Meetinghouse Program
Program Mission Statement
By offering affordable space and logistical resources to organizers, activists, creatives, and neighbors, particularly those with little or no budget, the Democracy Center’s Meetinghouse Program supports vibrant community organizing and community building toward a more sustainable, just, connected, expressive and equitable world.
What is the Meetinghouse Program?
The Meetinghouse Program covers the ground level and basement of the Democracy Center. It includes these resources designed specifically to support community organizing and activism.
Community Organizing and Community Building
The Meetinghouse Program explicitly promotes and supports people and projects aimed at bringing about a more sustainable, just, connected, expressive and equitable world. We encourage un(der)funded progressive organizations to use the space.
Inclusion and Partnership
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We specifically encourage LGBTQIA2&+ people, people of color, women, neurodivergent folks, poor and working class people, undocumented immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and youth to use our space to grow their movements. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), immigration status, education, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, housing status, prior conviction record, or military status.
Unfortunately, the Democracy Center is only partially wheelchair accessible, no accessible bathroom on site. The Mandela, Parks, and Chavez rooms are accessible, but the Library is not. Wheelchair users are welcome to use the accessible restroom at Daedalus while we plan our improvements for bathroom accessibility. To reach that bathroom, exit the ramp and turn left on Bow St, at the next building (Daedalus) use their accessible entrance and their restroom will be on the right. Read more about our accessibility level here.
Our work to support community organizing and community building means that we are explicitly a working and building space for progressive movements. We do not host personal, private social functions (e.g., birthday parties). Event requests are evaluated by the Democracy Center Coordinator for how well they align with the Meetinghouse Program’s mission.
Guidelines
The Democracy Center coordinator exercises sole discretion on decisions about event bookings. We welcome events and organizations from a wide ecosystem of approach and understanding while striving to maintain an atmosphere of accountable community, where traditionally marginalized people can thrive. In terms of maintaining a healthier and safer space for everyone, event organizers take primary responsibility for what happens at their events. Problems, abuses, and conflicts should be reported to the Democracy Center Coordinator, who may facilitate, support, or intervene as needed.
At our heart, the Meetinghouse Program strives to create a community center atmosphere: honesty, transparency, collaboration, communication, grace, and flexibility from all parties make our work more successful and nourishing.
More information on specifics of booking rooms can be found on our event guidelines page.