Organizing Calls and Meeting Notes

NOW DC Notes April 8, 2012

Ellen Davidson, backend, Margaret Walsh, volunteers, Kate Holmes Occupy Bmore, Direct Action and Promotion, Susan Harmon, Oakland, Public Banking Institute, CODE PINK, Bernadene Zennie, OWS, Steve Chrismer, NOW DC, Philly area,  Roya from Occupy Denver, Jill Occupy Longmont, Boulder, Denver, Margaret Flowers, OWDC/October2011, Ian OWS coming back to DC on 19^th, Bob Ballard, OWDC/October2011, Kasha and James, Occupy Asheville, Kevin Zeese OWDC/October2011, Paul Zeitz, NOW DC Social Forum, Jamala, Occupy Philly, Occupy DOJ, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo Occupy EPA, Eileen, Occupy Congress, Kristin Occupy Key West, Deb from Occupy  Florida.

Logistics: Have permit from Franklin Sq., started out on March 3 with four tents, tables, chairs, porta-pottines, but having trouble with security throughout the night; took stuff down and have been focusing on Social Forum.  We have St. Stephens available but need a volunteer to check people in.  Bernadene brought up an offer from Occupy DC on whether we want to share space with them at IPS funded by SEIU.  Took a temperature check 9 opposed, 3 support.  Marsha did not vote, wants more information.  To learn about SEIU read articles by Steve Early.  Roya since we end at the end of the month, don’t see need for office space, anyone interested should look into it for their project but not for NOW DC.  Ian , it might still be useful to understand more about the relationship between SEIU and Occupy DC because it is a very problematic union.  We can work in alliance with SEIU and keep our independence.  There are definitely rank and file and locals for SEIU that are more radical than their leaders and who would agree with us. Also noted that it was a few current and past SEIU workers who kept Occupy DC and Freedom Plaza divided and have caused disruptions of Freedom Plaza.  Kate asks – do we need office space?  No one said we need office space. Marsha asks whether April is a kick-off or an end, will more actions be planned.  Also, we miss having a focal point as we had when Freedom Plaza was more effective. KZ and Roya say this is a one month event, and then plan next steps. Bernadene let this rest and see where we feel at the end of April.  Ian – nobody owns the brand or language, those that want to step back will do so and it will grow with those who have the energy.

Education: Control the Corporation conference was excellent, 250 people, solid content.  Left hand side of website has links to live streams.  Social Forum strong content, engage people, low turnout.  Workshops scheduled for 90 minutes tended to go on for 2 hours.  Social Forum this week is Tuesday to Friday, there have been changes.  Need to figure out how to get the word out better.  One session is livestreamed during each time period of workshops and is on the website, left hand side.  Luther Place, Friday night April 13^th from 7 to 9 PM is a session on 99% Deficit Reduction Proposal.  Wednesday night April 11^th, movie night, labor movies.

Roya is using Social Forum model for Occupy Denver.  She will be holding monthly workshops.  First one planned for April 15^th already have 10 people signed up.

Ian impressed by the depth of conversation from both presenters and audience, very high quality.  Suggests we have evaluation forms.  Roya will send Paul an evaluation form she used.

KZ reports American Conservative, Think Progress and urged others to write about sessions they attend. 

Kasha hoping some of the organizers from NOW DC can help organize a July 4 event in Philadelphia.

Deb asked about principles workship. Bernadene had a great workshop, very engaged and knowledgeable.  Bernadene was the only 12-stepper, others gave input from outside of the 12-step tradition but brought the occupy perspective.  She will post and people can use it as they want to.

Arts and Music: Because of the low turnout, lack of volunteers and conflicts with the Earth Day actions of Occupy DC decided to cancel OccuFest. 

Promotion: Bernadene/Kate handling FB, Eileen/Bernadene work on twitter. Occupy Washington Post need to be distributed. Need to promote evening activities for movie night Wednesday and Friday, Deficit Panel. Eileen is still tweeting.

Direct Action: Ian focused on April 24^th criminal justice DOJ action. There are other events listed on the calendar realling starting on April 16^th with SOA action.  Jamalla working with Occupy DOJ action – there is a lot of organizing, five events taking place in DC next week, expanding the scope and maybe the physical march of the event.  This week doing a workshop on Tuesday at Social Forum, Wednesday screening of Justice On Trial, Thursday, Howard University Conference, and also on 13^th a Bus Boys and Poets event, Morgan State screening also happening. Tuesday the 10^th, meeting at Plymouth Congregational Church, 6 PM for local organizers.  Marsha thanks everyone for Occupy EPA success, also will be a Social Forum talking about whistle blowing and thinking about a follow-up action and would welcome suggestions.  In May planning an event, tribunal on the abuse of whistle blowers.  Jamala asked about getting peacekeeper training and Ellen explained 20 people would be needed for such a training, www.OccupytheJusticeDepartment.com is the website, sign the petition on the site.

