A Living Document — Open to Evolution & Refinement
Community & Governance Framework*
This framework ensures that the space operates efficiently while fostering inclusivity and active engagement. Our model is designed to balance operational efficiency with creative input, providing a clear framework for the smooth running of daily activities while allowing the community to have a say in larger decisions. The following framework outlines the roles of the operations team, supporters, and members, illustrating how these different levels of involvement contribute to GUSHER’s growth and sustainability.
Operations Team
Core Management
Roles & Responsibilities
Manages daily operations, logistics, programming, finances, and community/space maintenance. Ensures everything runs smoothly without needing constant community votes on routine decisions.
Supporters & Members
Influence & Participation in Decision-Making
Supporters and members play an essential role in shaping the direction of the community, contributing to key decisions and initiatives. While not involved in the daily operational decisions, they are engaged in guiding major financial and strategic choices, particularly when it comes to investments and the allocation of funds. Their involvement is rooted in a participatory model, ensuring that their perspectives influence the broader goals and long-term vision of the space without directly managing its operations. This structure allows for meaningful input while preserving the operational efficiency provided by the core management team.
Core Philosophy & Values
we are committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and nurturing environment for all. We acknowledge the essential nature of diverse voices and perspectives, understanding that a thriving community is one where every individual feels valued and respected. Our space is designed to empower artists, creatives, and collaborators from all walks of life, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to create, contribute, learn, and grow together. This commitment to inclusivity shapes everything we do, from our programming to our community agreements, creating a foundation where creativity can flourish without barriers.
Growth and evolution are at the heart of our collective ethos. Nothing is fixed or final at GUSHER; we grow and adapt with each learning experience, always reflecting the non-extractive, member-driven nature of our community. This ensures that we remain flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each individual, allowing for organic collaboration and progress.
Creative integrity, collective care, and community safety are the guiding principles that shape everything we do.We prioritize accountability over punitive measures, believing that a supportive, transparent approach fosters trust and cooperation among our members. We are committed to maintaining a space where everyone feels responsible for each other’s well-being and artistic growth.
Inclusivity, transparency, and mutual respect are essential to our community. By committing to these values, we create an environment where all members feel safe and empowered to express their artistic vision. We strive to ensure that our space remains open, respectful, and supportive for everyone, allowing creativity to flourish without barriers.
Decision-Making & Member Involvement
We believe that a collective can only be truly inclusive when its members have an active role in shaping it. Decision-making at GUSHER* is designed to be participatory and transparent, ensuring that the space reflects the needs and values of its community. Through structured processes and digital tools, we empower members to engage in discussions, vote on key decisions, and contribute to the evolution of our space.
Active community participation is at the core of our model. Members are encouraged to engage in decision-making through quarterly meetings, scheduled live Q&A sessions via our instagram ‘close friends’ consisting of our community members, and regular public updates on our digital community platform.
Members will have the opportunity to participate in voting sessions hosted on the platform, allowing them to directly influence key decisions and actions. These sessions will be structured to ensure clarity and accessibility, promoting transparency throughout the process.
Collective care and contribution are central. all Members will have voting rights (with a minimum of 70% quorum), ensuring that the space continues to reflect the values and needs of its community.
Community Safety & Dispute Resolution
Creating a safe and accountable environment is foundational to our collective. We recognize that true safety is not just about policies but about fostering a culture of care, understanding, and accountability. Our approach prioritizes transparency, fairness, and conflict mediation over punitive measures, ensuring that issues are handled with empathy and awareness of intersectional dynamics.
Our Code of Conduct will be developed to outline behavior expectations and will serve as the foundation of accountability, ensuring a shared understanding of respectful conduct within the community and specifically within the space.
Transparent incident reporting mechanisms will be put in place to ensure clarity and fairness in responses. Appropriate actions will be taken based on the severity of the situation, always with a focus on resolution and growth.
The operations Team will be responsible of ensuring that cases are handled with fairness, avoiding reactionary or punitive approaches, particularly when considering intersectional factors like race, class, and identity.
Programming & Curatorial Model
Our programming is driven by a balance of collective input and curatorial vision. While we believe in open participation, over the years we also recognized the need and importance for structure to maintain artistic integrity and coherence. we will allow members to propose ideas, initiative and projects but will first be reviewed by the curatorial team then once approved will be put up for member voting. This hybrid approach allows us to support diverse voices while ensuring that each event and project contributes meaningfully to the space’s overarching vision.
Our programming and events follow a hybrid curation model where members can nominate and vote on proposals. A curatorial team ensures that the selections align with the space’s artistic integrity and vision.
Proposals will undergo a structured review process, ensuring they remain focused and coherent, avoiding a chaotic or disjointed series of events.
Financial Governance & Budgeting
Financial transparency is essential to our ethos of collective trust and sustainability. We believe in a participatory approach to budgeting, ensuring that members have a say in how resources are allocated while maintaining financial stability. Through structured voting and periodic reviews, we balance community involvement with responsible governance.
Participatory budgeting is implemented every six months, allowing members to vote on broad budget categories that impact the space. This system ensures that the financial decisions are aligned with the collective priorities, without micromanagement.
By utilizing our digital community platform, we aim to enhance transparency and participation in all aspects of decision-making, creating a space where every voice is heard and valued.