11-14-2011 GA Minutes

[Solus Hospes]

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Occupy Melbourne 11-14-11 GA Minutes

"Occupy Melbourne Florida’s (OMF) sixth General Assembly met successfully, with nineteen people in attendance, on November 14th at 7pm at the Sun Shoppe and Cafe in downtown Melbourne. Announced and approved at the meeting were plans to gather with signs before the Commissioners meeting on November 15th; On the 17th Occupy Melbourne will host a 'We are the 99%' event at the Fire House on Palm Bay Road, time to be decided by vote which ends at noon on the 15th. On Black Friday, November 24th there are plans for a March from the Melbourne Square mall into Down Town Melbourne in support of Local Business for our holiday shopping. A press release is on it's way and some issues being discussed for future event focuses include Big Bank Crimes, Department of Children and Families policies and regulations, and Support for a Citizens Grand Jury."

Date: 11-14-11
Time: 7pm-9:15pm
Location: The Sun Shoppe Café (540 E New Haven –aka 192- in Downtown Melbourne, FL)
Facilitator: Mandy
Attendance: 19

Introduction to the GA:
(Review of the GA process -see hand out, select minute takers and moderators)
Minute Takers: 3 (Mandy, Remmy and Shan)-THANK YOU!
Moderators: 2 (Dave and Richard)-THANK YOU!
Stack Mod: 1 (Gary)-THANK YOU!

General Announcements [7:05pm-7:26pm]
Question – Is the Thursday event (on the 17th) taking place of the Friday Peace Corner event?

• No, two different events. Peace Corner is a sign waving event every Friday from 4pm till dark on the corner of New Haven(192) and Evans-Hollywood. We do our best to post event invites each week on the facebook group page and fan page.
  
• Thursday the 17th is a MoveOn coordinated Event which we agreed to join in (by doing our own event on the same day in support of improving our Schools, Bridges, Public Service facilities, etc) and we decided we will be featuring our event at the Fire House on Palm Bay Road, more details when we get to Work Group Updates.
  

“Occupy Yourself-Change the world” at Ron Van Dyke’s personal residence

• 7PM-9PM Every Wednesday
  
• For more info E-mail: [e-mail]
  

Joe Pishgar is looking for support to get on the ballet to run for Brevard County Commissioner in District 3 as an Occupy Candidate.

• o additional information can be found at www.pishforcommish.com
  
• Occupy supports individuals (like Joe Pishgar) taking a stand to make positive change in their communities but does not back a any candidates directly because Occupy itself is a leaderless movement for we are each, individually, leaders by the choices we make. EVERYONE is encouraged to let their voices be heard and VOTE!
  

“Capitalism’s final days” – Handouts left for us on the table.
Special guest from MIMS Greg Pettengill offered to serve as a point of contact for MIMS


Local Occupy Updates:

• Occupy Orlando offered a press release on the 13th reporting an incident involving non-protesters in an altercation just outside the Orlando 24/7 occupation site in which the Occupiers stepped in to aid the injured person, alert authorities and provide witness statements in solidarity of Peace and non-violence. (www.occupyorlando.org)
  
• Occupy Space Coast (OSC) is continuing their Sign Waves on the corner of 520 and Courteney every Saturday at 10am.
  
• OSC is also holding their General Assembly Tuesday the 15th at Cafe Unique & Unique Creations Designs (607 Florida Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922) starting at 6pm till 9pm and all are welcome!
  

Working Group Reports/Updates:
Direct Action:Created a thread to host all current projects in one location (occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=directaction&action=display&thread=84) including:

• Commissioner Meeting on the 15th--Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=311680228845040
  
• We are the 99% Event on the 17th 2144 Palm Bay Road Fire Station--A poll to determine a time frame (: occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=omflgeneral&thread=98 ) the poll will close at noon on the 15th and the winning vote will be the time of the event.
  
• A black Friday March into down Town on the 25th which could blend into a test of a 24/7 occupation site. --This is still being worked on, to contribute, please see our message board thread: occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=directaction&action=display&thread=89
  

Legal:Answering questions as they arise and asking questions that may arise in the future for events and occupation.

