Post by hz on Nov 8, 2011 9:43:31 GMT -5
(via mikerancourt)
Occupy Albany GA 11-7-11
Josh – Facilitator
Rana – Stack
Dennis - Stack
Mike – Minutes
Colin – Vibes/Liason
CAUCUS UPDATES/REPORT BACKS
None
WORKING GROUP REPORT BACKS
Coordination WG – Located in the info tent – we have a status board which has weather updates. For instance, there is a 60% chance of rain on Thursday. There is a thank you to our donors board. There is also a binder containing real newspaper news stories, including some that are international or national. There is also a data binder with interesting statistics, etc… If you would like to have input on what will be in the tent registry paper, see the Coordination Group. There are printed sheets for “things we need” for folks to fill out if a WG needs donations. It was pointed out that MoveOn is
Food – They will have a meeting tomorrow night after the GA in the food donation tent (or near it). If you’re in the Operations WG (formerly sanitation WG), you are also encouraged to attend.
Direct Action – they are having a meeting Wednesday at noon. Come help plan or pose ideas for actions. F you cannot make it, email occupyalbanyDA@gmail.com. This week is Veterans Day, and Vets for Peace have invited OA to join the march, If you’re willing to be supportive of vets, you can march with them (go to staging area at Central and Patridge at 11AM on Friday).
Outreach – tomorrow at 7:30PM will be an outreach meeting help get the word out.
Facilitation WG – we meet every night after the GA, 20 minutes after the GA at the GA spot
Legal – A group from OA met last week with some city officials to have a dialogue re: a number of matters, mostly health and safety matters. Most of the people from OA felt pretty positively b/c the city didn’t ask us to do anything different. There was a recognitiuon that we’re here and we’re staying. A few days later, a city lawyer contacted Mark re: a Memorandum of Agreement mostly dealing with health and safety issues. At the Friday GA, we consented to meet with the city with a group from legal and others (35-40 people participated in discussing the OA response). Out of that, the group of 35-40 agreed on a proposal to make to the GA. See below. It will be presented tonight, and copies made available, so that we can make a decision in the next day or so.
1. OA is not able to enter into a leagally binding agreement on behalf of its participants
2. OA appreciates the city’s commitment in respecting the 1st Amendment rights of the OA
3. OA understands that the gvt admin of the city has a legitimate interest of protecting the safety of its residents and visitors
4. OA has demonstrated a parallel commitment by
a. establishing an Operations (sanitations) WG
b. Providing Food
c. A good neighbor policy
d. Committing unequicvocally to nonviolence 9THIS LIST IS INCPOMPLETE b/c typing is hard)
5. OA is committed to continued engagement with the city
This proposal will be taken up on Wednesday by the GA. If people would like to review it, copies will be available at the Legal and Welcome tents (and p0resumably digitally from the legal team).
It will also be posted online. If you have comments about the proposal, bring them to the GA Wednesday.
WORKING GROUP PROPOSALS
Legal Proposal #1
The expanded legal group that met with the city would like to meet with them again on Wednesday at 4PM.
Last night at the GA, it was suggested that different people meet with the city so it doesn’t seem that there is single representation. On the other hand, continuity helps.
CONSENSUS on a group attending the meeting at 4PM on Wednesday
Legal Proposal #2
A group of no more than 15 people, which include at least 4 or 5 of the people who were part of the previous meeting and that in general the group reflect people who have been involved in various aspects of the occupation.
CONSENSUS achieved – Whoever would like to be part of this group meet at OA at 3:30 on Wednesday
OTHER BUSINESS
Jan – starting a new working group to start a boycott and work with other occupation groups across the country. “I would like to take one franchise down at a time (like Walmart).” Meet Jan tomorrow after the GA near the wigwam by the GA area.
Len – Communications Workers of America (CWA) – they are having an event. The OWS made a decision that on Nov 17th, there will be a bridge blocking, and the CWA will organize a march starting this Thursday at 10AM, and there will be a rally at the start of the march. 20 miles per day and arrive in NYC the following Thursday. (*Hz edit to correct name & time)
Doug – I have a proclamation to be introduced to the city of Albany on next Monday which is in support of OA, and once again thanks police chief _______ and DA _________ for their actions so far on OA, so if you want to come to the meeting next Monday, come to 112 State Street.
Brad is interested in spending Saturday night in Lafayette Park. He hopes he won’t be arrested, but if he is, he will go peacefully, and he invites others to join him, though it is not specifically an OA action (though it may be)
Abe – doing a teach-in about personal internet security and a brief discourse on some legislation about the E Parasites act in the US Congress.
Siobhan – Starting 7PM, the Albany Common Council has their regular meeting, and they will be deciding on a resolution expressing solidarity for OA. There will also be people giving comments about the hydrofracking ban since this is the first meeting since the Mayor vetoes it. There will also be comments about SNUG.
Hezzi (Temp check) – what if we just have GA’s not every day but just weekends, Tuesday and Thursday (*Hz edit - response was almost unanimous fingers down)
Neville – a new WG in the interest of maintaining cohesiveness as a group within GA. This group would be an interpersonal facilitation (sounds like mediation) WG. This may include people with a background in conflict resolution. A more specific announcement will come tomorrow night.
Josh – Is anyone interested in a roundtable discussion in dynamics of power and authority within organizations like this – this will be about talking to people who feel like they have been taking on a lot. He would like to talk to people who have demonstrated “leadership skills” (defined in this context as people who are willing to teach). The discussion is about interrogating how people see leadership within a group that sees itself as having no leaders. How to build up collective ownership.
