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Points of Unity

  • We believe that it is homelessness that is the problem not homeless individuals. We believe that for too long our community has attempted to criminalize homelessness through authoritarian measures and to push homeless individuals out of sight and out of mind, seeing them as impediments to special interests.
  • We oppose Orlando's "large group feedings" ordinance and call for its immediate repeal. We assert the right of all, regardless of socio-economic status, to enjoy equal access to public facilities.
  • We oppose any measures that criminalize homelessness and will actively work against them. We support real solutions that address the underlying social conditions that cause homelessness.
  • We believe that our community has a responsibility to provide assistance to homeless individuals. We recognize that how this responsibility is acted upon will vary according to philosophical, religious and political convictions. We believe that all groups and institutions in our community--religious, civic, political and activist--have an active role to play in addressing the causes of homelessness.
  • We consider homeless individuals to be part of our community and we seek to break down barriers between them and the rest of the community.
  • We oppose any form of discrimination based upon socio-economic status and believe that the U.S. and Florida constitutions and internationally recognized standards of human rights entitle all individuals to the same rights. We also believe that all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
  • We will seek redress of grievances from elected officials, government employees and public institutions for policies they adopt that negatively affect homeless individuals and will hold them accountable for how they treat homeless individuals in their encounters with them. We will do this without regard for officials' political philosophy or affiliation(s).
  • S.T.O.P. always is willing to engage in constructive and mutually respectful dialogue with public officials, public institutions and our opponents on issues of homelessness; however, S.T.O.P. is firm in its opposition to any measures that criminalize homelessness or infringe upon the civil rights and dignity of homeless individuals. We will not compromise our basic values.
  • S.T.O.P. operates collectively and non-hierarchically without designated leadership roles--we expect all S.T.O.P. partners to actively participate, to take initiative and to do the work necessary to advance our goals. S.T.O.P. will operate transparently, with regular public meetings, and with accountability to its partners and to our community.
  • S.T.O.P. partner groups are encouraged to send at least one member from their group to each regular meeting of S.T.O.P.
  • S.T.O.P. is a coalition and respects the varied philosophical, religious and political convictions of its partners. S.T.O.P. partners may choose not to participate in any S.T.O.P. campaign or event that they deem to be not in accord with their philosophical, religious and political convictions.
  • S.T.O.P. will designate at least one person to answer questions from the media at each event it organizes. (It may designate more than one media spokesperson if it feels this is necessary.) This person should be able to articulate the values and mission of S.T.O.P. and explain the purpose of the event. If possible, media responsibilities at S.T.O.P. events should rotate among S.T.O.P. partner groups. Members of S.T.O.P. partner groups are free to answer media questions when participating in S.T.O.P. events; however, they are asked to explain that the statements they make represent the views of their individual group and not necessarily the views of S.T.O.P. as a coalition.
  • S.T.O.P. believes that coalitions function most effectively and democratically when decisions enjoy the full consent and support of their members; therefore, S.T.O.P. makes decisions at its meetings using a consensus process, with voting (one vote per person) reserved for use when the group is unable to arrive at consensus and the matter before it is of great urgency. However, when voting, a super-majority–75 percent–of votes cast must be in favor of the measure in order for it to be approved.
  • Participation in S.T.O.P. is open to any individual or group that is in substantive agreement with these points of unity.
  • S.T.O.P. partner groups may, at their discretion, bar the participation of a group in S.T.O.P. if they feel that its participation would be detrimental to the interests of S.T.O.P. or its partner groups. S.T.O.P. partner groups also may, at their discretion, end or suspend the participation of a partner group if they feel that the further participation of that group would be detrimental to the interests of S.T.O.P. or its other partner groups. Either decision requires formal consensus, or if voting, a super-majority–75 percent–of votes cast in order to be approved.

Adopted Aug. 21, 2006
Revised March 13, 2007

See also: S.T.O.P.'s Consensus Process