Peacekeeping: Helpful having peacekeepers at the Monday conference. Had training on Saturday, 7 hours, went well.   If there are activities where peace keepers are needed please let Steve know.

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Notes April 1 Meeting

On call Margaret, Kevin, Eileen, Bob, Jason, Dean, Walda, Sherri, Roya, Kristin, Bernadene,

Margaret reviewed what happened in initial days.  This included the march to EPA for Occupy EPA. About 250 people attended the event. About 60 people attended the first GA. 18 people in the GA tonight.

Decided at tonight’s GA’s to hold 3 GA’s a week, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.  Next GA Wednesday at 7 PM.

Margaret brought up concern about the tents, tables and chairs having people monitoring them over night.  Do we need to keep them?  Should we keep them there?

Marsha overview for Occupy EPA.  Thanks. Postive, 250 people, good energy, good speakers.  Her critique – too many speakers, but that was part of the buy-in process.  4-5 good newspaper articles already, expect a few more. Shook up the administration.  

Promoting the OccupFest, Eileen reports that the OccuFest will be tweeted out.  Tweets are out there, being tweeted all over the world, including in DC.  Promotion with signs, fliers, preferably hire occupiers. Would also like to see Occupy album coming out.  New FB page, not a concert venue page, Occufest but an event page, http://www.facebook.com/events/338275392897842/.

NOW DC Notes

March 28, 2012

Margaret reviews signals for stack, twitter etc.

Intros:  Kevin Zeese, NOW DC, OccupyWashington,DC/October2011, Eileen Occupy Congress, NOW DC, Margaret Walsh, volunteer coordination NOW DC, Viveck, Occupy Philly, Marsha Occupy EPA, Dean, Occupy Lakeshore, Scott Occupy DC/WDC webteam NOW DC, Kate Holmes Occupy Bmore, NOW DC, Bernadene OWS, OWDC and NOW DC logistics etc., Steve Philadelph, Peacekeepers and Social Forum, Kathering, Occupy the Lake Shore, MI, Beau OWS, Occupy Susah, Occupy EPA, Joe, Occupy EPA, Sherri Pennsylvania Outreach NOW DC, Bob OWDC, NOW DC, Music Committee, Chris Occupy Key West, Paul NOW DC Social Forum, Lawrence Organizer with Black Farmers

Working Groups

Finance – Transfering WePay to fiscal sponsor, AFGJ starting to get donations. How to send a check, will put that on the website. We will have a secured lock box at Franklin for donations. We will record cash daily and record expenditures daily. Should we publish how much money in and going out. Currently have two people on the committee, looking to add a third person.  No opposition to suggestion that major financial decisions be made by organizing committee on weekly calls, not the GA.  GA make-up is always changing and will not have enough history or overall understanding of the event to make financial decisions but their input will be sought and issues discussed at GA’s.

Facilitation – Beau will facilitate first meeting, Beau happy to train facilitators, help coordinate facilitators. Beau is me@misterhan.com  First GA will be Saturday at noon.  Agenda:

1.       Ask for agenda items

2.       Introductions of individuals and their occupy

3.       How Frequently GA’s and other meetings.

4.       Overview of where things are in DC, e.g alphabetical order of streets, orientation and other housekeeping.

5.       Call for more volunteers.

6.       Overview of schedule and then for each meeting after that what is going on that day and next. 

7.       Announcements.

8.       Use GA’s to discuss their experiences, ideas, where we want to go, try to come out of the month with some concrete goals.

Logistics – Need people to work with St. Stephens, make sure rules are followed.  Tarak and Ellen will get schedule on way into town.
Margaret Walsh suggests information board at the same place with regular
CWA likely to take care of portajohns, tents, tables and chairs.  Information table, likely have staff there.
Bernadene had has conversations re food and is confident that food will show up.
Should we have a small amount of water for people at the medic tent at least, Susan will provide 5 gallon containers, Bernadene will provide dispenser
printed materials- Margaret will provide to CWA, volunteer sheets, info on DC, signs with principles, social forum information,  Occupy Washington, DC.  Have a place for NOW DC materials and place for “other” info.  We will also have educational fliers during actions.

Education – Paul reports schedule nearly final, working with Ellen and Tarak to finish layout for Occupied Washington Post. 75 workshops confirmed.  Need volunteers.  Need promotion.  We could use more live streamers and video folks for the Social Forum. We should have donation jars, pass hat to raise money. Have three major educational events Social Forum, Control the Corporations and Direct Action Training.

