A modest proposal

When we frst set up the International Socialist Network our stated aims were to
do three things:
1. To set up a network of activists for those who had recently left the Socialist
Workers arty! in order to ensure that we stayed in touch and people did
not drop out of revolutionary activity as a result of the faction fght in the
SW.
". To form a network of socialists to share ideas and information a#out
activity in which they are involved.
$. To discuss and reassess the IS tradition.
We often argued %uite clearly that we did not view ourselves as a revolutionary
party in em#ryo! nor did we want to set up &ust another sect with its own 'Ss!
programme! and modus operandi which would e(clude people from getting
involved or set parameters to activity.
)owever! very swiftly we did #egin to set ourselves up as a small revolutionary
organisation! and fell #ack into the ha#it of measuring our success in the same
way* the volume of literature we produce! the si+e of our meetings! our level of
recruitment, whether we are -punching a#ove our weight.. The reasons we did
this were pretty straightforward. We were hoping within the frst year of our
e(istence to attract! and unite with! those mem#ers of the opposition who
remained in the SW to fght until the ne(t conference /many of whom are now
mem#ers of rs"10. In order to do so we felt we had to appear to #e a -success.!
and that success was measured in the old way. 1nother reason is that we %uickly
entered discussions with other organisations* the 1nti*2apitalist Initiative!
Socialist 3esistance and Workers ower! a#out forming a united organisation.
This re%uired us to have some level of organisational cohesion. 4inally! we simply
slipped into old ha#its! and genuinely wished! even though we wouldn5t admit it!
to form a revolutionary organisation of the old model. We adopted an
organisational structure that in fact di6ered very little from 7eninist
organisations! and in fact would even have #een cum#ersome for a much larger
organisation.
The main #ody which is meant to provide organisation! coordination and
leadership to the Network has #een the Steering 2ommittee. It has three o8cers
and several nationally elected mem#ers! along with a delegate from each caucus
and up to two from each #ranch. The nationally elected positions must #e 9:;
women! as does one of the delegates from each #ranch. This model was set up
with the #est of intentions* to ensure that larger num#ers of people were
involved in the leadership! and to ensure ma(imum participation. )owever! given
the small si+e of the organisation! it has led to a num#er of pro#lems. Such a
relatively large #ody has in fact #ecome a #lock to activity and discussion for
those mem#ers of the Network not on the Steering 2ommittee. <iscussions
a#out new initiatives tend to #e raised on! or su#mitted to! the Steering
2ommittee which could easily #e conducted through the various forums* national
meetings! email lists 4ace#ook pages* which could include wider layers of people.
4urthermore! the discussions on the Steering 2ommittee can tend to slow down!
or even o#struct! the a#ility of mem#ers to take their own initiatives. The role of
a leading committee in a network of activists should #e to facilitate and
encourage activity of mem#ers! yet unfortunately it seems in our case to #e
doing the opposite.
The #eneft of a nationally elected committee should #e that it facilitates
discussion within the Network! organises national activities and events! and
provides organisational support for individuals5 and groups5 initiatives where
re%uired. The Steering 2ommittee does not do this! and the manner in which it is
structured makes it ill*suited for these tasks. This is not to criticise those who
have taken on the responsi#ilities of #eing on the Steering 2ommittee and
carrying out o8cer roles. =uch time and e6ort has #een put in and many have
contri#uted strongly to the Network > though we would argue that most of that
activity has #een that of any keen mem#er and unrelated to the Steering
2ommittee as such.
1t any point since the Network was formed! it has always #een a minority of the
Steering 2ommittee which has carried out organisational tasks. This is not
unusual or surprising* having the time to carry out such tasks when it is not a full
time &o# re%uires a set of personal circumstances which only a small minority
have. )owever! the inclusion on our main coordinating and organising #ody of a
num#er of people who do not coordinate or organise things adds to the slow and
uncoordinated nature of our organisational work! as the Steering 2ommittee is in
danger of #eing a talking shop.