• Reaching out to the lawyer for clarification on some ordinances and crime definitions, reaching out to other occupy groups for generator guidelines (alternate power option offered by DA work group in the mean time), putting together “camp/occupation” guidelines to verify they meet with sanitation and health regulations. Could use more volunteers to help obtain this information.
  
• Contacted the local PD to see about a liaison and was offered the Sergeant who is head of Special Events planning. To help streamline, (for the time being) Mandy Elliott is serving as the point of contact for the PD in return.
  
• Supplied copies of cases to Issues Work Group for the “Petition Attorney General to sue the banks” thread which we found out our AG fired the lawyers investigating the banks for foreclosure fraud and so there is a petition to have her investigated for that decision.
  
• Opened a thread for Loan Modification Escrow proposal to research legalities, sent to laywer for review, awaiting response.
  
• “Marbury vs Madison” and Bond vs The U.S. says no contract can supersede the Constitution was brought up by an attendee and a new thread will be added to the message board legal work group to research it and provide information to The People.
  

Materials:

• Working on getting together an “Event Kit” to include basic needs as posted on the work group “What we need/What we have” thread on the message board-- link: occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mats&action=display&thread=22
  
• We need donations. Donations can be brought to the GA meetings or any event for collection by the Materials Facilitator Mandy Elliott.
  

Media:Working on a Press Release, also:

• The new facilitator (Remmy Ar’emen) is setting up an OccupyMelbourneFl Photobucket account so all members of the media team and upload pictures. A template for picture file names is in the works and a thread will be posted shortly in the media team work group.
  
• PR note: Facilitators of the work groups will be the point of contact (POC) for the Press/Media to contact if they have further questions. See web updates for details on that
  

PeaceKeepers:Working on guidelines for events for peacekeepers to keep in mind and use as a check-list to ensure appropriate participation as a peacekeeper at an event.

• Need Volunteers!!!
  

Web:Web group has been working on things through the website the forum and facebook.

• The Forum is the best way to collectively communicate with the group aside from the GA which we only do once a week.
  
• Working on a Calendar to feature events on the website.
  
• New “Peoples Blog” for blogging and articles from The People of Occupy Melbourne on the website.
  
• New GA guides and proposal form now available on the website under “general Assembly”
  
• Linking work-group sub-boards on the message board to the “Work Groups” section of the website so anyone can see what’s being done at any time.
  
• Additionally, we are working on making group e-mails which will be available on the website to the public and will forward any messages to the group facilitators as POCs of each working group pertaining to the announcements in the press releases.
  

Old Business [7:26pm-7:36pm]
Old Proposals:

1. Tabled last meeting: “Have the next sign wave on the corner of Minton and Palm Bay Road.”
Proposal in the box, so we can wait for that.

2. Tabled last meeting: “Move the GA from a business to a public space like a park or just outside”
This has been discussed in the message boards and it was suggested that a second GA be offered instead. Proposal in the box to this effect withdrawn pending requested voting and discussion on the message boards: occupymelbournefl.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=omflgeneral&action=display&thread=53

3. Tabled last meeting: “We prohibit political signs at our events, i.e. endorsing one or more candidates. In addition, we prohibit signs from any other organization that is not keeping with the spirit of the occupy movement.”
Discussions and voting have been ongoing on the message board and the group is split. There is another proposal in the box addressing this so more details below

New Business [7:36pm-8:40pm]
Proposal: ““Mic Check” Event for the commissioner meeting on the 15th passed last GA, new proposal asks for no mic check but questions and concerns voiced instead in accordance with the commissioner meeting conduct guidelines. ”
Concerns: Tomorrow morning at 8am. Go to speak concerns about the proposals. It’s not worth the trouble to make a lot of noise that is strictly monitored in the courthouses etc. “People shouting when there is an open forum to speak is more or less a waste of time” Evanne pointed out “Save the firepower for an event we can actually use it”
Consensus: PASSED- Sign Wave from 8am to 8:30am when speakers can sign up to speak after Consent Agenda. Commissioner meeting starts at 9am.

