If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online

The #MutualAidEdition

January 29th, 2019

1. Tomorrow: Ujima Fund Workshop | 2. #CoLearning Recap | 3. #MutualAidEdition | 4. Help Us Reach 100 Investors! | 5. CALL FOR ART! | 6. Ujima is Hiring! | 7. Ujima Time Bank | 8. Membership Renewal | 9. Ujima Study Groups | 10. #UjimAppreciations | 11. Jobs in the Ujima Network | 12. Upcoming Ujima Meetings 

1. Tomorrow: Ujima Fund Workshop!

Our next Ujima Open Meeting is tomorrow night, and we're having a special Ujima Fund Workshop! — Wednesday, January 30th — from 6:00 - 8:00pm!

Dinner will be catered by Haley House. 

PLEASE RSVP: January 30th Ujima Fund Workshop. Thank you! 

Can't be there in person?  The workshop will be recorded and made available for everyone!

Location: City Life/Vida Urbana • 284 Amory Street • First Floor • Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

2. #CoLearning Recap

Check out the notes from last #UjimaWednesday meeting, about the Platform Cooperativism Movement!

 

Check out the slides here.

3. The #MutualAidEdition

Early human societies (thousands of years ago.) Post-Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (September 2017-today). The Underground Railroad (late 1700s). The Zapatistas Movement in Chiapas, Mexico (1983-today). The 35 Day Federal Government Shutdown (December - January 2019). 

What do all of these have in common? 

They all hold examples of human beings practicing mutual aid in the face of dire challenges and danger, when the dominant political or economic system was failing them or was actively causing harm. So what is mutual aid, and why the #MutualAidEdition?

Mutual aid: a voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit. Mutual aid, as opposed to charity, does not connote moral superiority of the giver over the receiver. (Source)

The Government Shutdown was a powerful demonstration that the system controlled by our president and the elite class directly contradicts the spirit of mutual aid, and is designed to exploit and starve working class people for the benefit of a very tiny number of people. There is nothing mutual about it. The response to this crisis by our communities, however, shows that mutual aid is both natural and necessary for the vast majority of us. 

Mutual Aid All Around Us

We know that this shutdown is not an isolated event — it could happen again in two weeks or in two months, and there are so many other ways that we need to continue to support each other. So while we fight to transform the system so that it embodies mutual aid, we always have opportunities to practice mutual aid in our daily lives, relationships, and communities. We wanted to lift up some of the local responses to the recent shutdown that tell this collective story of mutual aid, our communities working to take care of each other, not out of charity or moral superiority, but simply because of our common humanity. Support these efforts!

1. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is calling for us to SIGN ON NOW, to demand back pay for ALL workers impacted by the #TrumpShutdown. 

2. The Twelfth Baptist Church is leading #SustainedInTheShutdown to support families in Boston who are feeling the impacts of the Shutdown most.

Though the shutdown has ended for now, there are still working people who may never be compensated for their lost paychecks, and whose livelihoods may once again be on the line come February 15th. Donations are still rolling in, and the spirit of mutual aid in folks' comments is powerful. Donate here.

"Because I care."

"I got paid today, and other working people didn't."

"It's time we all worked together anyway!"

"I support any cause that supports humanity and community."

 3. Many New England Restaurants Were Offering Deals to Workers Affected by the Shutdown

"Restaurants around the country are offering free meals or discounts on food to affected government employees and their families." Check out the list, though keep in mind that deals may have ended with the end of the shutdown. 

4. Community Members shared resources, like this post about what to do if you have a mortgage during the shutdown: 

5. Credit unions stepped up to support members during the government shutdown. Read more.

6. Movements fighting for housing justice like Cooperation Jackson, City Life/ Vida Urbana, and Right to the City continue to fight to keep families in their homes....as threats of eviction and foreclosure spiked with the shutdown, with Black folks in the south among those most impacted.

7. The Ujima Time Bank is a great example of mutual aid, and a beautiful resource that is available for all to join! Learn more about services available later in this email. 

4. Invest in Ujima, Help Us Reach 100 Investors THIS WEEK!

We’re asking our investors: Why are you #InvestedInUjima?  The responses so far are blowing us away! Stay tuned for a series of quotes, and become invested yourself! 
We're at 74 investors. Join us, help us get to 100 investors this by the end of THIS WEEK!

    

    

Step By Step: How to Become a Co-Investor in the Ujima Fund

Please contact invest@ujimaboston.com with any questions or issues that arise!

