Post by nhiggins on Nov 11, 2011 16:32:23 GMT -5
General Assembly Minutes 11/10/11
Began with intro/welcome: Nicole facilitated, Siobhan took minutes, Dennis on stack, Sheila was time keeper. No one was on vibes or liaison.
Speak Out
-Tom suggested we find an abandoned school for when it gets cold so we have better shelter, and the ability to cook, etc. Serge responded with concern regarding maintaining a critical mass on site and city response to seizure of school.
-Alyssa: today was first sitting meditation on Thursday before GA. Will continue to be scheduled every Thursday at 5PM before GA. All are welcome, even if without meditation experience.
-Serge volunteered to train for facilitation
-Fundraiser for Social Justice Center announced: Friday, November 18th at the Linda. Purpose is to challenge current ideas of what’s “fashionable”.
Caucus Report Backs
-Radical caucus to meet after GA today in hexagon at 8PM
Working Group Report Back
-Abe from Food WG- Monday will begin the phase out of disposable plates and silverware. Everyone is encouraged to bring reusable, washable plates, cups, and utensils. A dishwashing station that requires 2 to operate is in use, so people will be able to wash their dishes on site. Also mentioned that the food WG has meeting Friday at 7PM to finalize shift duties. Dave Jacobs drafted 4pg document outlining responsibilities so it is clear what is necessary to be done, and other WGs should use this as a model for tasks relevant to their WGs.
-Drea appealed to GA for people to sign up to volunteer for food WG to alleviate the stress on those few who are on it.
-Dennis from Facilitation WG announced that Facilitation has an email address OccupyAlbanyFacilitation@gmail.com. Facilitation requests that all proposals be submitted at least 24 hours in advance so that they can be reviewed and details/expected questions can be vetted. The purpose is to streamline GAs and make sure that presenters are prepared for questions. Proposals should also be submitted to the Finance WG if applicable (asking for more than $25 for recognized WG) to OccupyAlbanyFinance@gmail.com for similar reasons of asking if all options have been utilized, and to get expected questions before asking GA for money.
-Facilitation training sessions will be held Saturday mornings at 11 AM.
-Abe (presenting for Eric) for Comfort WG- PLEASE don’t help yourself to items from comfort tent. If no one is there to help you, either find someone, or wait a few minutes and someone will be there shortly. The space is being left a mess after people have spent a lot of time organizing it. Please be respectful.
-Joe from Direct Action- Friday at 10:30 AM at corner of Central Ave and Partridge St., meeting for Veterans Day Parade. Encouraging people to attend for strong turnout from OA. Thursday November 17th at noon, five upstate occupations will be joining us in rally for Millionaire’s Tax. Direct Action meeting coming up (TBA).
-Drea from Education/Teach-in - Saturday morning at 10:45 in park will be a workshop for the Theatre of the Oppressed.
-Shanna from Outreach- Sunday from 5-7 PM will be a Community Building Forum at Albany Free School on Elm St. Purpose is to brainstorm and form open dialogue for outreach and growth of the movement.
No Working Group Proposals were made
Other Business
-Prinz- Jay Z, Kanye West, and Russell Simmons formally endorsed all Occupy Movements, with a concert that received worldwide media coverage, and wore T-shirts that said “Occupy All Streets”.
-Brett- Briefed on what the School of Assassins is in Georgia, announced that on November 18th-20th there will be a vigil to close school. Would like OA to have solidarity vigil. Asking for volunteer help. Will collaborate with Joe from Direct Action.
-Dan Wilcox from Veterans for Peace- reminded about parade tomorrow, and emphasized the purpose is to express respect for veterans and promote peace.
-Sheila- Occupy Troy’s second meeting will be on Saturday November 12th at 3PM at Freedom Square.
-Jan- Sunday, November 13th at 2PM will be the first Boycott Wal-Mart meeting at OA site.
-Bellevue Builders may be helping with winterization supplies.
-Regional Food Pantries need volunteers—suggested 3 people could take an occasional shift to relieve those already volunteering.
-Abe- Monday November 14th at 6:30PM in Nanotech South Auditorium will be presentation by some of the highest paid employees regarding the increasingly important role of nanotechnology in various facets of daily life.
-Josh- Sunday November 13th at 11 AM- roundtable discussion on increasing participation in encampment and personal responsibility.
-Jeremy- mentioned WMD conflict in Iran and FEMA constitutionality
-Mary- WAMC reported a young man at the Burlington Occupation had been shot with self-inflicted wound and was in critical condition. UPDATE: he has passed away. He was a combat veteran.
-CWA workers that marched 19.2 miles from Albany to Castleton today. Will resume march tomorrow. They are scheduled to arrive in Zuccotti Park on the 17th.
