Tag: General Assembly

Facilitator: Dave
Notetaker: Andrew
Stackkeeper: Tom

AGENDA:

1. Introductions
2. Ground rules
3. Announcements
4. Working group reports
5. Proposals
6. Discussion topics
7. Reflection
8. Support roles

INTRODUCTIONS
Those in attendance gave their names and something remarkable about their experiences this week.

GROUND RULES
Don’t talk over each other; use a stack system to determine speaking order; assume good intention; step-up, step-up; cut people slack; keep a sense of humor; follow hand signals.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Please look over lost items in the back room of Glenwood Coffee and Books to see if you find something you have lost during previous meetings.
• A meeting of the North Carolina Coalition Against Corporate Power occurred Saturday, 10 March, at Glenwood Coffee and Books. It included planning for an action at the Bank of America shareholder meeting to be held at the beginning of May. A second meeting of Coalition will occur at the beginning of April.
• The Commission on the Status of Women will celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history on 22 March, 7 PM, at the Greensboro Historical museum; the list of speakers will include our own Maria Rosales.

WORKING GROUP REPORTS

• Collective Access/Anti-Oppression. CA/AO’s discussion included foreclosures and the Amendment One work underway. Its next meeting will be Friday, 5:30 PM, at Glenwood Coffee and Books.
• Employment/Unemployment. The group plans to establish a computer station dedicated to job searches at Glenwood Coffee and Books. The group is discussing the establishment of a summer landscaping co-op for high school students and undergraduates.
• Foreclosure. “Let’s Lose Our Home!” will be screened at 7:00 PM, 14 March, at Carolina Theatre. A march leaving from the Interactive Resource Center will start at 6:30 PM.
• Energy. The group is planning a radio show, possibly to be aired on a college station, which will draw from material gathered during Glenwood neighborhood canvassing.
• Art/Communication/Media. Aspects of incorporating a forum on the new Occupy website were discussed during the group’s meeting. An “About” video for the website is still in the works; see Mo for details.

PROPOSALS

• Proposal to amend the GA Ground Rules. The original proposal was to ask participants in the GA to moderate their use of electronic devices to prevent disturbances in the GA at large. After discussion, the proposal was modified to a request for participants in the GA to make the utmost effort to be present in the meeting by moderating their use of electronic devices and avoiding other disruptive behaviors. (CONSENSUS)

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• Discussion of the GA Ground Rules:
  • This is a non-violent movement.
  • No oppressive speech.
  • No alcohol or drugs may be consumed during the GA.
  • Assume the good intent of everyone present.
  • Do not interrupt speakers and remain present in the meetings.
  • Use step-up, step-up.
  • Approach people from a position of love and compassion.
  • Maintain a sense of humor.
  • Cut people some slack.
  • Use a stack system to determine speaking order.
  • Follow hand signals.

  Facebook document of GA Conversation Ground Rules (https://www.facebook.com/groups/253887434655229/doc/254498084594164/) mentioned but not discussed in detail. (DISCUSSED AND REFERRED TO DISCUSSION AT A LATER GA)

• Discussion points to raise during the Left Forum OGSO panel. (Contact Michael before Friday, 16 March, at mrobto@aol.com to suggest additional talking points. He will leave Friday and wishes to prepare his remarks ahead of time.) (DISCUSSED)
• What to do with Tuesday GAs? (DISCUSSED)
• Amendment One activities. (Email webmaster@occupygreensboro.org to add your Amendment One activity to the OGSO calendar.) (DISCUSSED)
• OGSO money in Wells Fargo accounts. (DISCUSSED)
• What’s up with the parking lot of ideas (PLACED IN PARKING LOT)

REFLECTION

SUPPORT ROLES (TUESDAY ONLY)

• Facilitator: Thom
• Notetaker: Emiley
• Stackkeeper: None presently assigned

Announcements:

Please sign up to assist with Canvassing the Glenwood Community on Energy Issues! We need your help! Every Sunday (except when the weather is below 40 and raining) from 2-3:30 pm, meeting first at Glenwood Coffee and Books.

Proposals:

Proposal for Occupy Greensboro to co-sponsor an event on April 28, 2012 with Beloved Community Center entitled “Our Responsibility During the Collapse of Law.” This is a summit of local community members and organizations to discuss the impacts and responses to the militarization of the police. This event will feature Chicago-based civil rights attorney Flint Taylor.

It was decided due to the small group not to ask for consensus on the proposal at this time, although a temperature check was taken and all present were in support of the proposal. The proposal will be presented again at the next GA for further input.

Discussion:
Foreclosure Working Group requests help in the following areas to make the March 14, 2012 “Save Our Community, Fight Foreclosure” event a success (this was a long announcement so it was moved to the discussion area of the meeting):

1. People are needed to flyer in the broader community
2. We need committments for people to personally contact or phone at least 10 people and ask them to attend.
3. Make announcements at church or civic groups about the events (contact the Foreclosure working group if you would like one of them to help you present this information)
4. Keep sharing the Kickstarter campaign – more than $550 has been raised so far!
5. Go to GGNA Thursday night (Lynn will attend)
6. Go to Flatiron on Open Mic night an announce
7. Flyer at the W-S protest on Wednesday and announce at the event

Several people volunteered for the various activities!

Open Discussion Topic: Is there something that Occupy can do to challenge the way that christianity and other religions are used in political discussions as a force for conservatism and work to make them more humane?
Many people commented and shared their viewpoints on this topic. In fact, during the course of the conversation everyone participated! Thom is going to start a discussion/working group around this topic.

