Post by kim on Jan 8, 2012 23:02:36 GMT -7
Agenda & Minutes to GA of 01/08/2012
~ 31 people in attendance
Agenda
Review of Process.
I. Announcements
II. Working group reports
III. Proposals
a. State aloud/Scribe
b. Clarifications/questions
c. Concerns
d. Resolution
IV. Other Business
V. Confirm date/time/place of next meetings
VI. Evaluation of Meeting
VII. Adjournment: Discussion & Soapbox
Minutes
I. I. Announcements
1. February 2: Students for Peace and Justice screening “The Economics of Happiness” at 7:00pm at UC Theater on third floor.
2. Food Not Bombs serving food today and every Sunday at 4pm. Need volunteers.
II. Working Group Reports
1. Communications group: Meetings on Monday at 5:30 pm. The Missoulian may run an “Occupy Corner” to provide a notice of activities going on around town to the community. Will be structured in the Communications group meeting, everyone welcome & encouraged to attend. Also working to upgrade the online presence of activism around town. POI: With the Independent, once its on the calendar, it stays there so best to set a day and time and make sure it is a set date.
2. Encampment: City and county issues & Food Not Bombs all a part of it. Some people will stay whatever we decide today. The encampment group prefers to allow the county to take down the tent. There is a banner being made. POI: Larry Farnes says that all tents taken away before were retrievable, but going forward will not be retrievable, e.g if they take down the big tent. This is not a formal response or statement from the county. A resolution is not a law, and this resolution is not enforceable. No proposals currently. POI: A rental unit is available for any stuff that needs to be moved off the court house lawn whenever the time comes for that.
3. Direct Action: Met yesterday, meeting next time at 4:30 Saturday. In front of courthouse most of the day tomorrow, especially at noon and 4-5:30 pm. Rally at Caras Park soon. Occupy the courts on Jan 20. [Check Calendar for details of all events]
4. Foreclosure Defense Group: Will meet Sundays at 12:00 noon at the Break. Next week will likely bring a proposal endorsing this as one of Occupy’s formal actions.
5. Move to Amend working group: January 20th need all the people possible. Outreach key, get more people. Numbers important for the rally. Email was sent out to all of western Montana. Missoulian contact, article should go out on Tuesday before event, also will be on all the calendars. Independent will put us on the calendar but not run an article. TV & radio publicity still needed. Leafleting done on First Friday to increase awareness, positive response from community. Thanks to Montana courts for not going along with Citizens United in Montana. Postering action this week will be posted on the listserv. Also will contact other Occupy groups in Montana, but not lots of organizing statewide. To achieve a constitutional amendment will require broad support. Assembling speaker panel for the rally, need more speakers! Invitations are out to multiple speakers, should have Monday 2pm at Break Espresso for next meeting.
6. Facilitation: Meeting at 1:00pm on Sundays prior to each GA. Everyone welcome, more facilitators needs to keep the process democratic! Two proposals for this week. One came out of discussion last GA.
7. Finance: Next meeting time will be posted on the calendar. Learning about 501c3/501c4/501c8. Currently we have $19.30 in Wepay account, $100 in cash that is general fund money, ~ $185 in Good Food account.
8. Occupy the Oval. Many students have gone home for holiday break. Will start officially after the break (in 2 weeks). Handouts from first night will be made available then.
9. Consensus Group: Meets on Wednesdays at 7pm in Union Hall basement. Completing the book this week, and will begin writing up a structure for our GA consensus process.
III. Proposals
A. Statement of Proposals – Scribed:
a. Proposal 1: That Occupy Missoula formally endorse Move to Amend.
b. Proposal 2: Wrap up GAs at 4:30
c. Proposal 3: Endorse Occupy Congress, which is looking for support and solidarity
d. Proposal 4: Make it a part of the process that until someone has attended at least one prior GA that person cannot block a proposal
e. Proposal 5: Propose we take down the green tent as soon as possible.
Other: Working Groups Suggested
f. Philadelphia 4th of July delegates/start working group (Sign up sheet passed around)
g. Propose a fund raising committee/start fund raising working group
B. Prioritization of Proposals: Go through in current order, since first ones should be handled through the process relatively quickly, last one may need more time. –Consensed order of address.
Discussion of Proposals:
Proposal 1: Occupy Missoula formally endorse Move to Amend.
Description: There is a lot of sensitivity nationwide of non-profits, etc using Occupy without any real attachment to the issue. John wrote to Move to Amend to ask what GA they attended to use the name, and they responded it was well received by multiple OWS movements, included Occupy Wall Street. BY having this discussion we are establishing OM should not be used by any group until it has been vetted through a GA process, to ensure that groups not aligned with OM’s values are not using the name.
a. Questions/Clarifications (e.g. “Did you mean…?”)
i. Is there any way to stop them if they do just use it? We can use media reports and counter rallies to counter actions that don’t meet OM goals.
ii. What is the connection between Occupy and endorsements? Laying out that we endorse these actions, and it is not valid unless we approve it as a GA.
iii. Holding a presence and a place for the people. Co-opted if we say these movement are here in the GA not at the [physical occupation site].
iv. Is there a distinction between Occupy the Courts and Move to Amend? Move to Amend is a movement around that specific subject, and is using Occupy name.
b. Concerns (“I like/dislike it because…”)
i. No concerns
c. Resolutions: Consensus reached, proposal passed.