Proposal: “Develop a working circle of representatives from the 3 Occupy groups in the Brevard County Community.”
Concerns: Getting Facilitators together to coordinate events and resources. Looking for our “Outreach” group to speak to the same people in other groups to help bring them together during events. Need volunteers for this group!!!
Consensus: PASSED- Once we get volunteers for our “Outreach” group those individuals will work with the contacts of Occupy Space Coast and Occupy Brevard to help coordinate our efforts and make a bigger impact in our community.

Proposal: “A test run event on Saturday the 19th between noon and dark at the corner of Minton and Palm Bay Road.”
Concerns: “Was it brought up in a GA? Who decided the time?” (It was brought up in the last few GA’s and tabled both times for not being definitive enough in the proposal of date and time. It was then brought to discussion on the message board and various times were proposed. Noon-till dark was selected for the opportunity for more people to arrange time during their lunch hours for working folk and into the evening for the possibility of more exposure and more people able to make it.The 19th was chosen as a test date to see if future events at this corner were plausible.) We shouldn’t divide our selves it will diminish strength.(We tried to do windows of opportunity didn’t work for us) Same people to come to the same event, the numbers haven’t increased. (Two points of why we do events like the peace corner; one is to inform the public that there is a group of people that are serious about the information. The second to grow ourselves.)
Consensus: NOT PASSED- because of comments made (above), the facilitator called for additional question for consensus:
Additional Consensus PASSED-to keep this topic tabled until we have at least 200 people showing up to the peace corner events

Proposal: “Not to have political signs for specific people unless voted on by the GA”
Concerns:

• “We have no control over the public sidewalks, to make an amendment to tell people they can’t brings signs is like telling people they can’t wear blue shirts on Friday because it ‘means something’”
  
• “You can’t technically censor people’s signs, but maybe we can do things more tactfully. Such as offering them a different sign to hold.”
  
• "There is a way to be able to handle this in an orderly Democratic process. You would form a working group for this issue. That group would be responsible to the larger group to discuss it and to come up with proposals on how to handle this situation”
  
• "Richard made a good point about people being able to hold signs in public places. A suggestion would be to simply suggest or encourage people to focus on signs that aim more toward the movement but not actually ban any political signs. If you do bring a political sign you’re taking away from the big message.”
  
• "Maybe what we can do is work with the other group and come up to an agreement at the site as it comes up.”
  
• "A lot of people have good reasons on why to stop this. Even though people come in with quirky ideas we should still work with them and make them feel welcome as part of the 99%”
  
• "Who was at the sign wave this past Friday? 4 in the group tonight. It was unanimous at the sign wave that no one wanted to stand with the Ron Paul people because it sends mixed messages.”
  
• "We should just ask those wanting to support a specific political party/person to simply carry a sign more general and supportive of the movement as a whole”
  
• “We want to get out earlier (before dark) for safety reasons”
  
• "Your candidate regardless of who he is, is better served to be supported outside the Occupy group. It’s not the Obama movement, not the Ron Paul Movement… etc, they’re better served with a message unity. IE not trying to mix the support for Occupy with the support of Ron Paul.”
  
• "It’s important to remember what we’re here for. We’re wasting a lot of time with individual agenda’s. We’re looking for what’s best for the group.”
  
• “You could put the messages of Ron Paul (for example) without actually putting his name on the sign”
  
• “There will be info posted on the Facebook page on suggestions for great signs so people can utilize those as ideas and options.”
  
• “Side note, you can go into furniture stores etc, to ask if they have spare boxes which are great for signs.” – we will post on the message board of these suggestions for sites.

Consensus: NOT PASSED- because of comments made (above), the facilitator called for additional question for consensus:
Additional Consensus PASSED-to just ASK all of our members to respect that this is a group of people with varied political beliefs and please keep signs to the messages the Movement is voicing. (There is no one "enforcing" this, it's more like a public notice of the groups desire to keep the messages consistent and not confusing to the average passer-by.)

