Protocol v1.0 · May 04 · Self-administered

Open Sauce Gathering Protocol

London Claw Community · Bermondsey Beach → London Bridge → City of London

Assembly typeDecentralised do-ocracy

Primary locationBermondsey Beach, low tide dependent

Forked fromOpen source culture · Open Space · City Guilds

Participant roleContributor, not consumer

Overview

Open Sauce is a self-administered outdoor gathering forked from open-source collaboration principles, Open Space Technology, and the historic assembly traditions of London.

Unlike a conventional meetup, Open Sauce does not operate with a fixed programme, central host activity, or mandatory participation track.

Note

This is a Do-ocracy. The people who show up create the day.

Requirements

lunch or equivalent field sustenance
weather-appropriate clothing
one idea, question, unfinished build, or strange friend
mobility
claws

⚠ Safety First

Steps to the beach can be slippery. Beach access is not suitable for those with mobility issues. Riverside gathering areas above the foreshore remain accessible. Contact organiser if required.

Warning

There is no café on this beach. There are also no public loos. Participants are advised to go before leaving home, or learn how to charm local innkeepers.

Warning

Bermondsey Beach access is low tide dependent. Midday onwards is recommended. Miss the tide, miss the #TouchBeach.

export WEATHER="London"
bring --lunch --ideas --claws --suncream --brolly
assemble --location bermondsey-beach --time midday-ish
self-organise --law two-feet --trace none

Open Sauce Principles

Whoever joins are the right people

If you made the effort to arrive, you are in the pot.

Wherever we gather is the right place

Beach, wall, bench, bridge, pavement, pub. The South London riverside is our venue.

Whatever happens is probably more interesting than anything we may have planned

The best conversations are usually the ones nobody scheduled.

When the tide is out, it is the right time

Bermondsey Beach is only open when the Thames allows it.

When it’s over, it’s over

Participants may disperse, regroup, or enter migration phase.

Field Conduct

Law of Two Feet

If you find yourself bored, not learning, or not contributing: move. Find a better conversation. Start one. Pull others with you.

Leave No Trace

We clean up after ourselves. We respect the beach. We respect the neighbourhood. We leave the place as we found it, minus a few better conversations.

Behavioural Patterns

Bumblebees — moving between groups carrying ideas
Butterflies — hovering, observing, gossiping, and causing useful collisions

Migration Phase

As the tide reclaims the shoreline, participants may proceed by foot from Bermondsey Beach over London Bridge and into the City. This process is referred to as The Raising of Lobsters.

Tip

This is a procession, not an invasion.

Fork references: Red Hat Open Source Culture · Open Space Technology · City of London Sheep Drive Tradition