1in12 Club

Articleissues
tone=March 2008
unreferenced=March 2008
notability=March 2008The 1 in 12 Club was formed by members of Bradford's anarchist orientated Claimants Union in 1981. The immediate objectives of the 'Club' were to generate and sustain a social scene, accessible and affordable to both the low waged and unemployed. The expectation and hope was that this would in turn encourage the anarchist values of self-management, co-operation and mutual aid.

Background

The late 1970s and early 1980s saw massive job losses across Britain and Bradford was no exception with GEC and International Harvesters shutting plants in the City. Against this backdrop a particularly strong and active Claimants Union emerged which campaigned vigorously to improve the situation for unemployed and low waged people in Bradford When, in 1981 a government investigation into benefit fraud (the 'Raynor Report') found that '1 in 12' claimants were actively "defrauding the state", the union lost no time in adopting this statistic for themselves.

From the outset the 1 in 12 Club has identified itself with the anarchist principles of self-management, mutual aid and co-operation. As such the 1 in 12 logo has always been placed upon a red and black flag; the historic colours of the international anarchist movement.

Functions

The 1 in 12 Club is two separate things; firstly and most importantly it is a group of people who work together to promote certain political ideals and social change; secondly it is a building housing a members social centre. This difference is vital, with or without the building the 1 in 12 Club lives. For the first seven years the club led a nomadic life in pubs around the city, and it was during this period that the club's reputation for political and social action was established. The decision to apply for a grant to buy premises was just one more dimension, albeit a major one, to the already well established Club's existence. The Club is not the building - the building is not the Club, it is just our most recent home, the present location of our activity and focus to our social scene.

The sovereign decision making body of the 1 in 12 Club is the weekly Sunday Meeting open to all members. All other committees and collectives within the Club are answerable to it. However this created an apparent conflict of responsibilities with the General Committee required by law. This has been avoided by the elected officers of the General Committee meeting on a Sunday with the legally established proviso that all Club members can attend and contribute fully to any decisions made. In this way the Sunday Meeting effectively functions as the General Committee of the Club.

Each April the 1 in 12 Club holds its Annual General Meeting at which the membership must elect officers to the various posts in the Club. The AGM is also an important opportunity for the membership to review the financial and general progress of the Club and the various collectives active within it. In addition an Extraordinary General Meeting which has the same powers as an AGM can be called by any ten members at any time during the year. Since control of the Club legally rests with the elected officers, an EGM is a good way to review their activities and safeguard against any attempts by power crazed individuals to take over the Club.

Objectives

The original objectives of the 1 in 12 Club were to develop and spread the anarchist values of self-management, co-operation and mutual aid. Through gigs, books, records and direct action, the Club has sought to extend the influence of these ideas throughout Bradford and beyond. Who can tell what the future will bring, a Housing Association, Credit Union, and a Farm have all been discussed by members. Whether these ideas are realised or not the 1 in 12 Club remains a living example of practical anarchism in action. Participative, democratic and dynamic, the 1 in 12 Club is proof that given the opportunity people have the creativity, intelligence and above all desire to begin taking back control over their own lives.

External links

*http://web.archive.org/web/20060501101312/www.1in12.go-legend.net/faq.htm
*http://www.1in12.com