Q. I’m a member of a working group. How should I approach Occupy LSX for reimbursement of my expenses?
A. Requests for funds must be made in advance of spending.
Fund request forms are available at the Information Tent at Finsbury Square or via email (financeolsx@gmail.com). Requests are discussed and either approved, declined or postponed by Occupy London’s sovereign body, the General Assembly.
Only in exceptional circumstances will money already spent be refunded. All working group members are cautioned not to spend their own money on Occupy actions/items unless they can afford to do so.
Q. I’d like to donate to Occupy London. What’s the best way for me to do that?
A. Since the OccupyLSX site was evicted we’ve lost our main collection point. If you’re in London, pop in to the Info Tent at Finsbury Square and donate towards camp upkeep. Otherwise, please go to the occupylsx.org website, click the donate button and follow the instructions there.
Alternatively, you can bring donations of food to the Finsbury Square kitchen or visit the Information Tent at FS to find out what other items Occupy is in need of (always duct tape, pens and whiteboard markers!).
New working groups have recently been set up to look into additional means of fundraising and re-sourcing. If you can help, please contact us and we’ll pass your details on to the relevant people.
Q. I’m an occupier. Who decides what expenses get paid? Can I have my say?
A. The Finance General Assembly decides where funds should be allocated. All occupiers are welcome to come along to the GA and help to make the decisions. Every occupier has an equal say.
Q. Who are the Finance Group? Do you look after finances for all of Occupy London?
A. The Finance group is a working group comprised of occupiers. Like all working groups it is open to accepting to new members. The Finance group aims to look after the funds but does not make decisions about where to allocate funds.
Currently, all working groups – including finance – are London-wide.
Q. How much money do you spend each week?
A. Every week Occupy London tries to spend no more than has been received in donations during the preceding week.
Q. Do you pay tax on your donations?
A. Occupy London is not a company. It sells nothing and makes no profits therefore we are not liable to pay tax. We do, however, keep accurate books of donations and expenditures and will by year end have accounts that can be inspected by HMRC if necessary.
Q. I thought you lot were against the banks. Isn’t it a bit ironic that you have a bank account?
A. Yes, it is! Occupy London acknowledges this and we regularly debate the necessity and/or desirability of having a bank account.
We have decided to accept gifts of money from supporters who want us to use that money to pursue social, economic and environmental justice on behalf of the 99%. We are pragmatic enough to realise that at present a bank is the safest place to store this money, especially as our local credit unions don’t deal with groups, only individuals.
We have chosen to bank with the Co-operative Bank because this is one of the most ethical options currently available.
Q. I’ve seen reports in the media that people had flights paid for by Occupy London. Is this the case?
A. No, this is nonsense!
i can see that you need an account of some sort – but why with a bank? i am genuinely curious as to why you decided not to use a credit union. there are many in london, most boroughs have one. could you elaborate?
sorry, just re-read your text and i see you state that your local credit unions don’t accept group accounts. i know that nationwide building society does though – as a building society it is owned by its members and far more ethical than any bank, including co-op. another option could have been to look further afield for a credit union which does accept groups. i trust this was all looked into and you have good reasons for choosing to use a bank?
I would like to know what Occupation London actually do to warrant donations? What do you offer to the ‘man on the street’ who also disagrees with bankers bonuses and has leanings towards the left? How can you, for instance, justify asking people like me, to prioritize giving money to you, over say Caner Research UK, or NSPCC? Charities and organizations, who are properly structured, who actually have clear goals, and use the money they receive to achieve those goals and help others. What have you done, other than ‘create awareness’ by occupying buildings, and make a stab at making some sort of record label? Do you think this actually is a suitable ’cause’ if indeed a cause at all, that people should be giving money to, over the countless other organizations that make substantially more difference to the people they aim to help. Who are you helping and how do you aim to help?
That’s a very good question. What do you actually plan to do with the donations? What are your overheads and costs? And, what are you actually doing for society? It’s a shame some people will give money to you guys instead of a charity thinking they are doing a good cause
Did anyone address this video?
Transparency and accountability are everything without it truth is unobtainable.
We must all make sure that it is clear and not hidden
The GA Process is used -not always perfectly -but to the best of ppl’s ability -throughout Occupy worldwide. IMO it is an excellent form of democracy. I see nothing particularly “new age” about it. Would you say that Oakland -or the other West Coast Occupys that have closed down ports etc were “new age”?
I am not saying that communication could not be better -but it is also worth considering that St Paul’s is under threat or eviction within less than a fortnight -and other Occupied building like BOI have already been evicted.
Therefore I suggest that energies are better spent on solidarity and support than conspiracy videos with spooky soundtracks.
On your other points -I have no knowledge so cannot comment.
Even so -best wishes to you. x