Promotion – Eileen reports that Occupy Congress is getting the word out to their members (5,000 plus), 2 people posting onto FB pages, twittering like mad. Email Eileen with ideas for twitter – eileenmaxwell94@yahoo.com.  People on twitter should re-tweet. KZ and MF report PSA’s and radio shows. KZ reports sending out on FB.  Noam Chomsky promotion has been tweeted out regularly.
Bernadene Interview RTV – 30 minutes on Cross Talk, Occupy book author and National Review. Put Franklin Sq. on the home page so people know where we will be meeting etc. Kate krmk8@comcast.net with things we want promoted.  Eileen, will have a livestreamer coming at noon on Friday.

Direct Action – Kate Occupy Federal Reserve Action, Center for Economic and Social Justice, Women’s march may be little partisan, say they are non-partisan. Wants to see us push direct action group at first GA.  Sharon Black from Bmore will be urging a Cuban 5 Action, http://www.thecuban5.org/who_are_thecuban5.html. Bernadene suggests Direct Action be made into a direct action, wear a sign.  We will have flash sleep-ins. EPA has announced to their employees that we are coming, more security, color codes, they are nervous.  We are planning an opening ceremony, putting crosses for deaths from enviro pollution.  I Matter youth who are suing EPA and other agencies over things harmful to children, working with James Hansen, have a hearing on Monday in DC because Nat’l Ass’n of Manufactures and have two people who want to speak at our event. Call tomorrow night to go through step-by-step.

Peace keeping – Steve reports had call last night; now number 15, hope to get more at first GA at least 5 more or double.  Non-violence scheduled on Saturday 2 to 7 at the Josephine Butler Center. Steve will be getting green visits.  We will be using walkie-talkies for communication.  Need a lock box and place to store security stuff overnight. Peace keeping geared to Franklin Sq. Park, day and night, as well as direct actions we organize.
Transparency – preventing false rumors etc.

Arts and Music – OccuFest Oct 14-15, final meeting with Park Service Tuesday, met with sound and stage today will have cost tomorrow, schedule is full, still need to add speakers, reached out to Janelle at OccupyDC to add artists.  Encourage at GA people to do creative activities during OccuFest, performance arts, paint facing etc. Bernadene and Bob need more people for a performance event at OccuFest. 

Notes from March 25, 2012 Meeting

Keys to participate in discussion:
1 Stack
2 Twinkle up
3 Twinkle down
4 Clarifying question
5 Point of process

On call: Margaret Flowers, NOW DC facilitator, OWDC/October2011, Baltimore, Ellen Davidson runningbackboard, NYC and Woodstock, Kevin Zeese notes, OWDC/October2011, Baltimore, Paul Zeitz Maryland, Education working group, Social Forum, Margaret Walsh Poconos, coordinating volunteers, Dean Vanderstelt, Catherine Occupy the Lake Shore, MI, Scott Peddy, DC Occupation Web steam, MD, Joe Adams, Towson, MD, Kate Holmes, Occupy Baltimore, Direct Action Working Group, Dean Edwards, Occupy Oregon, Bernadene Zennie, OWS, OWDC, NOW DC, Deb Van Polen, Ashland, OR, OWDC, John Yakeveli, Steve Chrismer, Phiadelphia, Peacekeeping, Beau Han, OWS Occupy walker 1300 miles, Sherri Greencastle, PA Outreach, Ian Williams, OWS, Bob Ballard OWDC, Beverly Jones, Occupy Asheville, NW, Senior and Friends Group, Eileen Occupy Congress Promotion Working Group, Kris O, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Occupy EPA.

New Items: Dean, HR 347 Federal Restricted Grounds and Improvement Act – how did that get through without people seeing it. Bernadene – we’ve discussed it many times.  Maybe we should put something on the site about it. Ian – how does it affect the next month? Is there a document that describes legal implications.

Logistics issues brought up

Dean still need more specificity on times and where actions are occurring

Medic tent update

Committee Reports

Finance Committee: Bob reports fiscal sponsor paperwork fixed.  Checks made to individuals can be endorsed sent to fiscal sponsor AFGJ. There are other groups that will help with expenses so it looks brighter than it seems.  We are soliciting in-kind donations from organizations.  Credit card donations are made on-line to AFGJ directly.

Education: Paul Social Forum going forward, April 2 Control the Corporation conference.  NOW DC schedule is up now. 80 workshops scheduled.  A few openings.  Urge promotion group to promote educational events.  Volunteers are also needed. Margaret reports the Social Forum will be held at Friends Meeting of Washington.  We are meeting them Wednesday to review details.  We need volunteers to set-up, break-down, clean and live stream.  Steve asked about travel – has it been approved?  Yes. Margaret Walsh is prioritizing volunteers for the Social Forum. KZ suggests using registration request as a way to promote both the Social Forum and Control the Corporation.

