99% Spring Action Training

[Mireille]

Direct non-violent action training event organized by moveon.org civic action to take place all around the country and hosted by interested individual groups and organizations

From the 99% Spring FAQ page:

"What will the training include?

The training will provide an opportunity to bring our movement together so that we can equip ourselves with the skills we need to take direct action this spring. Right after we are trained, we will apply what we learned by taking action against the banking industry and Wall Street with actions all across the country. The training will focus on three key areas:

The economy. We will tell the story of our current economy: how we got here, who is responsible and what we can do about it. We will talk about what a new economic vision could look like that represents the values of the 99%.

Non-violent direct action. Knowing our movement history will help us tell the current story of the 99%. There is no better way to take action then by learning what social justice movements have done in the past. We have a rich history to draw from that can guide us as we take action this spring.

Take action. We'll learn how to take action by developing and preparing for tactics that will help build our movement's power. We will then use this information to take action on our own campaigns to win change."

More info here: civic.moveon.org/99training/faq.html

Venue has already been reserved:

*When: Saturday April 14th 1pm - 4pm.
*Where: West Melbourne Public Library
* Room Capacity = 100
* Need to provide refreshments (TBD)

Note: Room is reserved from 12-5 pm. Event is 3 hours. Leaves 1 hour to set up and one hour to clean up.

TO DO:
Someone needs to register to host here: civic.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=268 ** (03/03/12 DONE!)

[evanne]

civic.moveon.org/event/99spring/127941

[Mireille]

Official name for any flyers/invites:

The 99% Spring: Occupy Un-Conference (?)

Sign up to attend at above link. Event information here:
civic.moveon.org/event/events/attendees/index.html?event_id=127941&id=-19869828-4Vrquex

[evanne]

I had to pick a name. I can change it if people object.

[Mireille]

The name is great, I was just asking for promo purposes. I would just add The 99% Spring in front to tie it to that event.

The 99% Spring Occupy Un-Conference...

[Mireille]

Discussion and actionable items from GA 03/24/2012 minutes regarding this topic:

99% Spring Training Event:
Temp Check: Should the group move forward with 99% spring training and possibly develop own material regardless of current training status with Moveon.org?
YES/PASSED

Discussion:
Have 3 sections – economy, history of activism, how to get involved – roughly one hour each to include question and answer portion, discussion, etc.

James to develop outline/training material for history portion; Evanne to ask hubby to lend relevant textbook and essay/report on Black Power activism.

Gary L. to develop economy portion with help from others. Chris from ACLU suggested a source knowledgeable about subject to provide info/training to the team, William Black. (sent this link via email www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04032009/watch.html)

Evanne to develop future activism portion along the lines of “be the change you want to see in the world”

Evanne, James, Gary L. to do a practice run before event.

Evanne will contact attendees who agreed to volunteer via email to see how they can help.

Event should be filmed. Jessica will contact friend in Orlando who has equipment. (update: friend not available per Jessica 03/25)

Food:
Calculate for about 30 people, expandable to 50.
Pitas and Hummus dip - Jessica to make, figure out costs
Lisa to donate funds for food + current $10 in group petty cash being held by Evanne.
Mireille to provide water bottles.


Read more: www.occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gamin&action=display&thread=179#ixzz1qCE4Shiw [/color]

Trainers: you can post in this thread to ask for help with training content research or to ask for opinions, etc.

[James]

Who's got what started? I have started an outline, and plan on focusing on The IWW, U.S. Civil Rights, and Global Justice Movement with some sprinklings of Ghandi.

[Mireille]

Yes, loving it. Definitely gotta have Ghandi...anything about Black Power/Black Panthers? Is that in the Civil Rights section?

You can post outline if you want help or just opinions...possibly bossy ones...(I know, I am traumatized now).

[Mireille]

I was just in the 99% spring training host prep call, 03/29/12 (about 70 minutes), and it was quite informative. These are some of the notes I took:

Current stats:
1,500 people trained during weekend
900 training sessions planned
10,000 people signed up for training
300 participants in this call

3 - hour training for 50 people of less, requires facilitators to show video and pause for activities
7 - hour training for very large groups, more interactive, more trainer involvement.

Broke out into pairs to share 99% story and why we want to take action - spoke to John in Connecticut who is a community organizer and concerned about the future for his children.

Broke out into 3 hour session hosts:
3 Hour training:
3 hour training involves showing a video and doing breakout/interactive sessions. Recommended for 50 people or less.

Format: show video > pause > facilitate group discussion > continue video > pause > facilitate group discussion (REPEAT)

Agenda:
We are the 99%—We will have the opportunity to share our stories with one another about what motivates us and why we are organizing and taking action for the 99%.

What Happened to Our Economy?—We will explore how our economy was dismantled by the 1% and create a vision for a new economy.

Practice Nonviolent Direct Action—We will learn new skills and strategies for practicing nonviolent direct action. Plan an action with the group. Action planning tool kits available on host page (see after your event at civic.moveon.org/99training/index.html)

* Presentation materials/package with video for above will be available April 4th through your host/event page.

