Post by hz on Nov 2, 2011 11:57:20 GMT -5
GA 11-1-11
WG Report-Backs
Direct Action: Two events happening this week.
-Weds 4:30 gather for march in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and critically injured OO demonstrator, army vet Scott Olsen.
-Friday noon – Bank withdrawal at BofA on state street as part of National Bank Transfer action which also happens nationally on Nov 5th
Food: Thank you for generous donations and cleanliness. Please consider bringing your own eatingware and/or donating some to the occupation.
Education/Outreach/Teach-In: tonight’s meeting is postponed. Frankie will be doing a winter survival teach-in after Weds & Thurs GA.
Anti-frack: Presentation of film on the perils of hydrofracking at 7pm at Colonie town library. Siobhan would love to see fellow occupiers there.
Finance:
-Current totals are $5602 including cash and checks. This does not include in-kind donations of supplies, food etc
-Finance is seeking an accountant to help set up FEIN
-Ledgers will record the movement of all money
-Requests by WG of $25 or less do not need to go to GA, but should have a quick note from WG as to their purpose, so OA can maintain transparency.
+ GA comments: Suggestions to: pursue pro-bono accountant & use Quickbooks for bookkeeping
Co-ordination:
-There is a schedule posted at info table & they would like sign-ups for 24 hour coverage for info, operations & peoples safety
-There is also a community task board so that interested people who show up on site know how they can help. (as opposed to only listing online)
-Request for WG to let them know what kind of help they need, so they can properly direct volunteers
Legal:
-Some Occupy members (6-8) met with City officials today to keep open line of dialog. Many different working groups were there.
-attitude was clearly an effort to be respectful of 1st amendment rights
-dialog pursued covered issues like health and safety. On Weds the city will check the generator. Issues of cold and snow were brought up.
-there was hope for discussion about consolidating tents into a certain area
-the clothesline was commented on being ‘unsightly’
-issues of a more robust structure being erected for winter were inconclusive as there is nothing concrete to discuss on the part of OA
+ GA comments:
-Generator was recently purchased brand new & always attended to when on or 30 minutes past operation
-Request that proper WG (Operations) is on hand when City comes through & that they continue to monitor generator.
Note: Operations WG handles generator, sanitation, heaters
-Request that fire extinguisher find a permanent home next to generator
Facilitation:
-Met on Monday, added preliminary introduction format at front of meeting to welcome new participants
-Created liason position to help new attenders at their first meeting
-There is a print out at info table about suggested guidelines for making proposal process for GA go most efficient and effectively
-created new (pinky) sign to indicate if you are feeling frustrated with the GA as it is proceeding. This helps to vibe check.
WG Proposals
-none
Other Business
Michael – proposal: To amend Good Neighbor policy to include that:
OA practices non-discrimination including, but not limited to, speech, flags, symbols, or signs, provided that they are congruent with the statement that bigotted, homophobic, sexist, and racist language will not be tolerated on site.
This was consensus of the GA.
-Suggestion to do a temp check at next GA to move weekend GA earlier due to daylight savings time.
-Announcement of timed meditation meet-up at Thurs 5pm
-Arts & Music WG will meet Thursday at 4:30pm. It is on the schedule at info. Email Brian (email at info) if you can’t make it but want to be involved
-Emmas Revolution, (a band?) has posted new song, Occupy USA - lyrics and music online
-Collaboration/coordination working group encourages you to stop by the info table and say hi
-Occupier from Oakland with us tonight says that Oakland City employees have been allowed to take sick day in honor of General Strike (on Nov 2). Several unions have joined the strike. Students will walk out. OA welcomes OO demonstrator.
WG Report-Backs
Direct Action: Two events happening this week.
-Weds 4:30 gather for march in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and critically injured OO demonstrator, army vet Scott Olsen.
-Friday noon – Bank withdrawal at BofA on state street as part of National Bank Transfer action which also happens nationally on Nov 5th
Food: Thank you for generous donations and cleanliness. Please consider bringing your own eatingware and/or donating some to the occupation.
Education/Outreach/Teach-In: tonight’s meeting is postponed. Frankie will be doing a winter survival teach-in after Weds & Thurs GA.
Anti-frack: Presentation of film on the perils of hydrofracking at 7pm at Colonie town library. Siobhan would love to see fellow occupiers there.
Finance:
-Current totals are $5602 including cash and checks. This does not include in-kind donations of supplies, food etc
-Finance is seeking an accountant to help set up FEIN
-Ledgers will record the movement of all money
-Requests by WG of $25 or less do not need to go to GA, but should have a quick note from WG as to their purpose, so OA can maintain transparency.
+ GA comments: Suggestions to: pursue pro-bono accountant & use Quickbooks for bookkeeping
Co-ordination:
-There is a schedule posted at info table & they would like sign-ups for 24 hour coverage for info, operations & peoples safety
-There is also a community task board so that interested people who show up on site know how they can help. (as opposed to only listing online)
-Request for WG to let them know what kind of help they need, so they can properly direct volunteers
Legal:
-Some Occupy members (6-8) met with City officials today to keep open line of dialog. Many different working groups were there.
-attitude was clearly an effort to be respectful of 1st amendment rights
-dialog pursued covered issues like health and safety. On Weds the city will check the generator. Issues of cold and snow were brought up.
-there was hope for discussion about consolidating tents into a certain area
-the clothesline was commented on being ‘unsightly’
-issues of a more robust structure being erected for winter were inconclusive as there is nothing concrete to discuss on the part of OA
+ GA comments:
-Generator was recently purchased brand new & always attended to when on or 30 minutes past operation
-Request that proper WG (Operations) is on hand when City comes through & that they continue to monitor generator.
Note: Operations WG handles generator, sanitation, heaters
-Request that fire extinguisher find a permanent home next to generator
Facilitation:
-Met on Monday, added preliminary introduction format at front of meeting to welcome new participants
-Created liason position to help new attenders at their first meeting
-There is a print out at info table about suggested guidelines for making proposal process for GA go most efficient and effectively
-created new (pinky) sign to indicate if you are feeling frustrated with the GA as it is proceeding. This helps to vibe check.
WG Proposals
-none
Other Business
Michael – proposal: To amend Good Neighbor policy to include that:
OA practices non-discrimination including, but not limited to, speech, flags, symbols, or signs, provided that they are congruent with the statement that bigotted, homophobic, sexist, and racist language will not be tolerated on site.
This was consensus of the GA.
-Suggestion to do a temp check at next GA to move weekend GA earlier due to daylight savings time.
-Announcement of timed meditation meet-up at Thurs 5pm
-Arts & Music WG will meet Thursday at 4:30pm. It is on the schedule at info. Email Brian (email at info) if you can’t make it but want to be involved
-Emmas Revolution, (a band?) has posted new song, Occupy USA - lyrics and music online
-Collaboration/coordination working group encourages you to stop by the info table and say hi
-Occupier from Oakland with us tonight says that Oakland City employees have been allowed to take sick day in honor of General Strike (on Nov 2). Several unions have joined the strike. Students will walk out. OA welcomes OO demonstrator.