We propose to rea8rm our original commitment to #eing a network rather than a
party! and therefore to reduce the num#er of national positions to the #are
minimum! and the a#olition of the Steering 2ommittee. olitical discussion and
initiative must #e returned to the mem#ership.
1s a di6erent way of doing things! we?re making a further proposal:
Working groups
We?re hoping someone can come up with a #etter name! #ut the idea works like
this:
When the Network comes together in a national meeting! people might propose
an area of activity. 4or e(ample! Simon ) and =ark @ suggested a num#er of key
areas in their contri#ution to the last #ulletin! among them:
Working in the antifascist networks but being clear about the importance
of an anti-racist and anti-capitalist argument - without which the struggle
against fascism is always being waged with one hand behind our backs.
The primary focus of socialists has to be popularising anti-racist and anti-
capitalist ideas amongst the working class as a way of dealing with the
causes of fascism, not just fghting the symptoms.
So if we want to make this happen! si( people /including at least three women0
will #e elected to lead and co*ordinate this area of work. That should mean that
we don?t agree that something is -key. to us unless we have people who are
ready! willing and a#le to make something happen. It should means that those
who are most motivated to work on that particular issue do so. 1nd it should
mean that those who do not take part in this activity are free to concentrate on
other areas.
When the working group is set up! we should agree what we think it should #e
trying to achieve > say over the period to the ne(t national meeting. The working
group itself would report #ack to the Network at each national meeting! and in
#etween times needs to make sure that everyone in the Network can take part in
discussions and knows what activities are #eing planned. art of the convenor?s
role will #e to make sure this happens.
1 working group could also #e set up for a single event > for e(ample! 3ich T has
revived the proposal for a political festival. 1gain! if there are enough people who
want to work hard on this idea! they can #e elected and tasked with getting it
moving.
We?ve said that no*one should #e involved in more than a couple of working
groups at any one time > that?s partly to avoid the danger of a leadership group
#eing entrenched #y default! and partly to try to ensure that people really
concentrate on the things they are motivated #y. We?ve also kept the
re%uirement to ensure at least 9:; representation of women on every group and
among the elected o8cers. While this can #e hard to achieve! it is important to
strive for.
In order to put these changes into e6ect! we need a fair few rule changes > and
so #elow we have a proposed new set of rules /constitution0. We?ve also included
the -Where we Stand. /unamended0 as appendi( i and the 2omplaints rocess
/with minimal updates! to ft in with the changes a#ove0 as appendi( ii.
Amma 3 > Norwich
Bath N > She8eld
Bris S > 7ondon
Steven A > 7ondon
Tim N > @ristol
N1=A
The Network shall #e known as the International Socialist Network
13TI2I1TICN
The Network is open to anyone who agrees with the -Where We Stand. at
1ppendi( i! wants to work alongside others within the Network and is willing
/even if not always a#le0 to pay a regular su#scription.
The 2omplaints Droup has the power to restrict participation in the Network as it
sees ft under the 2omplaints procedure at 1ppendi( ii. Should anyone who has
#een e(pelled from another organisation for oppressive #ehaviour wish to
participate! the 2omplaints Droup will decide whether such participation is
appropriate.
=em#ers of one or more other socialist or working*class movement organisations
are welcome to participate in the Network.
C3D1NISIND TCDAT)A3 WIT)IN T)A NATWC3B
articipants in the Network are entitled to &oin together to discuss the IS
Network! its politics and organisation! at any time and in any forum they wish to.
The Network particularly encourages self*organisation #y those who self*identify
as #elonging to an oppressed group. Such self*organisation will #e supported
and facilitated #y the convenor.
The policy and activity of any self*organised groups will #e decided #y those
participating in those groups! without interference.
3A3ASANT1TICN C4 WC=AN CN NATWC3B @C<IAS
The Network will always strive to ensure that at least 9:; of each and every
#ody elected will comprise people who self*identify as women. If at any point this
is not achieved for any #ody! that #ody5s primary task will #e to rectify the
situation.
