Tag: General Assembly

General Assembly: June 5, 2012

Announcements
Energy Working Group will be at Elsewhere Gallery on Wed. at 6 pm.

Discussion

  • Relationship of Occupy Greensboro to other groups, organizations, etc. There was considerable discussion on this topic, with dissenting views presented and debated in GA format.
  • The relativity of local, state and national involvement was included. All agreed that this is a core issue that has been talked about before and needs further discussion if consensus is to be reached, with all parties keeping an open mind.
  • Actions and protests. A suggestion was made that we have monthly actions; the importance and type of actions were also discussed. To be continued.
  • General Assembly: June 3, 2012

    Announcements

    • Action at courthouse Tuesday 2 p.m to film forecosure auctions.
    • Greensboro Tenant’s Association to be formed by and for tenants.
    • Signs saying Vote Against Amendment One: repurpose and discussion before GA on 6/10 sometime between l0-3.

    Report-backs

    • Energy Working Group meets every Wed. for next month, 7-9 pm. On 6/13 and 6/27, the meeting will consist of creative writing. Canvassing continues every Sunday in June from 2-3:30. July – train interns.
    • Resolution fo overturn Citizens United presented in Raleigh to legislature.
    • Foreclosure Working Group: Chris and Mo had hearing; meeting with attorney re:home defense.

    Proposals
    Proposed: Occupy Greensboro endorse and support the North Carolina Coalition Against Corporate Power (that spearheaded and organized the Bank of America demonstration in Charlotte on May 9). Vigorous discussion followed. Proposal was TABLED until submitted in writing.

    Discussion
    GA consented to pay $250 for food for a neighborhood cook-out and open mic night at Glenwood Books, which has not yet been paid. Agreed that there have been delays by all parties and the matter may be settled this week.

    Reflections
    A member volunteered to alert everyone at 4 p.m. so GA can begin and end on time.

    General Assembly: May 27, 2012

    Introductions, Rules and Hand Signals

    Announcements and Working Group Report Backs

    • Energy Working Group – Had a successful movie matinee prior to General Assembly, Creative writing Wednesday May 30 at Sessions 1820 Spring Garden Ave from 7pm-9pm, Sunday we will relaunch Sundays volunteer based canvassing Sunday June 3 at Glenwood Coffee and Books from 2pm till 3:30pm every Sunday, and Energy Working Group meeting Wednesday June 6 at Glenwood Coffee and Books from 7pm till 9pm.
    • Resolution Working Group – attended NC General Assembly in Raleigh and meet with representatives, Meets Friday June 1 starts at 6:30 and meet at the Elliot Building.
    • CAAO – meeting Fridays at 5:30pm at Glenwood Coffee and Books
    • Employment Working Group – needs more participants
    • Noam Chomsky will be in Grensboro on Saturday, June 2 speaking about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. See Al for more details. Tickets may be purchased online here.
    • Unitarian fellowship meeting at Glenwood Coffee and Books Sundays, see Al for more details.
    • Bridgid who coordinated Bank vs America will be at Glenwood Coffee and Books Sunday June 3 at 3:pm to brainstorm for ideas relative to the DNC and Elections. She will probably stay for our GA if there is a good turn out.

    Proposals

    • Set aside June 10th GA to discuss what are the possibilities for actions by us and other coalitions prior to the DNC, and action around the inauguration of our next president. Potluck at 6:00pm.
    • PASSED General Assembly needs a good turn out for this event!!!

    Discussion

    • Anti-Convention (referring to RNC and DNC)
    • How do you get a working group started?

    General Assembly: May 20, 2012

    Ken K. – Facilitator
    Dave R. – Notes
    Nathan P. – Stack Keeper

    Introductions

    Review Ground Rules and Hand Signals

    Report Backs

    • Foreclosure Working Group: Weekly meetings are still Thursday morning at 8:30am. One of the active member’s home was scheduled to be auctioned. They went to the courthouse with other members and a video camera. One buyer was there and left when they realized they would be observed. We have researched whether or not filming can happen there and it appears that we may be able to.
    • March on the NC General Assembly will be May 29. See Barbara for more information. There may be a bus headed over there.

    Announcements

    • See Barbara or Paul to “check-out” a copy of the film “Koch Exposed.”
    • Baltimore Police Department was sued over their effort to block citizen filming of police activities in the public. The judge ruled against the Police Department.
    • Homeland Security was involved in work undermining the Occupy movement. These documents were brought out through a FOIA request and are online.
    • Anyone interested in faith-based issues in relation to Occupy organizing should see Thomas.

