DIY Events, Groups, Gatherings, & Projects

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Hosting

Any Member can Host an Event, Group, or Gathering whenever we want.

With no leadership handing down decisions about programming, we are all empowered to create our own opportunities and resources.

Hosts may request funds from DT4T for upfront Event costs.

As part of their Proposal for the Quarterly Forum (see below), Hosts may indicate if they need money to pay for upfront costs, like venue rental, and can’t front it themselves. These funds will ultimately be returned to DT4T, assuming the Event, Group, or Gathering makes enough money to cover the cost.

Hosts can charge a modest fee for participating in their Event or Gathering.

Charging money for Events & Gatherings is optional. We do not try to profit off of other members, but we do believe Hosts can and should be compensated for their labor and ideas. For more information, see Pricing.

To host an Event, Group, or Gathering, we must first determine which of the three best suits our needs:

Events

An Event is a one-time happening.

Events can be virtual or in-person. Masks are required at all in-person Events (for more on this, see Accessibility). Events may be free to attend or Hosts may request a small fee (for more on this, see Pricing).

Examples of Events include:

• Educational workshops
• Dance parties
• Vendors markets
• Drag shows
• Art showings
• Open mics
• Outdoor adventures
• Game nights
• Anything else we can dream up!

Hosts can decide whether to open their Event up to all Members or to restrict attendance by identity (such as an event for transfemmes to connect with each other), age (such as an event for members over 40), geographic location, or experience (such as an event that requires additional vetting, like a sensual event).

Occasionally, we open Events up to non-Members.

One of the main benefits of joining DT4T is having access to Members-only Events where everyone is vetted. Still, there are rare times when we’ll want to open our Events up to non-Members. This can be a valuable recruiting tool, as well as a way to show people they can have a good time while wearing masks. It can also be a way to bring in additional money to DT4T.

Occasionally, we collaborate with other organizations to Host Events.

This can also be valuable as a recruiting tool and as a way to bring in additional money. We only collaborate with other organizations when:

1. the collaboration creates opportunities that DT4T cannot offer alone;
2. the other organization abides by our Core Values & Beliefs in all of their programming;
3. the other organization has a track record of accommodating access needs without a fuss; and
4. the other organization has not hosted any in-person gatherings where masks were not required within the last 6 months, and does not intend to host any going forward.

Occasionally, Hosts can invite non-Members to speak at educational Events.

We only do this when:

1. the invited Guest Speaker exemplifies our Core Values & Beliefs;
2. the Guest Speaker has expertise that doesn’t already exist within the DT4T community (or, in other words, there is no Member of the DT4T community who could deliver an equivalent presentation);
3. the Guest Speaker will be educating on a topic that is pertinent to the DT4T community; and
4. no DT4T funds are used to pay the Guest Speaker (in other words, any speaking fees must come out of the Hosts’ pockets).

Gatherings

A Gathering is a recurring space for Members to connect.

Gatherings may be virtual or in-person. Masks are required at all in-person Gatherings (for more on this, see Accessibility). Gatherings may be free to attend or Hosts may request a small fee (for more on this, see Pricing).

Examples of Gatherings include:

• Peer support groups
• Movie-watching clubs
• ASL practice hours
• Crafting circles
• Outdoor adventure clubs
• Virtual choir
• Anything else we can dream up!

Groups

A Group is an ongoing, virtual space for like-minded Members.

We can access our Groups in the DT4T app and on the DT4T website.

Groups function similarly to old-fashioned online forums. Anyone can create a Post to initiate a topic of discussion. There’s a chronological comments section that any Member of the Group can comment on to participate in the discussion.

The Host is responsible for making sure all Members of the Group are self-moderating appropriately and for gently intervening, when necessary, with friendly reminders of How We Treat Each Other. We do not police each other.

Examples of Groups include:

• Witches
• DIYers
• Gamers
• Sports fans
• Movie reviews
• BDSM skills exchange
• Anything else we can dream up!

Hosts can decide whether to open their group up to all Members or to restrict attendance by identity (such as a Group for Indigenous Members only), age (such as a Group for members under 25), geographic location, or experience (such as a Group that requires additional vetting, like a BDSM Group).

Projects

We can also steward projects that don't fit into any of those categories.

These may include things like:

• DisabiliT4T Blog
• Resource distribution networks
• Creative productions
• Community art projects
• Anything else we can dream up!

Emergency Direct Actions

Emergency Direct Actions can take place without advanced notice.

As long as they align with our Core Values & Beliefs, Emergency Direct Actions are given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to take place without getting approval through a Quarterly Forum. Hosts must submit a Proposal for documentation purposes, but are allowed to take action without delay. At the next Quarterly Forum, we will review the action and assess whether we learned anything that suggests we should amend or change this policy.

Emergency Direct Actions may include things like:

• Organizing material support for communities in sudden, urgent need (ex. e-SIMs for Gaza)

• Protesting, whether in-person or virtually (ex. anti-ICE protests)

• Other demonstrations of solidarity with people experiencing imminent violence
  

Proposals

Once we have an idea for an Event, Group, Gathering, or Project, we submit a Proposal.

Proposals must be submitted at least 10 days ahead of the next Quarterly Forum. Sometimes, the next Quarterly Forum will be as many as three months away, but unless we’re trying to Host an Emergency Direct Action, there is no way to expedite the review process. DT4T happily operates on crip time.

To submit a Proposal for an Event, Gathering, or Emergency Response Action, we fill out the following form:

Registrations and ticket sales for Events and Gatherings all go through the DT4T payment platform in the DT4T app or on the DT4T website. Members can browse and join Groups on the DT4T website and app.

Feedback

Following each Event and Gathering, attendees will be asked to fill out a Feedback Form.

Getting consistent, real-time feedback on our programming is how we track whether every Member feels safe, welcome, and included in all DT4T spaces. We never want to leave anyone behind.

Have thoughts on what you just read?

There are three ways you can add your feedback!

1. Fill out the comment form below.

2. Email your comments to Feedback@disabilit4t.org. 

3. Submit your feedback anonymously using this encrypted web form.