Promotion: Eileen reports lots of twittering, Interoccupy, Occupy Congress, need to keep pushing out to all social mediums. Dean Occupy the Lakeshore has document for NOWDC document and posted it on web sites of all participants in Michigan summit. Can we promote through WPFW in DC?  

Logistics: Bernadene reports need volunteers in the park, to clean the park.  Will go over to park Thursday night and see if it needs cleaning. We have lots of sleeping space 600 spots at St. Stephens. Still looking for space in 1^st week in April.  Meeting with All Souls Church, very open to helping.  Food, still working on. Medics reaching out, nothing positive. Luther Place walking distance from Franklin – 8 nights for movie nights.  Will need volunteers to coordinate. Have movies will need coordination. KZ brought up DC Emancipation Day on April 16^th.  Continue to look for facilitators. Beau volunteers to facilitate and will also help re-formulate written materials.

Direct Action: Ian reports we are supporting a number of ongoing actions.  A lot of direct action planning is going to happen on the ground at NOW DC.  Training options re 99% Spring. KZ taked about Carrie doing a training on Franklin of the 99% spring.  Two trainings are being offered by Backbone Campaign and SOA Training. Kate added we decided we would not plan anything during Occufest, if anything happened it would happen organically through the GA on the ground.  Want to get a temperature check on the march on women’s rights on April 28th and the occupy the fed action – will send out info on the website so we can discuss on next call.  Cynthia wants to begin planning Occupy Congress. Ian will follow-up with her. Criminal injustice group April 6 march for Treyvon Martin. Occupy Faith forum on Easter weekend, one is on Good Friday, Way of Justice or Way of the Cross, April 7 Holy Saturday discussion, talk and direct action, engendering a change of heart in the 1%. Margaret mentioned other trainings for Occupy DOJ on April 24^th.   Marcia reports on Occupy EPA, great speakers including whistleblowers from various agencies, welcome representatives from other occupations and protests during the month. Go to OccupyEPA.com for details.

Peacekeeping: Steve reports there is now a Code of Conduct, was sent out to NOW DC for comment. Steve reads Code of Conduct:

NOW DC Agreement on Principles
 As a participant in NOW DC, I agree to the following principles and rules. I understand that certain behaviors such as theft, abusive behavior, inappropriate sexual advances, violence and drug or alcohol use will not be tolerated by the community and may result in immediate expulsion.
1. I will use my anger at injustice as a positive, nonviolent force for change.
2. I will not carry weapons of any kind.
3. I will not vandalize, destroy or steal property, and I will act nonviolently to stop such behavior when it is observed at NOW DC activities.
4. I will not use or carry alcohol or illegal drugs while participating in occupation activities.
5. I will respect quiet hours between 11 pm and 7 am and encourage others to do the same.
6. I will act in a respectful manner and will not insult or verbally attack others.
7. I will not assault, verbally or physically, or be abusive toward those who oppose or disagree with me or towards law enforcement agents.
8. I will conduct myself as a positive role model in a way that reflects positively on the movement.
9. I will take responsibility for maintaining these principles and will support the peacekeepers in their efforts to maintain peace in the community.

Need some type of communication device to allow peacekeepers to be able to communicate at a distance. Tarak need to know by Tuesday night whether we have enough people for the non-violent training.  We need 20, not there yet, have 11.  Community back-up is key to success of peacekeeping.  Everyone involved should be familiar with the principles. Scott has a couple of radios we can use, Margaret, let us know what type and we can supplement them. 

Arts and Music: Margaret reports OccuFest coming along well, April 14-15 in Malcolm X Park.  Today replaced George Martinez with Jasiri X, rest of schedule is on the website.  Please send speaker names to us as we are signing them up.  Also, encouraging arts that weekend and we need people for that. We want a creative atmosphere.  At 3 PM the Malcolm X drum circle begins.  Promotion is needed.  Still need a logo.  Occupy EPA also looking for performers for March 30^th.  Jerry will bring drummers to Occupy EPA.

Next call

Wednesday, 9:30 PM

We will continue to hold calls during April to discuss NOW DC.  These will be open to people participating in NOW DC.

Notes  March 21, 2012 Telephone Call

Margaret goes over hand signals

Introductions  Scott, Maryland, Occupy DC and Occupy WDC, webmaster NOW DC, Bob Ballard, OWDC, Margaret Walsh improved Medicare for All, volunteer coordinating, Dean Vanderselt, Occupy the Lake Shore, MI, Sherry Morgan, Pennsylvania, Outreach NOW DC, Ward Reilly, Vets for Peace, Occupy Baton Rouge, OWDC, Marsha Coleman-Adabayo, Occupy EPA, Kate Holmes, Occupy Baltimore, NOW DC Direct Action Working Group, CJ Occupy Jackson, MS, Occupy Politics PAC, Daniel Hendricks, Montgomery College, Kay Occupy Philly, Roya, Occupy Denver, NOW DC education, Ellen Davidson, OWDC, NYC, Veterans Peace Team, Tarak Woodstock, NY, NYC, Vets for Peace, Veterans Peace Team, Margaret Flowers, OWDC, Kevin OWDC, Paul Zeitz NOW DC Social Forum, Eileen Occupy Congress,

Media Talking Points: KZ describes draft talking points, has sent them to the NOW DC list for comment. Deleted sentence on how NOW DC began as unnecessary.

