Dispossessed Foundation
Public record
Governance in the open
Our Constitution and Bylaws are available here in full. This guide makes the structure easier to understand, but it does not replace the filed documents.
01 / Purposes
What the Foundation exists to do
- 01
Organize and support people directly affected by poverty, homelessness, displacement, criminalization, institutionalization, and other forms of dispossession.
- 02
Relieve poverty and conditions connected with homelessness and housing insecurity through practical support and mutual aid.
- 03
Advance education through research, training, publications, workshops, and public forums.
- 04
Promote dignity, social inclusion, civic participation, access to justice, equal protection, and lawful public-interest advocacy.
- 05
Build practical skills, leadership, employment readiness, cooperative enterprise, agency, and economic inclusion.
- 06
Steward land, housing, facilities, and other assets for affordable housing, poverty relief, education, and community benefit without private gain to members.
02 / Membership
Membership and voice
The Bylaws establish three membership classes: Members, Allied Members, and Conqueror Members. The voting Member class centres qualifying people with lived experience. Allied and Conqueror Members have substantial participation rights but do not vote at General Meetings unless they qualify to enter or return to the Member class.
03 / Structure
How authority is organized
Members govern through General Meetings and elect the Board, called the Coordinating Circle. Written mandates can delegate work to Circles. Local Chapters can exercise local authority, and an objective Federation Trigger begins a transition toward an Executive Circle and greater community autonomy.
04 / Accountability
Accountability and safeguards
The Bylaws address financial integrity, community assets, records, proactive transparency, fair process, appeals, non-retaliation, protected core safeguards, amendments, and good-faith participation. Major changes must follow the procedures and voting thresholds in the filed documents.