OBIN and the Future of Basic Income

This brainstorming session is important. The feedback from the Breakout Rooms is essential for our strategic planning and will be discussed in our business meeting this afternoon.

We need to ramp up the pressure on governments to show that there is wide support for a national Basic Income now and that ignoring this could impact on their voter support. We need “all hands on deck” between now and the next federal election. However, we should also be prepared to continue to be a voice for Basic Income for the longer term. While our immediate actions must focus on the federal government, any successes we have should contribute to placing Basic Income as a major item for the next Ontario election as well.

Room facilitators will help guide the breakout sessions; another person can be asked to take written notes. Recommendations from these morning sessions will be provided to members in the afternoon session.

There are 4 primary topics that we are requesting groups to focus on. Depending on the number of attendees, these groups may be combined or expanded. In addition to the primary topics, the other topics have been included, should the groups have the time and interest to review them. Groups may also choose to discuss additional topics.

Group #1 / Topic #1 - Expanding our Membership

1. How do we reach out to and involve grassroots supporters/politicians (especially local ones)/communities/professional and other organizations?
2. How do we partner with other lobby groups to broaden our support base without losing our identity or diluting our Statement of Principles?
3. How important is the support of the business community and how should we engage them?
4. Should our focus be more at the Ontario rather than the federal level?
5. How do we build greater diversity in our membership?
6. How can we maintain interest in/support for basic income over the longer term?

Other Topics, time permitting:
Topic #2: How does our current structure support or impede our ability to reach our goals?
Topic #3: What should be our goals and supporting objectives for the next one,
three, and five years? (Please refer to the current ones for this year.) Why have we not achieved them?
Topic #4: How do we improve our funding base? If money were not an issue, what should our priorities be?

Group #2 / Topic #1: OBIN’s Structure/Organization

1. Are we currently organized to meet the challenge of promoting Basic Income, both now and in the future?
2. How do we expand our Internal Relations team to reach out more effectively across Ontario?
3. Should we find a volunteer to help us market OBIN using our website?
4. OBIN has had considerable success with social media but has not done as well with its website. We now have a body of credible information. How can this be used more effectively?
5. With an active BICYN (Basic Income Canada Youth Network), do we need an Ontario Youth Coordinator? (We now have a Youth Liaison person on the C-Team.)

Other Topics, time permitting:
Topic #2: How do we expand the number and diversity of OBIN members?
Topic #3: What should be our goal and supporting objectives for the next one, three, and five years? (Please refer to the current ones for this year.) Why have we not achieved them?
Topic #4: How do we improve our funding base? If money were not an issue, what should our priorities be?
Topic #5: How do we better engage youth?

Group #3 / Topic #1: Creating Realistic Goals and Supporting Objectives

1. What should be our major focus for this coming fiscal year (September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021)?
2. What planning is necessary for the longer term? (three years? five years?)
3. If a Basic Income were introduced in the next few months, would there continue to be a need for OBIN? Why?

Other Topics, time permitting:
Topic #2: How do we expand the number and diversity of OBIN members?
Topic #3: How does our current structure support or impede our ability to reach our goals?
Topic #4: How do we improve our funding base? If money were not an issue, what should our priorities be?

Group #4 / Topic #1: Fund Raising

1. How do we improve our funding base? If money were not an issue, what would we spend it on? What would be the priorities? Is there a danger of diverting focus from our advocacy work?
2. Should the annual fee be raised from $15 to $20 with the understanding that members can contribute more or less depending on their financial ability?

Other Topics, time permitting:
Topic #2: How do we expand the number and diversity of OBIN members?
Topic #3: How does our current structure support or impede our ability to reach our goals?
Topic #4: What should be our goal and supporting objectives for the next one,three, and five years? (Please refer to the current ones for this year.) Why have we not achieved them?