Logistics
a) need ability to show video
b) make sure you have enough seating
c) need table for information/materials
d) need to print out participant guides and hand outs/organize packets
e) coordinate refreshments (if necessary)
f) paper, writing materials

Recruitment
- Rule of halfs - reach out to double the capacity of your venue (50%/half will not show up).
- Reach out those who signed up and indicated they will make calls or help with the event
- Call/email people who signed up and remind to attend; ask them to un-register if they know they are not going in order to provide more space for others.

Next calls for 3 hour hosts:
Tues April 3rd 9 pm ET - review training video
Tues April 10th 9 pm ET - final host prep call

Questions: [e-mail]

See event host page for details
civic.moveon.org/99training/index.html

[James]

April 4th seems like pretty short notice. I think we should we prepare something to discuss around the video at least. I am glad that they finally seemed to have come through with the training. I hope the video isn't awful. I would like talk about things other than Occupy...

[James]

Also: ROUGH DRAFT OUTLINE: docs.google.com/document/d/1eChS6-GROWrxFFjdaU6KhEw0FuhMF2L7ZGhT97CVihQ/edit

[Mireille]

It is definitely is short notice in my view, but they seem to present that in the 3 hour session you don't even need a formal trainer - just someone to play a video and lead the break outs or activities, which may be dependent/personalized by the interests of the group - their personal stories and concerns, what kinds of actions they are interested in, etc.

I think we need to see the video both individually and together to see how much room there is to personalize it and interject our own discussions. For those who were already researching and putting together an outline, that information can be used to supplement the video. Everything that we planned to discuss in absence of the video will still be relevant. You can each still lead the different appropriate sections.

We'll have 9 days after the video is available to figure it out and tighten up the presentation, so we should use this next week to nail down other things like venue logistics, food and that kind of stuff. I only peeked into the room at the library quickly so I should figure out what is there and what they can provide. Maybe we can do a dry run at the library the week before at a time when everyone will be available.

James, I like your outline, I'm def. interested. Would you have been able to talk about all that in just 30-45 minutes? Seems like a lot. Maybe the video will talk about some of these things and you will be able to expand and add to it. I can't see why not, especially some of the topics regarding workers/wage since there were a few worker rights/union groups that helped to put together the training material.

[Mireille]

99% Spring 3 hr training host call on 04/03/12 - 9 pm.

1,000 trainings scheduled
20,000 people signed up
1/2 of the trainings are 3 hours

3 skills for the training are important:
- story telling
- time management
- group facilitation/role play

host guide located at civic.moveon.org/99training/index.html

For the 3 hour training, the agenda is mostly the video and you pause to facilitate/role play

TO DO:
1) Download video for 3 hour training
2) Download trainer notes
3) Download participant guide

Divided into 3 sections:
Section 1 - All about the 99% - telling the story of the 99%, break up into groups, say why you are here, what motivates you to take action

Value of storytelling - allows you to connect with people along common values and see how we are all connected to the 99% - struggles, challenges, etc.

Tell a single story that exemplifies 99% values, not your whole life story

Section 2 - learning about our history, non-violent direct action.
Role play, practice non-violent skills

Section 3 - planning a direct action and role play. Practice our spring action.

Areas that may cause delay:

Introductions - if a lot of people break into groups or pairs to tell their 99% story.

Plan room layout properly for brain storming and break out discussions so that there isn't a lot of time wasted setting up to break out into groups.

-------------------

Participant guide and draft trainer notes now available at host guide link above.

Do we want to do a press release? It was suggested. If so, see the media guide at the above link as well.

[Mireille]

99% SPRING TRAINING VIDEO SUMMARY – about 55 minutes
Half-day training video can be downloaded/seen here: civic.moveon.org/99training/presentation.htm

Introduction
Why are we are here;
The choice is in our hands;
Storytelling

PAUSE 10:40

Storytelling Exercise - 30 minutes
Break into 4
Choose timekeeper
Write your story – 5 mins (use participant guide)
Share it with the group – 20 mins
Identify shared experiences – 5 mins
Optional - Take a picture with your story and post it to 99spring.tumblr.com/submit

Come together; play video

PAUSE 12:40

The story of us Exercise – 10 minutes
Write story of us, as a group, together. Answer the following:
We are ______________________________
We are struggling with _________________
We want a different future where _________

Notes: To save time and simplify things we can:
1) In the first exercise, instead of having the whole group break into smaller groups of 4, we can have then all write their story and just have 4 volunteers tell theirs.
2) Take out the second exercise altogether and do our own material, for example Gary can speak about the downfall of the economy for 10 mins.

13:00 The Power of Non-violent Direct Action
A short history of American non-violent direct action

PAUSE 30:20

Debrief Exercise – 10 mins
1)What choices did the 1% make? Who specifically
2)What choices did the 99% make? Who specifically
3)What lessons can we learn for our own actions

Notes: We can skip the above exercise and James can add to the history of non-violent direct action for 10 mins

30:30 Practicing Non-violence

32:05 Hassle line exercise example to show the escalation of emotions and anger between two groups on opposing sides and their reactions/interactions.