'@7I21TICNS
1n elected group of si( people * at least three of whom will #e self*identifed
women > will take responsi#ility for all Network pu#lishing * physical and
electronic. None of the national o8cers will #e a part of this group.
WC3BIND D3C'S
The Network may from time to time elect > in a national meeting > working
groups to co*ordinate specifc areas of work. These will usually #e made up of si(
people! at least three of whom will #e self*identifed women. No person will #e
part of more than two such groups.
<A=C2312E
National decisions will #e made at a national meeting and on the #asis of a
simple ma&ority vote among participants.
In an emergency situation! on the re%uest of at least ten Network participants!
the convenor may call an e*poll to approve the Network5s temporary support for
a new initiative! su#&ect to a simple ma&ority and to the e*poll5s having a num#er
of participants at least e%ual to the attendance at the most recent national
meeting.
<ecisions are not #inding on any individual! e(cept where that person has #een
elected to a national o8cer role and then only when they are carrying out that
role.
1ll positions within the IS Network shall #e flled #y election and will #e su#&ect to
instant recall. 1ny position is open to #eing flled on a &o#share #asis.
N1TICN17 =AATINDS
1 national meeting /N=0 shall #e held at least four times in each calendar year.
The convenor will #e responsi#le for proposing a schedule of meetings si(
months in advance on a rolling #asis. 4urther meetings may #e arranged #y the
convenor in consultation with others in the Network.
Aach national o8cer and each working group shall make a report to each N=.
N1TICN17 C44I2A3S
There shall #e four named o8cer positions! flled #y election at a national
meeting. 1t least two o8cers will #e self*identifed women.
2onvenor > the convenor will #e responsi#le for calling national meetings! !
facilitating self*organisation among mem#ers and ensuring co*ordination among
working groups
Internal communications o8cer > the internal communications o8ce will #e
responsi#le for overseeing internal communications and keeping records of
participants in the Network
Secretary > the secretary will respond to all correspondence and keep the records
of the organisation! including minutes of national meetings
Treasurer > the treasurer will keep all fnancial records and will initiate payments!
which will #e su#&ect to confrmation #y another national o8cer
2C=71INTS
1 2omplaints Droup /2D0 of three > including at least two self*identifed women *
will #e directly elected at a national meeting. No national o8cer will also sit on
the 2D. The 2D will elect a chair from within its num#er. The 2D will e(ist to
consider di8culties #etween participants in the Network which cannot #e
resolved informally. It will follow the procedures outlined in 1ppendi( ii.
2CNSTIT'TICN
This 2onstitution may #e amended #y simple ma&ority vote at a national
meeting.
<ISSC7'TICN
The IS Network may #e dissolved #y a two thirds vote in favour at a national
meeting.
1ppendi( i * W)A3A WA ST1N<
We are a network of activists who #elieve that the present capitalist system!
rooted in ine%uality! e(ploitation and oppression! and driven towards crisis! war
and destruction of the environment! must #e replaced #y socialism: a system of
real democracy and co*operative production for human needs.
Those who produce the wealth under capitalism > the working class > have the
power to overthrow it. The emancipation of the working class can only #e the act
of the working class itself. We stand for the self*activity of the oppressed and
e(ploited! and for socialism from #elow.
Socialism and self*emancipation cannot #e achieved solely #y reforms to
capitalism. The capitalist class will not give up its power willingly and therefore
revolution is necessary to gain socialism.
To achieve this! an independent revolutionary organisation #ased in the working
class > a party > is necessary. We are not that party! #ut work toward its
emergence. This party must #e non*sectarian and democratic.
We oppose all forms of oppression in capitalist society and fght against all their
manifestations! including any within our class and our organisation. This includes
racism! Islamopho#ia! se(ism! disa#lism and trans! #i and homopho#ia. Cur
=ar(ism is feminist and ecological. We are internationalists who oppose
imperialism and all forms of national chauvinism. Cur loyalty is to the working
class! not to nations or states. We struggle against capitalism5s destruction of the
human and natural environment! particularly chaotic climate change that
threatens human civilisation.