Principles: Deb describes principles from the traditions working group.  Please review them and incorporate them into your actions in Occupy.  It is a good way to get groups in greater solidarity.  Margaret suggests posting the principles but being clear this is not endorsed by NOW DC but just something people to think about and consider as ways to keep the group working together.

Working group report

Finance: Bob reports not much change since last call.  Have created a link to AFGJ for donors.
Marsha received two checks for Occupy EPA $500, $150 for Polar Bear puppet, once check made out to Marsha and one to Margaret Flowers. Margaret suggests signing check over to AFGJ/NOW DC and indicate to AFGJ what they are for. Further discussion after the call.
Donate button more prominent. Margaret sending out email blast tomorrow.

Education: Paul reports will have schedule up by Friday at the latest.  Need volunteers to help coordinate social forum, set-up and break down the event.  Wants to also talk to promotion group about using Social Forum to help promote NOW DC. Hopes to have more live streaming of the forum.
KZ describes the Control the Corporation event, http://nowdc.org/content/control-corporation,

Logistics: met with Park Service today re Franklin Sq. Park, seek to set up four tents in the center of the park info, media, teach-ins and health.  Bernadene working on food.  Luther Pl. possible for food and movie nights.

Direct Action: Kate reported on update including Occupy Ft. Meade for Bradley Manning’s motions. And National Day of Action against the attacks on women.
KZ clarified the Occupy Ft. Meade.  Manning hearing goes April 24th to 26^th.  25^th will be main day at Ft. Meade.  Bradley Manning Support Network working to get buses to take us to Ft. Meade. 24^th Manning will be part of Occupy DOJ.
Marsha Discussed Occupy EPA, Helen Caldicott, Ralph Nader, Noam Chomsky video to promote it.  Black farmers coming in from Alabama.  Marsha urges all to join in and use this event to announce other direct actions. Will have alpaca’s at the demo, as well as props at the event.

Arts and Music: Margaret reports Music for Occupy with a very strong team. Meridian Hill April 14^th and 15^th, first hour will be an opportunity for occupations to talk to the crowd.  We have musicians from the Occupy Album coming out.  Will start promoting musicians by end of the week.

Peacekeepers: Steve finalized there rules of conduct will send those out for comment. Need more volunteers for peacekeepers, making progress, but need more.  Training looks good as long as if we have enough volunteers 2 to 7 on Saturday.
Tarak need 40-50, minimum of 25 for the training by March 30^th.  Reviews principals verbally.  We want the community to be empowered to back-up the community all the time.  Peacekeepers are not peace police, this is a community effort.
Dean suggests posting Code of Conduct in prominent places on the Plaza.
Temperature check: overwhelming support for not having people sign the rules of conduct.

Promotions: Eileen reports we were focused on DOJ tonight because of the Florida case. But we are tweeting aggressively.  We are using NOW_DC tweet account.  Contact Eileen or Bernadene if any questions, ideas.

Notes March 18, 2012 Call

1. Introductions (5 mins)
Margaret Flowers, facilitator, OccupyWDC/October2011, Ellen Davidson, backend OccupyWDC, Kevin Zeese note taker, OccupyWDC/October2011, Paul Zeitz NOW DC Social Forum, Education Working Group, Maryland, Ward Reilly, Baton Rouge, Vets for Peace, Dean vanderslt, Occupy the Lake Shore in Michigan, Scott Peny Occupy DC Maryland, Kate Holmes, Baltimore, Direct Aciton,  Dean Edwards, Occupy Oregon, Salem, OR, Bernadene Zennie, OWS and Occupy WDC, Jason, Occupy WS, Occupy Long Island, Steve Chrismer, OWDC, organizing peace keeping for NOW DC, Deb Arnoson, Occupy Ft. Meyer, Occupy Naples,  not at Occupy Charolotte, Roya Occupy Denver, Jill Kaper, Occupy Longmont, Occupy Denver on legal team, Sherri Morgan, Green temple, PA, Bob Ballard, OWDC, NOW DC Finance and Art and Music, Beverly Asheville, NC, Senior and Friends Working Group, Kasha, Committees of Correspondence, Occupy Asheville, Tarak, Vets for Peace,  Woodstock, NY, Ellen Davidson work with OWDC, NY and Woodstock.