Proposal 2: Wrap up GAs at 4:30
a. Questions/Clarifications
i. How will time be reallocated to meet this time frame? /End times and discussion lengths will be set, organic to each GA.
ii. Can the agenda be structured accordingly during facilitation meeting? /Agenda is set, doesn’t change much, just proposals change. /POI: Food Not Bombs starts at 4pm on Sundays, so some will leave.
iii. The idea is that working groups come prepared with proposals so proposals are not hashed out in the GA but come in ready to go through consensus process.
b. Concerns (“I like/dislike it because…”) Vibe Check: Positive. No concerns.
C. Resolution: Consensed/Passed
Proposal 3: Endorse Occupy Congress, which is looking for support and solidarity
Description: Movement has endorsements from multiple Occupy Movements already
Discussion/clarification:
a. a.) Questions/Clarifications
i. What are you asking congress to do? /To listen.
ii. Who is that specifically, since congress is a lot of people. /The plan is to take to the halls of the house and have conversations with all the representatives.
iii. Are you planning on going? /Yes, 15th through the 20th.
iv. Is it a good idea, if passed, that part of endorsement is to send reps to Rehberg and Baucus’ office, that we endorse this as well?
v. Has Occupy come up with a distilled message to convey? /No because our job is to provide the time and place to allow people to bring their ideas. Generally those interested have expressed they are against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act-censorship of the internet), NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), and corporate personhood.
vi. Does Occupy Congress go as a single unit, addressing all members, or is there room for OM to go with its own concerns? /Goal is to facilitate access with reps and allow a conversation. Occupy movements can enable someone to go and represent a group’s views.
vii. Take away citizenship, incarceration possible./SOPA could mean incarceration for any copywrite law infringement, e.g. singing songs out loud could technically break the law.
viii. Can Brandon finish the list started-meaning are that any other large items? /Local issues as well, but those named before are the main ones.
b. b.) Concerns
i. If they go and have the opportunity to speak, and they are there as Occupy, we should agree on a set of issues that they can speak on. Gain a consensus of what items we agree on that should be addressed. /POI: Many of the Occupations have been putting together a document that states their concerns so that those concerns are brought by the Occupy the Congress reps.
ii. Compile list, with vibe checks to confirm, so we have a coherent message? Yes- Consensed Topics of Concern: Move to Amend, Campaign Finance (Remove Corporate Money from Elections), SOPA, NDAA, Expansion of the Tar Sands/Anti Keystone XL, No More Oil Subsidies, Control Wall Street, Tax the Rich, Separation of Powers, Control War Profiteering/End War, Protect Food ,Water, & Environment from Corporate Interests, & Opposition to Coal Export.
POI/Suggestion: Include Schweitzer in correspondence
iii. Will communications group then put together a communication for this? /Timely matter, therefore communications group should be authorized to write and send it to the Occupy Congress group. /We are putting our trust in Brandon and the other Occupations to present the message.
c.) Resolution: Passed, Consensus.
Proposal 4: Make it a part of process that until someone has attended at least one prior GA, that person cannot block a proposal brought by a working group.
a) Questions:
i. Amendment: You can’t block if you haven’t been to a recent General Assembly, because somebody who was at an early GA may show up just to interrupt the process.
ii. Are there any other GAs that are using this model? /Not that we are aware.
iii. How many times have blocking concerns come up? /A few, at least one.
b) Concerns
i. We don’t want to isolate people to feel they can’t speak up if they have a deep moral reason. /We are more than happy to hear concerns, address concerns, and hopefully alleviate those concerns, but those who have not participated just can’t block an action.
ii. Friendly amendment: Similar to neighborhood council meetings, encourages participation, must have attended another Occupy Missoula GA within last 30 days. /Would require keeping attendance, or use an honor system on behalf of the participants.
iii. Instead of disallowing, just state that if the block is not set aside the issue must be tabled for the next week. /That is what is happening currently. However, if there is an imminent decision to be made that does effectively stop it form happening. If a person chooses to, they may step aside, however if they do not step aside then the decision must be tabled and returned to the working group. /Proactively trying to prevent the “Tyranny of the Minority.”
iv. Friendly amendment is not addressed to a place where it resolves the issue at hand.
v. Maybe this is not the right time and place, propose we table it for now. Lots of complications, like how to treat those people who participate in Forums, workgroups, etc, yet might not attend a GA.
vi. Suggestion: Go back to the original proposal & drop the 30 day amendment?
vii. Word it that “unless they have attended a recent GA or been otherwise actively involved?”
c) Resolution: Proposal to table it for further work in Consensus & Facilitation work groups/vibe check, yes. Tabled.