  1. Read Ujima's Offering Memorandum. This document describes the risks, regulations, and background of the fund. The Offering Memorandum should be read in it's entirety, with careful attention to the Risk Factors (page 11), Description of Notes (39), and Subordination Agreement (77).

  2. Consult the personal finance worksheet if you are unsure of how much to invest. 
  3. Invest online (multiple payment options available):
    1. Choose the option next to the type of investment you are making.
    2. Complete and sign all forms via Docusign (Investment Agreement, W-9, and Demographic Information). 
    3. After submitting, select your payment option. (You will see instructions on how to send a check if that is your preferred payment.)
  4. OR: Invest via mail:
    1. Choose the option next to the type of investment you are making.
    2. Select the print option on Docusign.
    3. Complete and sign all forms manually (Investment Agreement, W-9, and Demographic Information).
    4. Write a check, payable to the Fund, for the amount you wish to invest in the applicable Notes.
    5. Send the Investment Agreement and your check to the Fund [PO BOX 180310 Boston MA 02118].
  5. Email invest@ujimaboston.com or call 617-446-3863 with any questions 

5. Ujima is Hiring a Business Alliance Coach !

We are hiring a full time Business Alliance Coach, in collaboration with LISC Boston's Boston Builds Credit Program! 

Read the full job description here. Please share widely!

6. Ujima Time Bank 

Do you want to… save money and create community connections while creating a new economy in Boston? ....Join the Ujima Time Bank! www.ujimaboston.com/timebank

Here are a few of the many services offered at ujimaboston.timebanks.org:

  • Event planning
  • ESOL
  • Free Software Consulting
  • Cutting Hair
  • Mediation Services
  • Online Cooking Instructions
  • Child Care
  • Assemble IKEA Furniture (or disassemble)

What is a time bank?
A Timebank is a system of exchange where the unit of value is person-hours. When a member of a timebank performs one hour of service for another member, they are awarded one hour of credit in the Timebank, which can then be redeemed for one hour of service from another member. For example: Samantha can fix Jess’s blinds, and then Jess can teach Freddie Spanish, then Freddie later gives Samantha a ride, and the Timebank keeps track so it’s fair.

7. Membership Renewal!

Renew your Ujima Membership today. We need dedicated members to build a just future, and we’re asking you to join us again for year two. Our goal is to reach 95% member renewals, while growing our overall membership to over 450.  Help spread the word about our network and activities! 

8. Ujima Study Groups

We've had the good fortune to have a few Ujima members propose ideas for study groups for topics they are interested in exploring with fellow members. We are excited to support these proposals as well as kick off as second cohort of our Neighborhood Economics Study Group.

If you've been nursing an idea and have not yet reached out to us, please send an e-mail to nia@ujimaboston.com if you think a Ujima supported study group might be helpful and you'd like to think about co facilitating one.

Ideas we're received so far:

  • Worker Owned Cooperatives
  • Cross Community Online Book Club
  • Urban Agriculture
  • Community Mesh Networks
  • Construction Firms

9. #UjimAppreciations

Thank you to...

  • Alex and the Podcast Garage for the training last weekend!
  • Micky and Chris for the monthlong workshop series, and for donating an Ujima computer to support members' use of Free Software!
  • All of the members supporting tomorrow's Fund Workshop!
  • All of our new business buddies who signed up at last week's meeting!
  • Sarah, Ali, Miriam & Moishe Kavod for organizing an Ujima Fund workshop and bringing in lots of new investors!
  • Oriana, Sara Sargent, and Ron for organizing the Beacon Hill Friends' meeting!

10. Jobs in the Ujima Network!

11. Upcoming Ujima Meetings!

We hold Open Meetings every Wednesday at 6pm, at City Life/Vida Urbana, 284 Amory St. in Jamaica Plain (unless otherwise noted). 

Check out the January Calendar below! Invite a friend: Facebook

#UjimaWednesdays Meeting Agenda:

  • 6:00-7:15 - Community Building + Financial and Political Education.
  • 7:15-8:30 - Member Team Meetings (Based on rotating schedule; See calendar below)

Ujima’s 2019 Member Team Regular Meeting Schedule is below:

  • 1st Wednesdays: Arts & Cultural Organizing | Podcast Creation
  • 2nd Wednesdays: Financial Education | Outreach | Time Banking Outreach
  • 3rd Wednesdays: Anchor Institution Outreach | Fundraising & Investor Outreach
  • 4th Wednesdays: Business Support | Evaluation

www.UjimaBoston.com

To unsubscribe from future mailings please click here.