2. Call for new items that don't fit in one of the categories below (2 mins)

Jill agenda item discussion re Federal Building and Grounds Improvement Act, increases arrest risk when person under Secret Service protection  even if you are unaware.

Bernadene suggests discussing it under direct action. No opposition

3. Media strategy (10 mins) Margaret opens for discussion

KZ, Bob, Bernadene, John Mulkins, Dean Vanderstelt, Ward Reilly, Roya and Kate Holmes will work on talking points  which will be circulated to the NOW DC list serve.

4. Printed materials for NOW DC (10 mins)

-          Margaret mentions Occupied Washington Post, urges people to submit articles.

Ellen and Tarak laying it out next weekend, need copy by next Friday sooner is better.

KZ suggests the centerfold as a guide, Tarak says need that early so it can be formatted.  Get it well before Friday.

Keep it pertinent to NOW DC. Margaret will get the companion actions to write something for the paper.

-          Occupied Congress had a great leaflet on logistics that was excellent. Would that be useful?

Eileen will check with Occupy Congress to see if we can get their model.  Dean suggests making it understandable to people coming to town. Ellen will do layout, Bernadene, Dean, Margaret.

We will check to see if we can get Metro maps.

5. Working group reports
Finance (5 mins)
Online donations $515 so far, working with AFGJ with a link on their page as well, waiting to hear on proposals we’ve submitted. Margaret mentions we are getting in-kind donations, Friends Meeting House is giving space for no charge, meeting with CWA tomorrow for in-kind donations.  

Outreach (5 mins)
Not much on outreach calls, more focused on promotion.  We have materials on the website. 25 occupations have now expressed solidarity, organizations and media outlets who are covering, Real News Network will be covering 

Education (5 mins)
Paul Zeitz reports NOW DC Social Forum really coming together nicely.  April 2^nd Controlling the Corporation conference (schedule online), three sessions a day from 3 to 5 at the Friend Meeting House 4 or 5 at a time.  Strong submissions.  Will get it done in time for newspaper deadline. 8 PM Eastern Monday have an education call. Forming a volunteer team to coordinate.  We may also have evening premier panels and movies. Actual schedule will be on the website by mid-week.  workshops@nowdc.org

Promotion (5 mins)
Eileen shared Occupy Congress promotion, with links back to the website, asking for solidarity, Occupy Congress is tweeting about NOW DC.  Send Eileen things you want tweeted.  promotion@nowdc.org

Bernadene – everyone can tweet about NOW DC, use #nowdc. 

Scott  NOW_DC was the official account, having multiple official accounts will be confusing, should really focus on one account.  Send Eileen the information.

KZ reports on article, it will be published on Truthdig tomorrow, tweet it, went through Occupy FB alphabetically and posted, we have lots of great stuff to promote and lots of ways to do it.

Bernadene suggests passing on the Happy Birthday OWS 6 month video.

Logistics (10 mins)

Very important group but not having weekly calls. Medical – Tara/Bernadene working with NNU on that for a medical clinic, will have medics at each direct action; legal we have contacts with NLG who provide legal observers, housing St. Stephens asks for $5 per night need to have someone check our people in, Bernadene is serving as RSVP person, Food arrangements have not yet been made, will ask CWA to support porta-potties. Justin from Oregon is reaching out for facilitators, needs help if anyone can provide it. Contact logistics@nowdcorg.

Direct Action  (5 mins)
Katy reports on meeting and the direct actions that are already planned. On April 20 is Occupy Kony, we could do an Occupy protest against empire/imperialism instead. Next call Thursday at 9 PM.

Roya will draft a statement on website urging people to bring costumes.
Discussion re Federal Building and Grounds Improvement Act, increases arrest risk when person under Secret Service protection  even if you are unaware. HR 347. 

Arts and Music (5 mins)

Margaret reports that Occufest on April 14-15, is coming together really well, great line-up, music, spoken word, a skit.

Jason really excited to be part of this, really awesome people are part of the line-up – socially conscious groups, Global Block Occupy check them out on FB), Matt Pless also very active with OWS. Jason producing Occupy this Album which was inspired by Pless.  Jill Soubel, headlining Saturday (I kissed a girl), the Bongos headlining on Sunday, trying to get Dar Williams as well.  Taz Weeks a very hot Reggae Band, and Junkyard Empire. 

Peacekeeping (5 mins)

Steve reports Code of Conduct being developed will be seeking comment. Training on non-violence for peace keepers on Saturday after the GA, Margaret getting a space beginning at 2 for 4 to 5 hours.   Need more numbers for volunteer peace keepers. Tarak urges people on this call to participate as peace keepers. Eight people on call agreed to take the training.