----------------------- Break 3:45 -----------------------------------
Return from break. Discussion of how to wrap up meeting by 4:30. -- Covered times/dates/places of next meetings first, before going on to other proposal. --
Proposal 5: Propose we take down the green tent as soon as possible.
Description: Green tent is very old and fragile, 66 years old, observed that the fabric is rotting, and a storm can damage it beyond repair. Thus, it is reasonable to take it down while it is relatively dry for future use. Also, encampment as an Occupy action is not sustainable. OM has not supported those staying there well enough. Third, we put it up together, it is our duty to take it down and not make the county do it for us.
d. a.) Questions:
i. Tent was never structurally put up correctly. Dangerous and needs to come down.
ii. This is about the green tent only, not about the other tents or those staying there? /Yes. If someone wanted to make a friendly amendment beyond that they can, and not sure how positive the presence is there but this is about the tent. Occupy has not really been occupying down there, not very active there, but green tent.
iii. Tent in the gazebo taken down too? /That is outside the proposal as it stands. We can keep our information in the Gazebo at this time, as of December 16th.
iv. If the tent comes down, what will go in its place? /POI: Tent is not sustainable, but some people want to keep it up one more night, and then tomorrow restructure it to make it safer. Supposedly 10 people who will stay there. Tent is a billboard and a form of free speech. Let the county take it down. Legal work going on around that.
v. Legality: Resolution states it’s not ok, but that it is not a law, correct? /Legal right is to stay there, so they cannot take it down without a state ordinance. Many lawyers are working on this right now. At this point, if they take the tent we have legal recourse.
vi. How many people in this consensus group do not think that the people staying on the courthouse lawn is a direct action? [not applicable-proposal applies to green tent only]
vii. Not just about the tent, but the signs as well? And specific day and time to do it? /No time like today, but no not a specific time. County will even take down the tent on our direction. Yes all the signs as well except those around the gazebo.
viii. Why should the county take it down instead of us (in terms of just leaving it up and not giving them authorization)? /They have no grounds.
ix. POP: 4:22pm, adjournment at 4:30? Extend to 4:45.
x. After we have the facts can we take a vote on the issue? /No not the process. Will take concerns, then try to come to consensus.
e. b.) Concerns: Take 3 concerns for, three concerns against the proposal
i. For: In favor of taking it down. Not safe. Falling apart, some think it can be fixed but as someone who helped sew it, not so sure that is possible.
ii. Against: Believe it is a direct action, and thus we need to maintain it. If it is in that bad of shape, do what it takes to fix it up.
iii. For: The ACLU has all the documents. One person is in there alone. If we take it down, it is ours, however, if they take it down and store it can be taken as evidence.
iv. Neutral: Issue is not just the tent. Not for against the tent, need to clarify the real issues, and if this is a direct action and symbol do we lose our power if we take it down?
v. Against: the encampment work group wants to keep the tent, empower them to do so. It’s a legal matter, wait and see what the legal people come up with. /We have discussed ending the camp in the past, but never just removing the tent.
vi. For: Safety is the main issue. How would an injury hurt Occupy? Where is the responsibility? Besides bad press in the community. Point of contention we do not need.
Vibe check: can we pass this proposal? General vibe-Unlikely. Any more concerns and should we continue to discuss this proposal? Yes
vii. Devil’s advocate: what happens if this proposal doesn’t pass? The tent stays up. What then? What is the legal representation? Tent was originally put up to help protect those staying on the lawn. If it is taken from us, we have people on the lawn without shelter. What is our obligation to the individuals on the courthouse lawn? /The county is responsible if they take the tent, not us. It’s a resolution not an ordinance.
viii. Will work on it to make the tent safe.
ix. The houseless people camping by the gazebo are not in the big green tent or using the amenities.
x. Leaving the big tent up and forcing confrontation will hurt the movement. A few people want confrontation. Not good to make enemies of the commissioners.
xi. Group must find a way to have a more activist arm while addressing Ethel’s concerns as well.
xii. If we are on the fence, we should take the best interests of the community into account.
xiii. By not passing this proposal, we in effect consense to leave the tent.
xiv. Two blocking concerns were expressed in leaving the tent with no decision today.
xv. Are we ready for this kind of confrontation? Consensus is a work in process, we are all trying to understand what is the best option all around. Whether we are ready or not doesn’t matter, it’s here. Will we ever make hard choice until we have to? We must choose to confront or choose not to.
xvi. The next storm rather than the county or the protesters will take it down. Who will take responsibility for that?
xvii. Standoff with resolution will be resolved in coming days. Allow the confrontation to pass and then take it down.
xviii. Amendment: set a date, e.g. we’ll take the big tent down on December 1st 2012. Otherwise, what is the end game? When will it be taken down? What is the goal? Why is it there?
xix. Good to look at the tent as its own direct action in a form, important. Not a lot of community support for this. All the time spent trying to figure this out could have been spent on something else.
xx. By not adopting this proposal, Laura must stay there another night. Otherwise if there is no one there it will be taken overnight. Some who would stay cannot due to health.