Occupy Albany GA 11-7-11
Josh – Facilitator
Rana – Stack
Dennis - Stack
Mike – Minutes
Colin – Vibes/Liason
CAUCUS UPDATES/REPORT BACKS
None
WORKING GROUP REPORT BACKS
Coordination WG – Located in the info tent – we have a status board which has weather updates. For instance, there is a 60% chance of rain on Thursday. There is a thank you to our donors board. There is also a binder containing real newspaper news stories, including some that are international or national. There is also a data binder with interesting statistics, etc… If you would like to have input on what will be in the tent registry paper, see the Coordination Group. There are printed sheets for “things we need” for folks to fill out if a WG needs donations. It was pointed out that MoveOn is
Food – They will have a meeting tomorrow night after the GA in the food donation tent (or near it). If you’re in the Operations WG (formerly sanitation WG), you are also encouraged to attend.
Direct Action – they are having a meeting Wednesday at noon. Come help plan or pose ideas for actions. F you cannot make it, email occupyalbanyDA@gmail.com. This week is Veterans Day, and Vets for Peace have invited OA to join the march, If you’re willing to be supportive of vets, you can march with them (go to staging area at Central and Patridge at 11AM on Friday).
Outreach – tomorrow at 7:30PM will be an outreach meeting help get the word out.
Facilitation WG – we meet every night after the GA, 20 minutes after the GA at the GA spot
Legal – A group from OA met last week with some city officials to have a dialogue re: a number of matters, mostly health and safety matters. Most of the people from OA felt pretty positively b/c the city didn’t ask us to do anything different. There was a recognitiuon that we’re here and we’re staying. A few days later, a city lawyer contacted Mark re: a Memorandum of Agreement mostly dealing with health and safety issues. At the Friday GA, we consented to meet with the city with a group from legal and others (35-40 people participated in discussing the OA response). Out of that, the group of 35-40 agreed on a proposal to make to the GA. See below. It will be presented tonight, and copies made available, so that we can make a decision in the next day or so.
1. OA is not able to enter into a leagally binding agreement on behalf of its participants
2. OA appreciates the city’s commitment in respecting the 1st Amendment rights of the OA
3. OA understands that the gvt admin of the city has a legitimate interest of protecting the safety of its residents and visitors
4. OA has demonstrated a parallel commitment by
a. establishing an Operations (sanitations) WG
b. Providing Food
c. A good neighbor policy
d. Committing unequicvocally to nonviolence 9THIS LIST IS INCPOMPLETE b/c typing is hard)
5. OA is committed to continued engagement with the city
This proposal will be taken up on Wednesday by the GA. If people would like to review it, copies will be available at the Legal and Welcome tents (and p0resumably digitally from the legal team).
It will also be posted online. If you have comments about the proposal, bring them to the GA Wednesday.
WORKING GROUP PROPOSALS
Legal Proposal #1
The expanded legal group that met with the city would like to meet with them again on Wednesday at 4PM.
Last night at the GA, it was suggested that different people meet with the city so it doesn’t seem that there is single representation. On the other hand, continuity helps.
CONSENSUS on a group attending the meeting at 4PM on Wednesday
Legal Proposal #2
A group of no more than 15 people, which include at least 4 or 5 of the people who were part of the previous meeting and that in general the group reflect people who have been involved in various aspects of the occupation.
CONSENSUS achieved – Whoever would like to be part of this group meet at OA at 3:30 on Wednesday
OTHER BUSINESS
Jan – starting a new working group to start a boycott and work with other occupation groups across the country. “I would like to take one franchise down at a time (like Walmart).” Meet Jan tomorrow after the GA near the wigwam by the GA area.
Len – Communications Workers of America (CWA) – they are having an event. The OWS made a decision that on Nov 17th, there will be a bridge blocking, and the CWA will organize a march starting this Thursday at 10AM, and there will be a rally at the start of the march. 20 miles per day and arrive in NYC the following Thursday. (*Hz edit to correct name & time)
Doug – I have a proclamation to be introduced to the city of Albany on next Monday which is in support of OA, and once again thanks police chief _______ and DA _________ for their actions so far on OA, so if you want to come to the meeting next Monday, come to 112 State Street.
Brad is interested in spending Saturday night in Lafayette Park. He hopes he won’t be arrested, but if he is, he will go peacefully, and he invites others to join him, though it is not specifically an OA action (though it may be)
Abe – doing a teach-in about personal internet security and a brief discourse on some legislation about the E Parasites act in the US Congress.
Siobhan – Starting 7PM, the Albany Common Council has their regular meeting, and they will be deciding on a resolution expressing solidarity for OA. There will also be people giving comments about the hydrofracking ban since this is the first meeting since the Mayor vetoes it. There will also be comments about SNUG.
Hezzi (Temp check) – what if we just have GA’s not every day but just weekends, Tuesday and Thursday (*Hz edit - response was almost unanimous fingers down)
Neville – a new WG in the interest of maintaining cohesiveness as a group within GA. This group would be an interpersonal facilitation (sounds like mediation) WG. This may include people with a background in conflict resolution. A more specific announcement will come tomorrow night.
Josh – Is anyone interested in a roundtable discussion in dynamics of power and authority within organizations like this – this will be about talking to people who feel like they have been taking on a lot. He would like to talk to people who have demonstrated “leadership skills” (defined in this context as people who are willing to teach). The discussion is about interrogating how people see leadership within a group that sees itself as having no leaders. How to build up collective ownership.