Proposal: “Do we want to do a Mic Check at a Wells Fargo”Just a proposal, do we want to or don’t we. After we decide then DA will work out the details.
Concerns:

• “What is a mic check?” A mic check is where a group of people show up with information (fact sheets). One person is the speaker, they will speak in section a few words at a time and the group then repeats what they say so the masses passing by can hear the information being shared. (Did a mock Mic Check to show as an example)
  
• The Direct Action team with the Education Team (when we get volunteers!) will get together to put the “Fact Sheets” together so there will be information and sources so it’s not just random info put out there.
  
• “OWS has a lot of focus on aiming movements on the 20 largest banks. “
  
• “Maybe this isn’t the platform because we need to have our information correct and accountable.”
  
• “As we have these proposals they may be random or not but how do we decide if we want to pass or not? We need some sort of information, something to judge it against. Facts to form a basis off of.”
  
• “We lose impact if we just show up at a location with no real predetermined message. The point of the Mic Check is simply like advertising. We want to go with one message [or related messages] so that we’re so loud none cannot hear us.”

Consensus: TABLED – pending facts (DA team will work on it)

Proposal: ““March on Nov 25th the Black Friday event” this is to promote local businesses through a march from the Mel Square Mall (stop at banks to get cash) to Downtown Melbourne. End with a People’s Mic to Downtown”
Concerns:

• “How far is that?” it’s about 4 miles, transportation will be provided to get people back to their cars.
  
• “The longer it takes us to make the march the longer the more people get to see our signs”
  
• “Would it also not be useful to have mic checks in the malls and around those big box stores?” Yes we encourage people to participate with the big box stores and in the line then as the march starts they can announce themselves as not wanting to wait in line just to support big businesses and instead to spend their money where it will go into the community (local shops).
  
• “Open Mic to support people shopping with different stores. We shouldn’t split groups though.”
  
• “Check any ordinances that could be violated at the mall it’s private property.”- We are and won’t ask anyone to do anything illegal.
  
• “You should do what’s comfortable for you. Join in whenever you can along the march.”
  
• “Great positive energy on this proposal it was nice to see.”

Consensus: PASSED- Details will be worked out on the message board Direct Action work group.


Recess [15 min]

New Business cont. [8:55pm-9:15pm]
No Proposals (new or previously tabled) to bring for consensus

Final Announcements

• “It’s important for us to grow. Each of us should ask 2 people to join us for our next GA on November 21st at 7pm same place, and ensure at least one shows up.
  
• “Educate about DCF”-We’re posting it to the DA to discuss the rules and information to get a proposal together.
  
• “When you register your first child (birth certificate) you’re giving them (government) the rights to your child.”-we’d like resources
  
• “17 year old who’s abused, DCF said it’s not up to them to defend teens. They believe they can defend themselves.”-We’d like to get more information on DCF regulations.
  
• “DCF came and took a supporter’s kids over false reports and gave them to the father who hasn’t been there at all. No investigation no real research was done. It puts the mother and the kids in a bad situation. Children should be allowed to stay with those who actually take care of them. DCF should do more research and investigations before making decisions.”- We’d like to get more information on similar cases to gauge the magnitude of this issue in our community. Seek solutions.
  
• A man at the OOO said during the bus boycotts MLK told people to dress nicely because people in suits have power and authority. So this is us encouraging people to start dressing nicely or dress up to give a stronger impact to those looking in on us.
  
• The Brevard County Occupy Groups should think about putting together a Citizens Grand Jury because they have the power to (issue indictments on Public officials who do not hold to their sworn statements of office duties to our Constitution and laws.)
  
• Thank the Host!
  
• Clean-up after ourselves.
  
• Meeting Adjourned at 9:15pm and floor opened for discussion without mediation. Minute takers had to leave.

(edit 09/21/12: update to clarify apparent confusion; Joe Pishgar is not an Occupy Candidate because Occupy is a leaderless movement that supports each individual making their own choices.)

[rwparkinson]

Again, many thanks for assembling the GA minutes. I used the content to help format the 111116 PR. These are a critical component of the movement. It's not a glamorous job, but super-important. Thanks again.

[Solus Hospes]

You're welcome. Thank you for the appreciation. I'm glad to have the ability to contribute. My personal thanks to those who helped take the minutes at the meetings. It really does help to have two people doing it as sometimes you can't keep up that fast and miss small details that are important.