xxi. In every successful movement there have been two major factors that have diverged: a more activist and a more pacifist. One that holds the politicians’ feet to the fire, another that can have a conversation with the politicians once their feet are to the fire. Divest ourselves from the tent, give it to the encampment working group. Essentially become two groups. Or 2) Pick an end date, such as January 20th.
xxii. Stand with Ethel. Tent brings shame. Powerful movement forfeiting power over a shabby tent on the lawn. Have tolerance for ambiguity toward the future, but take down tent because it is a negative symbol.
xxiii. Why is the tent so vital to be there? /Keep the tent there to blatantly protest to county and the GA. Commissioners never came down to talk. They have not been friendly, not working with those protesters on the lawn. Not solving problems, just creating them. Tent is a protest to an unjust resolution.
xxiv. What is there intent and at what point will the encampment group feel that original intent is addressed? It’s a day by day process, tent could be locked up tonight for 6 months, won’t change the underlying problems of the community. We made things worse for them at this point, have a responsibility to fix that.
xxv. That property [courthouse] belongs to us.
xxvi. Missoula county and city is not going to solve homelessness. Neither is Occupy. Occupy is about attacking the underlying power structures to prevent future homelessness not symptomatic problems.
xxvii. New viewpoints from those who have not spoken much or are new to the process? 1. City government: us vs. them or us and them? Both sides working together. Do we want to get into a bluffing game with them or work for something real? Respond to their bluff? Is that the endgame? 2. Taking the tent down at this point,those who are supportive might see this as Occupy taking the high road and be more wiling to participate. 3. Interested in the idea that it is inevitable that one group will take a political stance and another is confrontational; that there is a natural tendency to break into these factions. Usually two separate groups with affinity arise. 4. Social work perspective: support for embracing the community and taking the high road (taking tent down). 5. In agreement to maintain a good relationship with the officials, but not in agreement to give in to them. 6. When the tent does come down, how can we bring the injustice of the encampment to light? (a press release did go out, on Thursday). Restated: how can we continue our dissent of the resolution and the issues on hand?
xxviii. The tent itself was intended to be a direct action and statement. Keep it to be a thorn in the side another day--Take it back for that use as the annoyance that it is, to make a statement. Figure out a date and a time to comply with the desires of the commissioners, but have it as a future direct action as needed.
xxix. Occupy Foreclosure can use it.
xxx. Smaller white tent might be more effective, easier to use for statements.
xxxi. Pick a date to take it down: on or before January 15 (Sunday). /No it could be taken before then; should take it down by Tuesday at 5pm. Supposed to snow on Wednesday. / On Martin Luther King Day.
c.) Resolution: Tent will be taken down on or before MLK Day. Passed.
IV. Other Business/Discussion points
1. Not Addressed.
V. Confirm date/time/place of next assemblies
Sunday: Union Hall 2pm
Tuesday: Forum, 5:30 pm, Downstairs lobby of the Library.
POI: Best to reserve the room on a weekly basis best, otherwise hit and miss. Library closes at 9pm on Tuesday. In the future, there is a proposal to try to get a regular large space to encourage community participation.
Friday , Occupy the Oval: (? School break- UC closed, members of OTO left meeting earlier)
VI. VI. Evaluation of Meeting
Comments: Getting to a place where we can come up with solutions, letting go of positions for the group to reach decisions. Good meeting and discussions. Now we can get on the issues. Clarifying deep issues, getting deeper into making this process work. Group process is maturing. Sad to see empty seats by the time we get to conclusion, but we have to make the process work and glad to see things moving ahead. Student of the process, heard some concerns about the process today and want to make sure that the concerns about process are heard and are taken into account and considered. Still a lot of room for growth, but be sure to let those working it on it know if there are concerns about the processes. Process is fascinating and inspiring. Appreciative of the compassion, frustrating at times but good so see people discussing through it, issues that affect people and important, glad we took the time. Thanks for facilitating, has seen smaller groups turn in fights. Thankful for all who have hung in there for months, looking forward to moving forward. Thanks to facilitator & stack team, saw lots of back and forth, because everyone gave everyone else the space to speak. Happy it turned out this way and think it will do us good in the long run. /Possible to achieve largely through attrition-for efficiency’s sake it may be necessary to adopt the 90% model. With more people would be even harder to get to where we did. /Mechanism needed to avoid the duplication-repeated things, but we got through the first proposals by the process relatively quickly./Kudos to facilitation team, but will need relief at some point. Heavy involvement in consensus groups in past, this group has a long way to go and we need to get on it quickly because we have some large issues to address/thanks for op to participate and observe/great to see process/very difficult subject matter, need to keep in mind that this decision was won by attrition, we need to respect those ideas as we go forward/feeling close to history being changed/kudos to all those who have hung in there, process in process/group needs to get better at understanding the process, not repeating ourselves, and not speaking out of turn.
VII. Adjournment 5:56pm.
Continuation of Other Discussion (None)
~ 31 people in attendance
Agenda
Review of Process.
