October 23, 2011 – General Assembly Notes
Posted: October 26, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment10/23 Occupy Burlington GA Minutes
After a march and rally last Sunday, 10/23, Burlington’s second General Assembly began at 2:00.
Facilitators: Robbie, Sydney, Ian, Sasha, Anna, Frank, Bill, Dylan
We began with a review of hand signals and the consensus process, and ten minutes for people to say one sentence about why they were there. We then launched into working group report backs.
Media Group- Rob
There is now a wiki that everyone can contribute to: owsvt.wikispaces.com
The minutes will be there and people can discuss proposals there before they go to the GA
You can also put links to blogs, videos, etc.
Everyone can be an organizer!
Strategy Group
A proposal was put forward and passed to start the Occupation of City Hall Park at 3pm this Friday, Oct 28.
There, we can decide to move the occupation to an inside space for winter. It’s better to keep that discussion a little less public. Everyone, please bring any extra tents, sleeping bags, or other supplies with you on Friday, even if you can’t stay the night. We do not want to conflict with the Farmer’s Market- the occupation will be of the other half of the park. The Strategy Group will meet Sundays at 11:30 at the statue in City Hall Park. All are welcome to get involved.
Environment Group- John
A proposal was put forward and passed to make the theme of the march at 12:30 on Sun., Oct 30
CLOSE VT YANKEE!
This is in solidarity with the march on Vermont Yankee, which is taking place at noon. People are welcome to represent any and all concerns at the march, but the overall theme will be Close Vermont Yankee.
Economic Working Group- Brian
Email Brian if you want to join the Economic working group’s listserve: briankel48@gmail.com
He announced a teach-in Monday at 2:30 in the Ira Allen Chapel
Anti-Oppression working group
They are working on a statement. Email MungoJelly@gmail.com if you want to get involved.
Direct Action Group
Now working with the Strategy group
Facilitation working group- Anna
Next week there will be another march and speak out at 12:30 and a General Assembly at 2:00.
The facilitation meeting is Saturday at 6pm in the conference room of the UVM Medical Library.
Trainings for facilitators are open to all and the next one is Monday at 6pm at 6 Bradley St.
Anti-Misogyny working group- Hayley
They are working on a statement for next weekend. They meet with Fed Up Vermont at 5pm at Maglianero Cafe.
Food Group- Sydney
Food Not Bombs has been providing food every week. They are looking to expand their group in order to prepare for the occupation.
Student Working group- Travis
The student group prepared a statement, but many people had left and the GA agreed to hold off on voting until next week.
The student group’s demands:
An end to tuition hikes, limit class sizes, abolish golden parachutes, cut admin payroll, freedom of dress and expression, stop the corporatization of education, eliminate student debt, and free, government-funded education. They meet Sundays at 11:00.
Magazine Working Group- Todd
They are starting a magazine. Also, tell all your musician friends to come on Friday!
Nonviolence Statement WG
History shows that violence is not a way to accomplish what we want. Meet after the GA if you want to be involved in drafting a nonviolence statement.
Outreach-Jonny
Meet by the Firehouse Gallery after the meeting to discuss flyers and how to build this movement!
Announcements:
Report from Occupy Portland: They maintained several blocks even once the police told them to leave. Up to 10,000 people on the streets of Portland.
From Fukushima to VT Yankee, Wednesday, Oct 26, 6:30pm at the Fletcher Free Library with Arnie Gunderson.
Occupy UVM is holding teach-ins every Monday at 1:00 in front of the Library and General Assemblies every Thursday at 1:00. The next teach-in will include a report form the Board of Trustees Meeting and segments on Why Protest? Why Occupy? and Power & Privilege.
Occupy Metronome raised over $100. The group decided to wait till next week to decide what to do with the $.
Do not bring any drugs, alcohol, guns, or other weapons to the Occupation!
Invite 5-10 friends!
The Department of Defense is meeting with Vermont Small Businesses on Wednesday from 9-5:00 at the Sheraton. Let’s protest that!
October 16, 2011 General Assembly – Notes
Posted: October 16, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentOccupy Burlington VT General Assembly Notes: 10/16
Co-Facilitators – Anna & Ian
PROPOSED Agenda
- GA Process
- Proposal, introduce facilitators
- Agenda Vote
- Working Group (“WG” from here on) Proposals
- Break out into working groups
- WG reports
- Announcements
- March
- Soapbox
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINAL AGENDA
- GA Process
- Proposal, intro facilitators
- WG proposals
- Break out into WG
- WG reports
- March
- Announcements/soapbox
Agenda points 3, 4, 5 notes:
Working groups:
Environmental Group
– Focus on corporate control
– Close VT yankee
– Balance local, national and international approach to environmental justice
Meets 11:30 on Sundays in City Hall Park. Contact John Kozel – j.e.kozel@gmail.com
Anti-Misogyny Group
– Recognize women & queers in movement
– Communicate with other feminist/anti-misogyny groups
Meets 5pm on Sundays at Maglianero’s Café, fedupburlington.wordpress.com
Facilitation Group
– Facilitation trainings every Tuesday & Thursday 6pm, 6 Bradley St
– Facilitation planning for GA Saturday 6 pm, 6 Bradley St
Meets at 4pm on Sundays to debrief GA
Media
– Lots of media!
– Used to unify efforts into 1 hub of information
– Interested in photos, print, text, video, blogs, social media
WIKI info, email rskiff@mac.com; general Media info, email Dev devjana@yahoo.com
Labor Solidarity Group
– Small but spirited group!
– Representation from NEA & AFT (VT’s biggest labor unions)
To get on the list, email Jim jramey1979@gmail.com
Student Movement Group
– Burlington College, Champlain, UVM, CCV
– Organizing via Facebook, fliers, student banner
– Bring spirit of Occupy to schools
Meets 11am Sundays in the Northwest corner of City Hall park
Direct Action
– Plan march routes, further courses of action
Contact Will, will.bennington@gmail.com
Fundraising
– Reportback not clear
– Event at metronome?
Anti Oppression
– Diversity is the well of our union, oppression poisons that well
– Craft a statement to bring before the GA that we can all agree on
Contact mungojelly@gmail.com
Economic Solutions Group
– Look at systemic problems
– Develop solutions
– Contact Adam: 415-702-5759, azreynol@uvm.edu OR Brian: bkelly4@uvm.edu
Anti-War and Peace Working Group
– Contact Ali: ali_hjafari@yahoo.com
– Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Burlington-Peace-Group/287014734656763
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