing organization.

 

Five Working Groups (“Bucket Groups”)

During its work between the July 29th launch and the November 12th Ratification Congress, the Transition Team executed its responsibilities through five working groups:

  • Communications – Vicki Dzindzichashvili, Bottom-Liner
    Responsible for internal/external communications regarding the transition team.
  • Outreach & Inclusivity – Jeannette Rivera, Bottom-Liner
    Responsible for ensuring that ORMA is able to represent all underrepresented communities, as well as increasing our membership in raw numbers.
  • Program – Bruce Taub, Bottom-Liner
    Responsible for what happens during the convention (speakers, breakout sessions, workshops).
  • Structure – Caterina Strambio De Castillia, Bottom-Liner. Responsible for developing options for ORMA’s internal structure and means of decision making.
  • Logistics – Caterina Strambio De Castillia, Bottom-Liner
    Responsible for planning the non-program elements of the convention: where, when, housing, transportation.

Community Agreements

Consider our community agreements from the meeting whenever you communicate with the group, especially over email. We’re all in this fight together. Let’s remember that the tone we set will undoubtedly influence the convention.

  • When sending/replying to an email, consider whether it really needs to be sent to the whole group. Debates and arguments, in particular, should not be broadcast to the email list. We can expect to disagree on a lot of things, but ongoing email arguments are demoralizing and result in an unmanageable volume of email.

  • We will strive to avoid personal criticisms, and focus on debating our ideas in a positive and collaborative way. We will arrive at the best outcome if we create a safe space to disagree.

  • We will be honest in our feedback with each other, while assuming good intentions on the part of others.

Transition Team Coordinating Committee

Vicki Dzindzichashvili (OR Boston)
Paul DePalo (OR Greater Worcester)
Chris Braiotta (Medford – unaffiliated)
Penelope Jennewein (OR Somerville)

Responsibilities

Continuing the work of the Mission, Structure and Planning Team, the Transition Team was tasked with developing organizational models to present to our members for a vote. The Representative Council was chosen and the Transition Team now provides support through the transition process.  Active teams:

  • Transition Team: The TT helped establish Representative Council model/structure and will continue until the first RC meeting.

    • Elections: certifying and managing the election of RC representatives.
    • Program: managing logistics & planning for the January Representative Council meeting. 
    • Inclusion: Helping coordinate and launch ORMA identity caucuses (visit page for current list) authorized to select representatives to the RC.
  • NEW STRUCTURE

The Representative Council (RC) model was selected at the Ratification Congress in November 2017 as the new Our Revolution structure for Massachusetts. See the full minutes and notes from the Ratification Congress, with links or go directly to a topic:

How to contact:

Transition Team Coordinating Committee, transition@ourrevolutionma.com

Representative Council Membership

Our Revolution Massachusetts elections are coming up fast! 

Affiliate members

Elections take place on December 17, 2017. Affiliates may send one voting representative. If your affiliate missed the December 5th deadline and still wishes to send a representative, please contact by December 10th. You’ll need to supply a membership list of at least 10 people to qualify to orma-elections-committee@googlegroups.com  

*Please note this will not be the ONLY opportunity for your affiliate to elect a representative to the Representative Council (RC). However, participating now will allow your representative to participate in the first Coordinating Committee election.

Unaffiliated members

Members of ORMA who do not currently belong to a local affiliate will also have the opportunity to elect a representative to the RC by Dec. 17th. At present there are three available seats for unaffiliated representatives with only two candidates currently running. If you are an ORMA member who does not belong to a local affiliate and you wish to run, please send a candidate statement to orma-elections-committee@googlegroups.com by Sunday, December 10th.

These candidate statements and instructions for voting will be made available on Wednesday, December 13th.

Each of the three constituent groups that will make up the Representative Council have different voting and election procedures.  Here is a summary; details are below.

Voting Guidelines

Election Planning

*The Elections Committee will announce the number of unaffiliated representatives as soon as it is known. It will be calculated as no more than 10% of the number of affiliate representatives. 

ORMA unaffiliated members who wish to discuss the candidates should join our Slack group HERE and join the #unaffiliated-election channel.

For more information about the Representative Council, see our Working Committees page.

What to expect after the Representative Council Elections

The first Representative Council (RC) gathering for newly elected members is planned before the holidays or soon after (using Zoom or other meeting technology). A late January date will be confirmed for an in-person meeting based on the availability of the new council members.