I. Announcements
II. Working group reports
a. Communication
b. Encampment
c. Direct Action
d. Foreclosure Defense
e. Move to Amend
f. Facilitation
g. Finance
h. Occupy the Oval
i. New Groups?
III. Proposals
a. State aloud/Scribe
b. Clarifications/questions
c. Concerns
d. Resolution
IV. Other Business
V. Confirm date/time/place of next meetings
VI. Evaluation of Meeting
VII. Adjournment: Discussion & Soapbox
Minutes
I. I. Announcements
1. February 2: Students for Peace and Justice screening “The Economics of Happiness” at 7:00pm at UC Theater on third floor.
2. Food Not Bombs serving food today and every Sunday at 4pm. Need volunteers.
II. Working Group Reports
1. Communications group: Meetings on Monday at 5:30 pm. The Missoulian may run an “Occupy Corner” to provide a notice of activities going on around town to the community. Will be structured in the Communications group meeting, everyone welcome & encouraged to attend. Also working to upgrade the online presence of activism around town. POI: With the Independent, once its on the calendar, it stays there so best to set a day and time and make sure it is a set date.
2. Encampment: City and county issues & Food Not Bombs all a part of it. Some people will stay whatever we decide today. The encampment group prefers to allow the county to take down the tent. There is a banner being made. POI: Larry Farnes says that all tents taken away before were retrievable, but going forward will not be retrievable, e.g if they take down the big tent. This is not a formal response or statement from the county. A resolution is not a law, and this resolution is not enforceable. No proposals currently. POI: A rental unit is available for any stuff that needs to be moved off the court house lawn whenever the time comes for that.
3. Direct Action: Met yesterday, meeting next time at 4:30 Saturday. In front of courthouse most of the day tomorrow, especially at noon and 4-5:30 pm. Rally at Caras Park soon. Occupy the courts on Jan 20. [Check Calendar for details of all events]
4. Foreclosure Defense Group: Will meet Sundays at 12:00 noon at the Break. Next week will likely bring a proposal endorsing this as one of Occupy’s formal actions.
5. Move to Amend working group: January 20th need all the people possible. Outreach key, get more people. Numbers important for the rally. Email was sent out to all of western Montana. Missoulian contact, article should go out on Tuesday before event, also will be on all the calendars. Independent will put us on the calendar but not run an article. TV & radio publicity still needed. Leafleting done on First Friday to increase awareness, positive response from community. Thanks to Montana courts for not going along with Citizens United in Montana. Postering action this week will be posted on the listserv. Also will contact other Occupy groups in Montana, but not lots of organizing statewide. To achieve a constitutional amendment will require broad support. Assembling speaker panel for the rally, need more speakers! Invitations are out to multiple speakers, should have Monday 2pm at Break Espresso for next meeting.
6. Facilitation: Meeting at 1:00pm on Sundays prior to each GA. Everyone welcome, more facilitators needs to keep the process democratic! Two proposals for this week. One came out of discussion last GA.
7. Finance: Next meeting time will be posted on the calendar. Learning about 501c3/501c4/501c8. Currently we have $19.30 in Wepay account, $100 in cash that is general fund money, ~ $185 in Good Food account.
8. Occupy the Oval. Many students have gone home for holiday break. Will start officially after the break (in 2 weeks). Handouts from first night will be made available then.
9. Consensus Group: Meets on Wednesdays at 7pm in Union Hall basement. Completing the book this week, and will begin writing up a structure for our GA consensus process.
III. Proposals
A. Statement of Proposals – Scribed:
a. Proposal 1: That Occupy Missoula formally endorse Move to Amend.
b. Proposal 2: Wrap up GAs at 4:30
c. Proposal 3: Endorse Occupy Congress, which is looking for support and solidarity
d. Proposal 4: Make it a part of the process that until someone has attended at least one prior GA that person cannot block a proposal
e. Proposal 5: Propose we take down the green tent as soon as possible.
Other: Working Groups Suggested
f. Philadelphia 4th of July delegates/start working group (Sign up sheet passed around)
g. Propose a fund raising committee/start fund raising working group
B. Prioritization of Proposals: Go through in current order, since first ones should be handled through the process relatively quickly, last one may need more time. –Consensed order of address.
Discussion of Proposals:
Proposal 1: Occupy Missoula formally endorse Move to Amend.
Description: There is a lot of sensitivity nationwide of non-profits, etc using Occupy without any real attachment to the issue. John wrote to Move to Amend to ask what GA they attended to use the name, and they responded it was well received by multiple OWS movements, included Occupy Wall Street. BY having this discussion we are establishing OM should not be used by any group until it has been vetted through a GA process, to ensure that groups not aligned with OM’s values are not using the name.
a. Questions/Clarifications (e.g. “Did you mean…?”)
i. Is there any way to stop them if they do just use it? We can use media reports and counter rallies to counter actions that don’t meet OM goals.
ii. What is the connection between Occupy and endorsements? Laying out that we endorse these actions, and it is not valid unless we approve it as a GA.
iii. Holding a presence and a place for the people. Co-opted if we say these movement are here in the GA not at the [physical occupation site].
iv. Is there a distinction between Occupy the Courts and Move to Amend? Move to Amend is a movement around that specific subject, and is using Occupy name.
b. Concerns (“I like/dislike it because…”)
i. No concerns
c. Resolutions: Consensus reached, proposal passed.