6. Next call/in-person meetings? (2 mins)

Next conference call on Wednesday  at 9 PM

Notes: NOW DC March 11, 2012

Participants: Steve Chrismer, Paul Zeitz, Bob Ballard, Glenn Moyer, Ian Williams, Bernadene Zennie, Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese

Agenda:

1.       Permits – Franklin Square Park allows up to 1,000 people without a permit. We submitted an application for a permit for the month so that other groups could not reserve the space. Also submitted a request for a permit for Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill) for the weekend of April 14 and 15 for the celebration weekend. Have a permit meeting on March 9^th. Margaret and Kevin put their names on the permit. Would others like to have their names on instead? No volunteers.

Concerns:

Bernadene – what are the restrictions/requirements?

Margaret/Kevin -Similar to permit for FP, asked for first amendment activities such as speeches, teach-ins, workshops, arts, music. Can ask for certain tents - medical, legal, information? Things like camping, sleeping and cooking not usually allowed. Will need a certain number of portapots and peacekeepers.

Bernadene - Wants to make sure that we have everything that is required so there are no hassles.

Ian – likes permit as a way to reserve the space.

2.       Website – met with Scott Petty who will take over as webmaster to work on the website, gave a list of things that are needed such as fixing the banner, adding a travel board, cleaning up the home page, making it so contacts can be downloaded, making a schedule for the social forum. Margaret, Paul and Bernadene update the website content. Margaret added items to the calendar and logistics page. Anyone who creates an account can blog.

Benadene – did not see items on calendar.

Margaret – will need to check it.

Kevin – McPherson brought up topic of having an administrator on the page. No other occupation has asked for this. McPherson not involved in working groups or planning meetings yet.

Margaret – response to McP was that if they get involved in the meetings and working groups, then that could be considered.

Discussion by group – decided to keep admin privileges limited to a minimum and allow many to have blog privileges. Does not make sense to give admin privileges out unless the person with privileges needs them and is trusted because websites are an easy target for attacks. Allow blogs to be uncensored unless a post is found to be offensive (violates mission and principles). Encourage people to blog – share thoughts and articles. Would be good to see more activity on website.

3.       Working Group Reports:

a.Finances – Bernadene and Bob on Finance, need a third person still. Plan to have WePay donations go directly to a personal account opened by Bernadene in her name because can’t get an account as NOW DC without incorporating and WePay no longer does debit cards. Checks will be processed through AFGJ which is non-profit, charges 7%.

Margaret – concerned about Bernadene’s liability with personal account.

Bob – will hang on to 20% for any taxes.

Ian – does it make sense to just use AFGJ because there would be no taxes and the 7% charge is less than 20% taxes?

Bob – will contact AFGJ and ask how that would work. Can they pay checks directly as needed to cover bills? How are taxes handled?

Margaret – how will decisions be made about how the money is spent?

Bernadene – can spend up to a certain amount, maybe $100 or $200 without needing approval. How much? Otherwise decisions made by group.

Kevin –suggests $200.

Margaret – can there be a budget so that there is a framework for making decisions?

Kevin – probably need $90,000 to fund this.

Margaret – Kevin has been reaching out to donors. What about other ways to raise funds?

Kevin – Indiegogo is a possibility.

Bob – has used Indiegogo. It is labor intensive. Don’t get the funds if you don’t make your goal.

Paul – could it be used to match funds donated by a large donor, say $20,000?

Kevin – or maybe a large donor would agree to make up the amount if we don’t reach our goal?

Margaret – moot point until we find someone willing to put the time into Indiegogo. Is there an advantage to using them or would it be better to have a person putting energy into getting donations on the website?

Bob – Indiegogo has a large database. Maybe a musician would be willing to put the Indiegogo on their website? Reach more people.

Ian – what about an application to the resource group in NY?

Kevin – may not have time for that process. Still very new.

Ian – willing to work on a proposal and try.

Group – twinkles on that idea!

b.Principles – Bernadene – principles group meeting online to shape something. May not be finished before March 30. This is a topic that many Occupys are exploring. Will lead a discussion on this during NOW DC Social Forum.

Paul – do you want to schedule multiple sessions on it?

Bernadene – wants to be flexible. If people want to have multiple sessions, we will find places to meet.

c.Logistics – this working group not meeting yet, but some things have been done. Posted information on website that people are responsible for their own accommodations. Camping likely not allowed in tents but people can sleep on city sidewalks. Bernadene – how does one find out which sidewalks are city? Kevin – not sure but in front of federal buildings are probably not city. Bernadene – wants to find out more from lawyer. Margaret – we can touch base with St. Stephens about space for sleeping.

Ian – can we list tasks that are logistical and prioritize?

Margaret – includes sleeping, food, portapots and showers, medical, legal, facilitation and first priority is space for social forum.

