GA Notes, Sunday, September 9, 2012

A Publication of the OSC Media Group

Inspirational minute, a quote from Bernie Sanders.  Second inspirational minute, reading of the Mission Statement from Occupy Santa Cruz.

http://occupysantacruz.org/statements/mission-statement/

Working Group Reports

1.  Foreclosure working group:  Grand Jury Complaint to be filed regarding County Assessor’s office.  Request for the complaint to be posted somewhere so that all can read it.

2.  S17 WG:  Announced connections for rides or housing can still be sought for San Francisco Human Be-In and Occupy The Banks! direct actions.

http://humanbein.org/

http://occupyactionsf.org/

Agenda

1.  Challenge to the group:  What are we doing here?  Open question.

2.  Report back/open discussion on Friday Tent Vigil at City Hall and march around downtown

Appreciations to folks who performed necessary tasks and spoke at the event.  Criticisms: feeling event was over-managed.  Asking for transparency around decision-making.  ”How can activists work better together?”  Expression of need for open process, all who wish to participate in the planning hash out their ideas and then come to consensus, and then implement the ideas as they were agreed upon.  Expression of feeling of success, “It was awesome!”  Emphasis that this was first step of a campaign, had open time for speakers, and showed who is willing to show up within the community.  Mostly activists and homeless sharing “from the heart.”  Question, “how do we get the townies with us?”  Emphasizing this the largest action in past 9 months.  Offer many different ways to make change, some confront, some include, some nag.  Soft power changes culture.  Wish to promote kindness and caring amongst ourselves as we come together.  Coalition-building tricks: use student organizations at local colleges to capture younger energy–creating clubs with sponsors on campuses.  December 1, Cabrillo College Conference, a mash-up of the housed, the caring, the business community, and the houseless: needing help to get the houseless there to that “5 hour meeting.”  Energized!

Follow up:  Wednesdays, 6PM, Courthouse steps.  Direct Action General Assembly New Compassion Campaign

Announcements

1.  Foreclosure Summit in San Jose.  Sept. 15, 1-4 PM at the Rainbow Church.  go to www.peacemovies.com for info

2.  This Tuesday’s City Council schedule to include:

• 3 PM City Council Meeting, consent calendar item: appropriations for security guards
• 5 PM Oral Communications: two minutes for any member of the public to speak on any issue
• 7 PM Dakota Wizards Boondoggle

3.  Wednesday OSC Direct Action GA 6 PM Courthouse steps

Less formal process… homeless campaign continues…