Proposal 2: Wrap up GAs at 4:30
a. Questions/Clarifications
i. How will time be reallocated to meet this time frame? /End times and discussion lengths will be set, organic to each GA.
ii. Can the agenda be structured accordingly during facilitation meeting? /Agenda is set, doesn’t change much, just proposals change. /POI: Food Not Bombs starts at 4pm on Sundays, so some will leave.
iii. The idea is that working groups come prepared with proposals so proposals are not hashed out in the GA but come in ready to go through consensus process.
b. Concerns (“I like/dislike it because…”) Vibe Check: Positive. No concerns.
C. Resolution: Consensed/Passed
Proposal 3: Endorse Occupy Congress, which is looking for support and solidarity
Description: Movement has endorsements from multiple Occupy Movements already
Discussion/clarification:
a. a.) Questions/Clarifications
i. What are you asking congress to do? /To listen.
ii. Who is that specifically, since congress is a lot of people. /The plan is to take to the halls of the house and have conversations with all the representatives.
iii. Are you planning on going? /Yes, 15th through the 20th.
iv. Is it a good idea, if passed, that part of endorsement is to send reps to Rehberg and Baucus’ office, that we endorse this as well?
v. Has Occupy come up with a distilled message to convey? /No because our job is to provide the time and place to allow people to bring their ideas. Generally those interested have expressed they are against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act-censorship of the internet), NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), and corporate personhood.
vi. Does Occupy Congress go as a single unit, addressing all members, or is there room for OM to go with its own concerns? /Goal is to facilitate access with reps and allow a conversation. Occupy movements can enable someone to go and represent a group’s views.
vii. Take away citizenship, incarceration possible./SOPA could mean incarceration for any copywrite law infringement, e.g. singing songs out loud could technically break the law.
viii. Can Brandon finish the list started-meaning are that any other large items? /Local issues as well, but those named before are the main ones.
b. b.) Concerns
i. If they go and have the opportunity to speak, and they are there as Occupy, we should agree on a set of issues that they can speak on. Gain a consensus of what items we agree on that should be addressed. /POI: Many of the Occupations have been putting together a document that states their concerns so that those concerns are brought by the Occupy the Congress reps.
ii. Compile list, with vibe checks to confirm, so we have a coherent message? Yes- Consensed Topics of Concern: Move to Amend, Campaign Finance (Remove Corporate Money from Elections), SOPA, NDAA, Expansion of the Tar Sands/Anti Keystone XL, No More Oil Subsidies, Control Wall Street, Tax the Rich, Separation of Powers, Control War Profiteering/End War, Protect Food ,Water, & Environment from Corporate Interests, & Opposition to Coal Export.
POI/Suggestion: Include Schweitzer in correspondence
iii. Will communications group then put together a communication for this? /Timely matter, therefore communications group should be authorized to write and send it to the Occupy Congress group. /We are putting our trust in Brandon and the other Occupations to present the message.
c.) Resolution: Passed, Consensus.
Proposal 4: Make it a part of process that until someone has attended at least one prior GA, that person cannot block a proposal brought by a working group.
a) Questions:
i. Amendment: You can’t block if you haven’t been to a recent General Assembly, because somebody who was at an early GA may show up just to interrupt the process.
ii. Are there any other GAs that are using this model? /Not that we are aware.
iii. How many times have blocking concerns come up? /A few, at least one.
b) Concerns
i. We don’t want to isolate people to feel they can’t speak up if they have a deep moral reason. /We are more than happy to hear concerns, address concerns, and hopefully alleviate those concerns, but those who have not participated just can’t block an action.
ii. Friendly amendment: Similar to neighborhood council meetings, encourages participation, must have attended another Occupy Missoula GA within last 30 days. /Would require keeping attendance, or use an honor system on behalf of the participants.
iii. Instead of disallowing, just state that if the block is not set aside the issue must be tabled for the next week. /That is what is happening currently. However, if there is an imminent decision to be made that does effectively stop it form happening. If a person chooses to, they may step aside, however if they do not step aside then the decision must be tabled and returned to the working group. /Proactively trying to prevent the “Tyranny of the Minority.”
iv. Friendly amendment is not addressed to a place where it resolves the issue at hand.
v. Maybe this is not the right time and place, propose we table it for now. Lots of complications, like how to treat those people who participate in Forums, workgroups, etc, yet might not attend a GA.
vi. Suggestion: Go back to the original proposal & drop the 30 day amendment?
vii. Word it that “unless they have attended a recent GA or been otherwise actively involved?”
c) Resolution: Proposal to table it for further work in Consensus & Facilitation work groups/vibe check, yes. Tabled.