1AN<IF ii > complaints group procedures:
The 2D will have the right to co*opt others on to the group if their specifc
e(pertise is re%uired for a particular case.
1ny#ody elected to the 2D must disclose anything they #elieve could impede
their a#ility to work on specifc cases at the frst meeting of the 2D and with the
full confdentiality of those involved. Note that this should include any previous
convictions for violence! etc. > whilst we do not see this in and of itself as a
#arrier to participation! homopho#ic! se(ist or racist violence! no matter how
historic! would preclude comrades from participating in the 2D.
Cnce disclosures are made! it is the decision of other mem#ers of the 2D as to
whether or not the person is a#le to remain part of the 2D.
We #elieve that mem#ers of the 2D should #e open and honest with themselves
a#out any pre*e(isting relationships they made have! and must recuse
themselves from any case where either party is known to them. =em#ers of the
2D will #e open to challenge a#out pre*e(isting relationships #y other mem#ers
of the 2D.
3emit
The 2D will e(ist to determine whether or not it is safe and positive for people
who are complained a#out to remain within the Network > not to determine guilt
or innocence in any case nor to apportion #lame. This fact should #e made clear
to all when a complaint is frst #rought to the group! in order that the limitations
of the 2D are made clear and that people know what they can e(pect from a 2D
hearing.
In all cases! determining safety should mean emotional safety! as well as
physical safety.
1 key part of the role of the 2D should #e to signpost survivors to services
outside the Network that have the skills and e(perience necessary to support
people.
In cases where it is determined that it is physically or emotionally unsafe for a
person to remain in the Network! support services should #e sought for them! in
order that pro#lematic #ehaviour we do not fnd accepta#le in the Network is not
left unaddressed. This should #e o6ered in addition to support services sought
for the complainant.
In cases where it is determined that it is safe and positive for the complained
a#out to remain in the Network! the 2D should undertake any necessary political
education work as re%uired or refer to e(ternal services if necessary.
ractices
The complaints group e(ists in order to resolve di8culties #etween people within
the Network that cannot #e resolved through informal channels. It should not
deal with complaints informally.
If the 2D is approached with a complaint! it should treat it as a formal complaint!
unless vetoed #y the complainant due to serious fears for their emotional or
physical safety.
The 2D is not always going to #e a#le to give a time frame for dealing with a
complaint in its entirety. This is in part due to the understanda#le am#ivalence of
complainants and other parties to the process > people may change their mind!
and more than once.
The 2D should set out time frames for hearings and communication with #oth
the complainant! and the complained a#out. @oth parties should #e
communicated with as regularly as possi#le! and one mem#er of the 2D should
#e nominated as a liaison point with each party in order to ensure consistency of
communication. @oth the complainant and the complained a#out should always
know when their contact point on the 2D will ne(t #e in contact! and should #e
a#le to contact said person in the interim if necessary.
Where appropriate! #oth parties should #e given information a#out the stage the
complaint is at! however the 2D should not divulge information that should
remain confdential. Aach party is to #e communicated with as regularly as each
other in order to ensure ma(imum transparency and accounta#ility.
The 2D will make itself availa#le to any person within the Network who wishes to
intervene in a case whether for the complainant! or the complained a#out. No
information will #e provided to other parties! and it will #e made clear that the
2D can only listen to any contri#utions! and not comment a#out case progression
or likely outcome.
3edress G 1ppeal
The 2D is primarily accounta#le to the mem#ership. It is recalla#le at any time.
The 2D will give a report at each national meeting. The mem#ership will vote to
accept this report! or re&ect it. The vote is not a#out the guilt or innocence of any
of the complained a#out! as that is not what the 2D is there to esta#lish. The
vote will rather #e to esta#lish whether or not the 2D has fulflled its functions of
fairness and ensuring emotional safety.