PAUSE 34:10

Hassle Line Role Play Exercise (ask for 6 volunteers) - 2 minutes
1) Stand in two lines facing each other
2) One side is protesters
3) One side is bank managers
4) Role play one minute/switch roles

Notes: Set aside six chairs in front for volunteers to briefly sit down in between exercises.

Next, practice cooling things down and making choices; Bank manager role, start from a high heat place, upset, angry, annoyed - REACTING; activists, try to lower the heat to avoid anyone getting hurt,etc – MAKING CHOICES.

PAUSE 36:05

Cooling It Down and Debrief Role Play – 5 minutes
1) One side of the line will be protesters
2) One side bank managers
3) Role play for a minute/switch
4) When done, debrief for 3 mins
- How did it feel?
- What worked?
- What choices did you make?

39:20 Planning for Action

Guidelines for planning action
Vision – The world you imagine we could live in
Goal – The specific change you’re aiming for that will begin to make your vision real
Strategy – Theory about how to achieve your goal
Tactics – Pieces of your plan

Example: Rosa Parks was not a random event; it was a planned action executed by a trained activist
Vision – Civil Rights for all
Goal – Desegregate the Montgomery Buses
Strategy – Montgomery Improvement Association had 2 elements to their strategy
1) Dramatize the reality of segregation (Rosa Parks)
2) Apply economic pressure to Montgomery Bus System
Tactics – 1 day mass boycott; escalated and sustained to a year until the bus system desegregated (people power).


PAUSE 46:45

Local Actions Exercise – 2 minutes
If anyone in your group is already working on a local campaign, take time to briefly explain it to others

Notes: If there are no volunteers, have something already in mind for an OMF action to share with the group.

Continue play

If not, use home foreclosures as an example. Goal – end unjust foreclosures and get bank to negotiate with homeowners.

PAUSE 49:00

Action Planning Exercise – 20 minutes
1) If group is over 15 people, break into smaller groups
2) What’s the goal
3) Who’s the target
4) Use the tactic star in your guide to pick your tactic
5) What’s your location
6) Plan needed roles

Continue play
Role play an action

PAUSE 50:00

Action Role Play and Debrief – 20 minutes
1) Decide which action plan to role play as a big group if you have planned more than one campaign.
2) Imagine what your role play will look like; assign roles; don’t forget to include non-activist roles
3) Get into character and role play action – 20 mins
4) Discuss how it went as a group – 5 mins

50:45 99% Spring 6 Weeks of Action (slide)
Suggested coordinating teams:
Action – will take lead in identifying or creating actions
Recruitment and Outreach – will reach out to people to recruit them into 99% Spring
Media – will create materials and reach out to traditional and social media
Resources – will find meeting spaces, get food donated, help raise money, etc.

51:28 Plan your action (slide)
1) Identify two people to coordinate your group as you move into action
2) Identify individuals to take lead responsibility for specific roles
3) Make sure everyone signs up for something and provides contact info
4) Set a time for the group’s coordinators to have a phone call or meeting IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS

Notes: We can explain concept of working groups in occupy and invite all to bring their actions to GA and participate in making it happen with OMF through GA and appropriate working groups.

52:00 Closing
This spring there will be non-violent direct actions targeting the 1 % including major corporations such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Sallie Mae, Verizon and Wal-Mart; Register your action.

To find or register actions near you go to actions.the99spring.com.

Notes: Thinking Evanne could facilitate all the exercises in the training, particularly the last section of planning, role playing and executing direct actions plus talk about how OMF fits in. Gary and James could do a presentation on their respective topics - economy and NVDA (10 mins each) in the appropriate sections above.

I plan to print out the participant guide (I can put a cover with OMF info since they left it plain; it is not really branded) and create a general agenda to hand out. Also, will make a sign in sheet with the names of the people who are signed up and room for extras. I am also making two copies of the video on DVD, one to show, the other for backup. What else?

What's up with food/snacks? I am bringing water and I can bring some extra utensils, small plates I have left over from a party. We need napkins.

Thoughts?

[Jessica]

I am making hummus and buying some raw veggies to dip. I bought tahini and oil already, if anyone would like to add to the fund it would be greatly appreciated I cannot afford to feed 50 people alone. I do remember Evanne mentioning $10 in a jar somewhere.

[Mireille]

Jessica, how much do you need? You were going to price it out. I would make it 60. That's how many we have registered now, not including the trainers and hosts.

Someone upted the meeting capacity to 150 because MoveOn tells to double the capacity expecting half won't show, but we definitely should not do that. 75 people would just be too chaotic in that library room, we'll be busting at the seams an would make things hard to manage. I had to bring the limit down to 100 again. With the limit at 100, if half don't show up, we should get 50, which is already a lot. As it is, with 60 signed up, if 30 just show up, that's more than enough.