    No proposals offered.

    Discussion Topics

    • Use of narratives in the Occupy movement and outreach to faith communities. TABLED.

    Energy Group presentation and proposal
    We viewed a PowerPoint presentation about how the energy market functions and how the upcoming rate hike bill will be brought. It will likely not be public until the votes exist to pass it. Then it will be pushed through very quickly.

    The EWG presented it’s proposal for a summer organizing campaign to raise opposition to the annual rate hike bill and develop new interest in sustainable energy. Discussion continued after the break.

    Reflection

    May 22, 2012 General Assembly
    Facilitator: Thomas
    Note Taker:
    Stack: Ed W.

    May 27, 2012
    Facilitator: Nathan P.
    Note Taker:
    Stack: Ken K.

    General Assembly: May 13, 2012

    Baby Meeting Notes: GA 05.13.12, 04:10

    This Sunday’s meeting came about organically with five persons sitting with Al sharing info about the BoA protest. Al began, then Barbara Council and Barbara Carrano shared their experiences, as others arrived and entered the conversation.

    Next, B. Carrano reported back re: the Foreclosure Seminars held May 10th the day after the protest. More people showed up, one was Kevin who elaborated on some of the issues reported by B. Carrano.

    Jane reported there was no Foreclosure Working Group meeting last week due to the BoA event. However, Jane was happy to report Mitch and she successfully engaged foreclosure victims, stating the response from them was one of comfort and appreciation for taking the time to talk with them about their plight.

    Bobbie announced she needed help finding a home for two dogs she rescued. Ken came to her rescue through his friend that finds homes for rescued dogs. Problem solved. Twinkle fingers all around.

    Jane initiated an open discussion about Amendment One, as more people arrived. B. Carrano suggested a possible recall due to numerous reports across the state of persons unable to vote against the amendment, because it did not appear on their ballot. Paul informed Democracy NC is investigation the issue. Ed suggested a recall would be unlikely due to the wide margin by which the amendment was passed.

    Along the same line, Al reported a New York Times article stated the number of repressive bills aimed at women’s rights had risen from around 20 in 2010 to 80 in 2011. Mark related his belief that most of the repressive bills we see being passed, on the state level across the country, originate in ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council). Ed quipped, the “American Legislative Evil Council”. Paul offered a tactical remedy to ALEC and the repressive legislation we are experiencing.

    The plan, already underway across the country, is to lobby state and municipal representatives to pass resolutions overturning Citizens United. When enough states pass the resolution, Congress will be forced to amend the US Constitution. The amendment will shut off the corporate money feeding ALEC and free our politics from corporate control.

    Paul also offered to transport 4 more volunteers to March in Raleigh on May 23 and to lobby our legislators for support of the “NC Voters for Clean Elections” resolution. Their resolution to overturn Citizens United will be formally introduced to the NC General Assembly later that same morning.

    Most colorful dialogue developed in the group when Paul suggested it would be akin to cutting off the “beast’s head” in stead of fighting it at each tentacle, as we are now doing with Amendment One, BoA, Energy, Environment, Justice, Poverty, etc.

    About here, a more formal GA arose and grew out of need. Paul began taking stack. B. Carrano began taking notes, and Marikay began keeping time. After more comments and questions, Marikay called break.

    After break Paul was drafted as facilitator, primarily due to his failure to appear and co-facilitate at the last Sunday GA as promised. B. Carrano took stack and kept notes.

    Al announced Noam Chomsky will be speaking at UNCG on June 2nd. Also, that for the first time, Al would be allowed to sell his books at an event like this. Heretofore, Barnes & Noble held exclusive book sale rights/opportunity. Again, Twinkle Fingers!

    Marikay announced Joanna Macy will speak on “Respected Voices” at 7PM on May 23rd at Holy Trinity Church in the Haywood Duke Room. This engagement will be preceded by a wine and cheese reception at 6PM in the Sacred Garden Bookstore.

    Announcements concluded and we moved onto Discussion.

    Ken opened with Buddhist methods of detachment as a means of coping with the inherent frustration of advocacy work. Ed, Al and Marikay gave support to the theory. Barbara Council shared her thoughts and emotions on the issue, as did Andy, Kevin, Nebo and others.

    Marikay called for Reflection, and the GA was ended thereafter.

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