Sozialplenum/en

Language:	English • Deutsch

Social Plenary a.k.a "Sozialplenum"

The Sozialplenum is the meeting for all social issues at Metalab. It meets irregularly and deals with key member applications, social rules, social incidents and the further development of our community life.

It is currently unclear how often it takes place. Every 1-2 months was discussed. If there has not been a Sozialplenum for a long time and you feel the need for one, ask at a Jour_Fixe.

Participation

All members of the association can participate. Those present may allow non-members to participate. A person against whom temporary measures have been imposed by the board may attend the next Sozialplenum meeting once to present their view of the matter (but not to vote). The moderator of the next Sozialplenum meeting or the Sozialplenum meeting itself decides whether a person who has been banned from the premises may participate in the Sozialplenum meeting.

In exceptional cases, this may be handled differently. In this case, please notify core@metalab.at or the board before the Sozialplenum meeting.

If it is not desirable for all persons involved in a topic to be in the same room, the persons involved may notify core@metalab.at in advance. The moderator or core@metalab.at will coordinate with the persons involved to determine exactly how the separation will be carried out.

Tasks

• Discuss social issues at Metalab.
• Establish social rules at Metalab.
• Process requests from new key members. This has the side effect that all key members have attended at least one Sozialplenum meeting.
• Withdraw keys with justification.
• Impose penalties such as bans from the premises.
• Exclude people, together with the board a.k.a. Vorstand

As it is liable for the association, the board has a right of veto on all decisions. Decisions are initially valid until the board decides otherwise. In reality, the board is involved in the decision-making process.

Documentation of decisions in a folder that can be viewed by members on site and is stored in the board's locker.

Decisions can be made if at least 5 voting members are present.

The Sozialplenum decides for itself whether a matter will be dealt with again if new information comes to light.

Keys

The Sozialplenum session assigns and revokes keys for Metalab. Before a key is issued, a Keymember_Workshop must be completed. At the Sozialplenum session, the assignment works as follows:

1. The person briefly introduces themselves so that everyone knows who they are.
2. The Sozialplenum session chats with the person.
3. The person leaves the room.
4. The Sozialplenum discusses the matter among themselves.
5. Vote.
6. The person returns, receives the key, summarised feedback, or both.

Task forces

For confidential topics, only the general category is addressed (e.g., ‘it's about sexual violence’). A group of 2-3 people from among the members present at the Sozialplenum meeting is then formed to deal with this one topic. The person(s) affected has/have a say in the composition of the group.

To establish a task force, at least 7 members must participate in the Sozialplenum.

After 3 months, there is a report on the interim status at the Sozialplenum. The case must be closed after 6 months at the latest. The result, e.g. consequences or successful dispute resolution, is reported at the Sozialplenum.

The most important points for decision-making are summarised and sent as a comprehensible report to the executive committee, but not to the Sozialplenum. As with any Sozialplenum decision, the executive committee has the right of veto.

Austrian Sign Language - ÖGS

If you would like to participate in the Sozialplenum, please take a look at the information material on interacting with deaf people. If possible, take part in an awareness workshop.

ÖGS interpreting for every Sozialplenum would be ideal, but is not currently financially feasible. Please enquire at an ÖGS Jour_Fixe meeting or at core@metalab.at.

Sozialplenum meeting dates

2025
2025-01-14 Sozialplenum 2025-02-03 Sozialplenum 2025-02-27 Sozialplenum AUSGEFALLEN 2025-03-27 Sozialplenum 2025-05-03 Sozialplenum 2025-06-26 Sozialplenum VERSCHOBEN 2025-07-01 Sozialplenum 2025-07-28 Sozialplenum 2025-09-01 Sozialplenum 2025-10-19 Sozialplenum

Related institutions

Anlaufstelle - our mediation team

• Those affected can choose a member as a confidant to support them in the conflict. This can be a member of the Anlaufstelle, but does not have to be.

• If you have difficulties with the space or with other people and cannot or do not want to resolve them despite your own attempts, you can contact our Anlaufstelle.

Vorstand a.k.a metalab board

• The Vorstand intervenes in urgent matters.
• In such cases, a brief report is given at the next Sozialplenum meeting.
• Measures such as bans from Metalab are valid until the next Sozialplenum meeting.
• The Vorstand has a veto on decisions made by the Sozialplenum meeting.
• The Vorstand must be involved in expulsions.

Arbitration tribunal

Is always open for arbitration in internal association matters in accordance with association law. However, the process is final within the association and produces a lot of paperwork and work. So first try all other means within the association.