----------------------- Break 3:45 -----------------------------------
Return from break. Discussion of how to wrap up meeting by 4:30. -- Covered times/dates/places of next meetings first, before going on to other proposal. --
Proposal 5: Propose we take down the green tent as soon as possible.
Description: Green tent is very old and fragile, 66 years old, observed that the fabric is rotting, and a storm can damage it beyond repair. Thus, it is reasonable to take it down while it is relatively dry for future use. Also, encampment as an Occupy action is not sustainable. OM has not supported those staying there well enough. Third, we put it up together, it is our duty to take it down and not make the county do it for us.
d. a.) Questions:
i. Tent was never structurally put up correctly. Dangerous and needs to come down.
ii. This is about the green tent only, not about the other tents or those staying there? /Yes. If someone wanted to make a friendly amendment beyond that they can, and not sure how positive the presence is there but this is about the tent. Occupy has not really been occupying down there, not very active there, but green tent.
iii. Tent in the gazebo taken down too? /That is outside the proposal as it stands. We can keep our information in the Gazebo at this time, as of December 16th.
iv. If the tent comes down, what will go in its place? /POI: Tent is not sustainable, but some people want to keep it up one more night, and then tomorrow restructure it to make it safer. Supposedly 10 people who will stay there. Tent is a billboard and a form of free speech. Let the county take it down. Legal work going on around that.
v. Legality: Resolution states it’s not ok, but that it is not a law, correct? /Legal right is to stay there, so they cannot take it down without a state ordinance. Many lawyers are working on this right now. At this point, if they take the tent we have legal recourse.
vi. How many people in this consensus group do not think that the people staying on the courthouse lawn is a direct action? [not applicable-proposal applies to green tent only]
vii. Not just about the tent, but the signs as well? And specific day and time to do it? /No time like today, but no not a specific time. County will even take down the tent on our direction. Yes all the signs as well except those around the gazebo.
viii. Why should the county take it down instead of us (in terms of just leaving it up and not giving them authorization)? /They have no grounds.
ix. POP: 4:22pm, adjournment at 4:30? Extend to 4:45.
x. After we have the facts can we take a vote on the issue? /No not the process. Will take concerns, then try to come to consensus.
e. b.) Concerns: Take 3 concerns for, three concerns against the proposal
i. For: In favor of taking it down. Not safe. Falling apart, some think it can be fixed but as someone who helped sew it, not so sure that is possible.
ii. Against: Believe it is a direct action, and thus we need to maintain it. If it is in that bad of shape, do what it takes to fix it up.
iii. For: The ACLU has all the documents. One person is in there alone. If we take it down, it is ours, however, if they take it down and store it can be taken as evidence.
iv. Neutral: Issue is not just the tent. Not for against the tent, need to clarify the real issues, and if this is a direct action and symbol do we lose our power if we take it down?
v. Against: the encampment work group wants to keep the tent, empower them to do so. It’s a legal matter, wait and see what the legal people come up with. /We have discussed ending the camp in the past, but never just removing the tent.
vi. For: Safety is the main issue. How would an injury hurt Occupy? Where is the responsibility? Besides bad press in the community. Point of contention we do not need.
Vibe check: can we pass this proposal? General vibe-Unlikely. Any more concerns and should we continue to discuss this proposal? Yes
vii. Devil’s advocate: what happens if this proposal doesn’t pass? The tent stays up. What then? What is the legal representation? Tent was originally put up to help protect those staying on the lawn. If it is taken from us, we have people on the lawn without shelter. What is our obligation to the individuals on the courthouse lawn? /The county is responsible if they take the tent, not us. It’s a resolution not an ordinance.
viii. Will work on it to make the tent safe.
ix. The houseless people camping by the gazebo are not in the big green tent or using the amenities.
x. Leaving the big tent up and forcing confrontation will hurt the movement. A few people want confrontation. Not good to make enemies of the commissioners.
xi. Group must find a way to have a more activist arm while addressing Ethel’s concerns as well.
xii. If we are on the fence, we should take the best interests of the community into account.
xiii. By not passing this proposal, we in effect consense to leave the tent.
xiv. Two blocking concerns were expressed in leaving the tent with no decision today.
xv. Are we ready for this kind of confrontation? Consensus is a work in process, we are all trying to understand what is the best option all around. Whether we are ready or not doesn’t matter, it’s here. Will we ever make hard choice until we have to? We must choose to confront or choose not to.
xvi. The next storm rather than the county or the protesters will take it down. Who will take responsibility for that?
xvii. Standoff with resolution will be resolved in coming days. Allow the confrontation to pass and then take it down.
xviii. Amendment: set a date, e.g. we’ll take the big tent down on December 1st 2012. Otherwise, what is the end game? When will it be taken down? What is the goal? Why is it there?
xix. Good to look at the tent as its own direct action in a form, important. Not a lot of community support for this. All the time spent trying to figure this out could have been spent on something else.
