585 / Woodbine reformation options
Key terms
Because some of this can get confusing:
Woodbine:
Woodbine membership as defined by longstanding, close participation and stewardship.
Woodbine branded assets such as domain, site, published works, social media accounts, profiles and funding streams.
Directorship:
Existing individuals and structure of Woodbine directorship.
Coordinators:
Existing individuals and structure of Woodbine coordinators.
585 organization:
Currently undefined group or organization that operates out of 585 Woodward
Current status
Directorship & Coordinators
In November of 2024, Woodbine underwent a restructuring.
A group of 5 directors was created, replacing the previous loosely organized "Operations Group" of 12-18 people.
"Memorandums of Agreement" were created, and were signed by representatives of various groups operating in/out of Woodbine.
Signers were designated as "Coordinators."
Over the first 6 months of 2025, the directorship has dwindled to 2 or 3 people.
Woodbine is in a state of flux.
Spokes Council
In August of 2024, there began to be talk of a spokes council structure within Woodbine, as initiated by A within the Operations Group (and advocated for by others), and as discussed in parallel by others.
In September 2024, the "Woodbine Spokes Council Planning" group formed, to research constitutive elements of a spokes structure: voting models, communication models, multi-lingual models, general hopes, incorporation and organization structure, the purpose of a spokes council within the existing governance model (Directorship/Coordinators), etc.
Prior to the inaugural spokes meeting, the following options for Woodbine/585 Woodward future were sent out to the coordinators chat.
Option 1: Full Handoff to a New Entity at 585
Details:
- Woodbine, directorship, and all above mentioned assets such as name, website, social media presence, and funding platforms would relocate to a new Ridgewood location.
- Newly formed entity would take on the lease, operations, and legal responsibilities at 585.
- Woodbine would transfer funds and possibly the lease to support the transition.
- Deadline for commitment: end of June.
Lease issue is complicated by fact that lease currently has three signatories:
- 1 would be leaving to lead directors at new space.
- 1 is not currently involved in 585 operations, is open to staying on to appease landlord and secure space.
- 1 is open to staying on at 585 in order to appease landlord and secure space.
Summary: The current leadership steps away from 585; responsibility for the space shifts to newly formed organization.
To be determined:
- What landlord will accept with regards to lease modification or recreation with new signatories, being individuals or an incorporated organization.
Option 2: Continue and Refine Current Framework at 585
Details:
- Continue using the existing basic framework of Directors / Coordinators, with potential undefined refinements.
- Would not operate under the Woodbine name
- Keep the Use Agreement, onboarding, and protocols already in place.
- Expand Coordinator roles and streamline calendar, access, and legal clarity.
- Allows for some role diversification and smoother operation, but under the current umbrella.
Summary: 585 stays under the existing structure with more shared labor and refined management.
Option 3: Start a New, Separate Space
Individuals or groups interested in new directions could open an entirely new space—independent from both 585 and Woodbine leadership.
Details:
- Woodbine would move to new space.
- Woodbine may provide seed money to help launch.
- This new space would have its own lease, name, policies, and direction.
- Potentially smaller/cheaper space allowing for experimentation.
Summary: Woodbine to sponsor creation of new, distinct space, 585 Woodward would be abandoned.