-It was announced that 6 members of senate and congress are building a case to revoke corporate personhood.
Began with intro/welcome: Nicole facilitated, Siobhan took minutes, Dennis on stack, Sheila was time keeper. No one was on vibes or liaison.
Speak Out
-Tom suggested we find an abandoned school for when it gets cold so we have better shelter, and the ability to cook, etc. Serge responded with concern regarding maintaining a critical mass on site and city response to seizure of school.
-Alyssa: today was first sitting meditation on Thursday before GA. Will continue to be scheduled every Thursday at 5PM before GA. All are welcome, even if without meditation experience.
-Serge volunteered to train for facilitation
-Fundraiser for Social Justice Center announced: Friday, November 18th at the Linda. Purpose is to challenge current ideas of what’s “fashionable”.
Caucus Report Backs
-Radical caucus to meet after GA today in hexagon at 8PM
Working Group Report Back
-Abe from Food WG- Monday will begin the phase out of disposable plates and silverware. Everyone is encouraged to bring reusable, washable plates, cups, and utensils. A dishwashing station that requires 2 to operate is in use, so people will be able to wash their dishes on site. Also mentioned that the food WG has meeting Friday at 7PM to finalize shift duties. Dave Jacobs drafted 4pg document outlining responsibilities so it is clear what is necessary to be done, and other WGs should use this as a model for tasks relevant to their WGs.
-Drea appealed to GA for people to sign up to volunteer for food WG to alleviate the stress on those few who are on it.
-Dennis from Facilitation WG announced that Facilitation has an email address OccupyAlbanyFacilitation@gmail.com. Facilitation requests that all proposals be submitted at least 24 hours in advance so that they can be reviewed and details/expected questions can be vetted. The purpose is to streamline GAs and make sure that presenters are prepared for questions. Proposals should also be submitted to the Finance WG if applicable (asking for more than $25 for recognized WG) to OccupyAlbanyFinance@gmail.com for similar reasons of asking if all options have been utilized, and to get expected questions before asking GA for money.
-Facilitation training sessions will be held Saturday mornings at 11 AM.
-Abe (presenting for Eric) for Comfort WG- PLEASE don’t help yourself to items from comfort tent. If no one is there to help you, either find someone, or wait a few minutes and someone will be there shortly. The space is being left a mess after people have spent a lot of time organizing it. Please be respectful.
-Joe from Direct Action- Friday at 10:30 AM at corner of Central Ave and Partridge St., meeting for Veterans Day Parade. Encouraging people to attend for strong turnout from OA. Thursday November 17th at noon, five upstate occupations will be joining us in rally for Millionaire’s Tax. Direct Action meeting coming up (TBA).
-Drea from Education/Teach-in - Saturday morning at 10:45 in park will be a workshop for the Theatre of the Oppressed.
-Shanna from Outreach- Sunday from 5-7 PM will be a Community Building Forum at Albany Free School on Elm St. Purpose is to brainstorm and form open dialogue for outreach and growth of the movement.
No Working Group Proposals were made
Other Business
-Prinz- Jay Z, Kanye West, and Russell Simmons formally endorsed all Occupy Movements, with a concert that received worldwide media coverage, and wore T-shirts that said “Occupy All Streets”.
-Brett- Briefed on what the School of Assassins is in Georgia, announced that on November 18th-20th there will be a vigil to close school. Would like OA to have solidarity vigil. Asking for volunteer help. Will collaborate with Joe from Direct Action.
-Dan Wilcox from Veterans for Peace- reminded about parade tomorrow, and emphasized the purpose is to express respect for veterans and promote peace.
-Sheila- Occupy Troy’s second meeting will be on Saturday November 12th at 3PM at Freedom Square.
-Jan- Sunday, November 13th at 2PM will be the first Boycott Wal-Mart meeting at OA site.
-Bellevue Builders may be helping with winterization supplies.
-Regional Food Pantries need volunteers—suggested 3 people could take an occasional shift to relieve those already volunteering.
-Abe- Monday November 14th at 6:30PM in Nanotech South Auditorium will be presentation by some of the highest paid employees regarding the increasingly important role of nanotechnology in various facets of daily life.
-Josh- Sunday November 13th at 11 AM- roundtable discussion on increasing participation in encampment and personal responsibility.
-Jeremy- mentioned WMD conflict in Iran and FEMA constitutionality
-Mary- WAMC reported a young man at the Burlington Occupation had been shot with self-inflicted wound and was in critical condition. UPDATE: he has passed away. He was a combat veteran.
-CWA workers that marched 19.2 miles from Albany to Castleton today. Will resume march tomorrow. They are scheduled to arrive in Zuccotti Park on the 17th.
-It was announced that 6 members of senate and congress are building a case to revoke corporate personhood.
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