xx. By not adopting this proposal, Laura must stay there another night. Otherwise if there is no one there it will be taken overnight. Some who would stay cannot due to health.
xxi. In every successful movement there have been two major factors that have diverged: a more activist and a more pacifist. One that holds the politicians’ feet to the fire, another that can have a conversation with the politicians once their feet are to the fire. Divest ourselves from the tent, give it to the encampment working group. Essentially become two groups. Or 2) Pick an end date, such as January 20th.
xxii. Stand with Ethel. Tent brings shame. Powerful movement forfeiting power over a shabby tent on the lawn. Have tolerance for ambiguity toward the future, but take down tent because it is a negative symbol.
xxiii. Why is the tent so vital to be there? /Keep the tent there to blatantly protest to county and the GA. Commissioners never came down to talk. They have not been friendly, not working with those protesters on the lawn. Not solving problems, just creating them. Tent is a protest to an unjust resolution.
xxiv. What is there intent and at what point will the encampment group feel that original intent is addressed? It’s a day by day process, tent could be locked up tonight for 6 months, won’t change the underlying problems of the community. We made things worse for them at this point, have a responsibility to fix that.
xxv. That property [courthouse] belongs to us.
xxvi. Missoula county and city is not going to solve homelessness. Neither is Occupy. Occupy is about attacking the underlying power structures to prevent future homelessness not symptomatic problems.
xxvii. New viewpoints from those who have not spoken much or are new to the process? 1. City government: us vs. them or us and them? Both sides working together. Do we want to get into a bluffing game with them or work for something real? Respond to their bluff? Is that the endgame? 2. Taking the tent down at this point,those who are supportive might see this as Occupy taking the high road and be more wiling to participate. 3. Interested in the idea that it is inevitable that one group will take a political stance and another is confrontational; that there is a natural tendency to break into these factions. Usually two separate groups with affinity arise. 4. Social work perspective: support for embracing the community and taking the high road (taking tent down). 5. In agreement to maintain a good relationship with the officials, but not in agreement to give in to them. 6. When the tent does come down, how can we bring the injustice of the encampment to light? (a press release did go out, on Thursday). Restated: how can we continue our dissent of the resolution and the issues on hand?
xxviii. The tent itself was intended to be a direct action and statement. Keep it to be a thorn in the side another day--Take it back for that use as the annoyance that it is, to make a statement. Figure out a date and a time to comply with the desires of the commissioners, but have it as a future direct action as needed.
xxix. Occupy Foreclosure can use it.
xxx. Smaller white tent might be more effective, easier to use for statements.
xxxi. Pick a date to take it down: on or before January 15 (Sunday). /No it could be taken before then; should take it down by Tuesday at 5pm. Supposed to snow on Wednesday. / On Martin Luther King Day.
c.) Resolution: Tent will be taken down on or before MLK Day. Passed.
IV. Other Business/Discussion points
1. Not Addressed.
V. Confirm date/time/place of next assemblies
Sunday: Union Hall 2pm
Tuesday: Forum, 5:30 pm, Downstairs lobby of the Library.
POI: Best to reserve the room on a weekly basis best, otherwise hit and miss. Library closes at 9pm on Tuesday. In the future, there is a proposal to try to get a regular large space to encourage community participation.
Friday , Occupy the Oval: (? School break- UC closed, members of OTO left meeting earlier)
VI. VI. Evaluation of Meeting
Comments: Getting to a place where we can come up with solutions, letting go of positions for the group to reach decisions. Good meeting and discussions. Now we can get on the issues. Clarifying deep issues, getting deeper into making this process work. Group process is maturing. Sad to see empty seats by the time we get to conclusion, but we have to make the process work and glad to see things moving ahead. Student of the process, heard some concerns about the process today and want to make sure that the concerns about process are heard and are taken into account and considered. Still a lot of room for growth, but be sure to let those working it on it know if there are concerns about the processes. Process is fascinating and inspiring. Appreciative of the compassion, frustrating at times but good so see people discussing through it, issues that affect people and important, glad we took the time. Thanks for facilitating, has seen smaller groups turn in fights. Thankful for all who have hung in there for months, looking forward to moving forward. Thanks to facilitator & stack team, saw lots of back and forth, because everyone gave everyone else the space to speak. Happy it turned out this way and think it will do us good in the long run. /Possible to achieve largely through attrition-for efficiency’s sake it may be necessary to adopt the 90% model. With more people would be even harder to get to where we did. /Mechanism needed to avoid the duplication-repeated things, but we got through the first proposals by the process relatively quickly./Kudos to facilitation team, but will need relief at some point. Heavy involvement in consensus groups in past, this group has a long way to go and we need to get on it quickly because we have some large issues to address/thanks for op to participate and observe/great to see process/very difficult subject matter, need to keep in mind that this decision was won by attrition, we need to respect those ideas as we go forward/feeling close to history being changed/kudos to all those who have hung in there, process in process/group needs to get better at understanding the process, not repeating ourselves, and not speaking out of turn.
VII. Adjournment 5:56pm.
Continuation of Other Discussion (None)