Facilitator: Maria R.
Stack keeper: John K.
Note keeper: Andrew S.

Introductions.

Ground rules: Do not interrupt those who are speaking. Assume the good intent of all concerned. Cut each other slack. Participate in the use of a stack system to determine speaking order. Step up your attention to listening or step up your input to the group. Keep a sense of humor. Review of hand signals.

Working group reports:

• The Occupy Congress Working Group attended a statewide General Assembly in Raleigh yesterday.
• The Foreclosure Working Group is preparing for its showing of “Let’s Lose Our House,” a film on foreclosures. The film will be shown at Carolina Theatre on 14 March, and the foreclosure group needs assistance planning for and staging the event.
• The Civil Liberties Working Group attempted to meet at 5:30 Thursday, but only a couple of people were able to meet. The Civil Liberties Working Group may change its meeting time.
• The Collective-Action/Anti-Oppression Working Group met at 6:30 Friday to discuss tensions that arise in Facebook discussions and environmental aspects of oppressive dynamics.
• The Art/Communication/Media Working Group met at 1:00 Sunday to discuss making a Foreclosure Working Group press release, designing a Tumblr page, consolidating the Occupy GSO Facebook pages, interacting with local media, updating the website to improve user experience, and planning an event to produce flyers for citywide distribution.
• The Employment Working Group met at 9:00 Saturday morning to discuss how to assist people in the community who are seeking work can distribute their resumes.

Announcements:

• Glenwood Coffee and Books has signed on to the We Are Campaign; the organizers of the campaign wish to gain support in organizing a rally to be held 28 April.
• Glenwood Coffee and Books will host a night of celebration in opposition to NC Proposed Amendment One in mid-March or April; see Mo K. for details.
• Rapid response email list; see James D. for details.
• Occupy Charlotte Working Group making preparations for the DNC in September and expanding its horizons; the group is changing its name to “Occupy Solidarity;” see Matt D. and James D. for details.
• Those interesting in a working group on social currency should meet with Matt D; meetings will be Thursday, 2:00-3:00.
• Website training to run the OGSO website will be on 3 March at 2:00. Contact Dave R. for details.
• Three members of OGSO will be participating in the Left Form; if anyone would like to join last minute, contact Michael R. or Cindy before the end of Monday, 27 February.
• A 28 April conference will be held about rendition flights departing from NC; contact Michael R. for more information.
• A local photographer asked for a temperature check about participant willingness to be photographed for a social justice blog.
• A dispute resolution co-op is being organized; the next meeting will be on Saturday, 3 March, at 10:00; see Kate and Paul L. for details.
• The Collection will play at Glenwood Coffee and Books after our meeting; their performance will be preceded by a pot luck.

Proposals:

• Solidarity action with Appalachian State University students. Proposal to stand in solidarity with students protesting against sexual violence and administrative neglect of sexual violence on the ASU campus. The protest will be in Boone on 2 March at 1:45. CONSENSUS
• Press release for the Foreclosure Working Group. The Foreclosure Working Group presented a press release for distribution to local media. CONSENSUS
• Shifting political discussion from Facebook to the OGSO website. Proposal to move political correspondence and organizing activity (as for working groups and actions) to the OGSO website. TABLED AND REFERRED TO ART/MEDIA/COMMUNICATION GROUP

Discussion points:

• Administration of the Facebook group and its use as a forum for political discussion and organization DISCUSSED
• 14 March assistance DISCUSSED
• OGSO money in Wells-Fargo DISCUSSED SOMEWHAT BUT TRANSFERRED TO TUESDAY’S AGENDA
• DNC strategy TABLED FOR LACK OF TIME

Next meeting:

• Facilitator: Mark
• Stack keeper: Mo
• Note keeper: Thom

Sunday meeting:

• Facilitator: Matt
• Stack keeper: Lynn
• Note keeper: John K.

Happy Valentines Day!

Facilitator: Valerie
Notes: Dave
Stack: Donya

Valerie reminds us that we used to be more clear and intentional about the Ground Rules. We clearly went over the GR’s.

Agenda

• Ground Rules:
  Assume good intent of everyone;
  We don’t talk over each other;
  Step Up/Step Up;
  Try not to restate what others have said if you agree with it.;
  Remember this is a work in process. By committing to it and providing positive feedback, we will refine it.;
  If someone experiences oppressive language or behavior, please bring it up so we can deal with it then. This space is committed to being a supportive one.;
  Hand signals are gone over.

Announcements

• Website: In process. and will be online soon.
• Graphic Design-focused Facebook page is online.
• Finance Working Group needs to clarify reimbursement procedures
• There may be funding for Occupy Organizers available from some Unions. Interested people directed to Facebook group.
• OGSO Banner was discussed briefly.
• Energy Working Group meeting tomorrow may be postponed.

Proposals

• Participatory Budgeting at City Council: OGSO’s Tuesday GA will begin at 7pm. Carpool to City Council will leave GC&B at 5pm. The GA has not yet heard a proposal to endorse PB. This time change is only to allow those interested in PB to be able to be at City Council. CONSENSED
• Support work Greenpeace and other groups are doing around Duke Energy: Greenpeace’s letter to Duke Energy will be posted to the OGSO Website. TABLED – Letter can go up on the Facebook Group.

Discussions

• Outreach
• Long-term vision of OGSO movement.
• Statement about the City Council vote on resolution related to Amendment 1.