Bernadene – will start contacting churches for space for social forum tomorrow morning.

Margaret – will email list of churches that are close to each other to Bernadene. Made contact with Malachy about Friends Meeting and he will get back to me on Monday.

Paul – find out how many rooms, how many they hold and what they have – a white board? Some people are asking about powerpoint.

Kevin – let’s keep this low tech.

Paul – have we decided on the number of sessions each day for the social forum? 2 or 3.

Margaret – if we have 3, then people can attend more workshops.

Paul – do we agree on 3 - 90 minute workshops each day starting at 9 am, 11 am and 2 pm?

Group – yes.

Bernadene – do we know what time the first GA will be? It will be on Sat., March 31^st.

Margaret – Bill Moyer of Backbone Campaign is having a Doo-wop dance party on the 31^st. Don’t want to conflict. Bill is holding a direct action training the first weekend.

Ian – is there a charge for that?

Kevin – I think so.

Ian – what is the position on the American Spring direct action trainings? If they are free, should we promote them?

Bernadene – people are already writing to say that they are squeezed financially. Would be nice to make people aware of free resources.

Ian – VT Workers Center is doing this.

Kevin  -  do we know what the quality and goal of the trainings will be? The 99% Spring website is made under the MoveOn PAC so any names and contact information collected will go to their PAC.

Ian – will check into it.

Margaret – there are good direct action trainers in DC. Would like to reach out to them and see if they will give free workshops.

Group – approval.

Margaret – what about food? We will not have cooking facilities in the park. We can take donations of prepared food. We can reach out to a church and see if they will let us use their kitchen.

Bernadene – Food not Bombs contacted and said they would help. Will look for that email and follow up with them. Can we contact restaurants for donations?

Margaret – maybe Marjan would be willing to do that. I will ask her. Also need portapots. And will ask if CWA will allow use of their showers. Tara Yetter is organizing medics and NNU expressed interest in helping with medical.

Bernadene – I will contact them if you give me contact information.

Ian – what are you thinking?

Margaret – hoping for a medical tent and some hours of staffing.

Ian – street medics will probably volunteer for actions.

Margaret – what about legal? We need green hats.

Bernadene – I reached out to the NLG.

Kevin – I spoke to Ann Wilcox at the action today and she will help with legal observers (green hats).

Glenn – I would like to speak about the homeless working group. I see working with medical and peacekeeping. Will develop a 2 to 5 minute interview and assessment sheet so that when problems arise we can sort out if they are due to intoxication, mental illness  and find out if people are sent by city agencies.

Margaret – I can send you the mental health resource contacts that I have.

Bob – I will too. I have contacts in the city.

Kevin –we met with the health department and found them very helpful but the resources are limited.

Glenn – that is common. I would like to meet with them. I would like to train people to staff an information table so that we can help people find resources and would like to document what we find in order to develop a protocol for the movement. If there are not enough resources, maybe we can find a way to start meeting peoples’ needs.

Ian – likes that idea.

d.Education – Paul – the labor track is coming together nicely. It may be our strongest track.

Ian – what about workshops on skills?

Margaret – plan to have workshops on facilitation, livestreaming, media. Scott said he would be willing to meet with people and help them with technical skills.

Paul – perhaps people from working groups would be willing to teach their skills.

Ian – I can teach direct action. Can we have someone from Smartmeme?

Margaret – they did a teach-in on Freedom Plaza. I can reach out to them.

e.Arts and music – Margaret - Malcolm X Park is very nice. There is a place for a stage and a large area of lawn and sidewalk in front of it that can hold hundreds. There are stairs and fountains. Would be great to have all sorts of arts going on that day in the park. Someone contacted us about having a day of square dancing. She will organize the music and all. Do we support that?

Group – agrees.

Margaret – if someone contacts us and wants to set something up, can we support them  to take that initiative without bringing it to the whole group for consensus each time, if it is in line with the mission and principles?

Group – yes.

f.Peacekeeping – Steve – want to let you know that peacekeeping is on track. Tarak is great. Do you want to post the minutes from our meeting?

Margaret – yes. Please email them to me and I will post.

4.       Next meeting – Sunday calls from here on out.

Bernadene – can we make sure that there are point people on each call to give working group reports?

Margaret – yes. That’s a good idea.

Ian – maybe we can request a weekly check in on the listserve for each working group so that we know they are on track and can find out if they need help.

Bernadene – I can write that up.

Adjourned.

NOW DC Organizing Conference Call: Sunday, February 26, 2012

1.     Introductions (5 mins)

Margaret Flowers, Margaret Flowers, Dean Vanderstelt Occupy the LakeShore in MI, CJ Occupy Jackson, MS, Occupy Politics, Eileen Maxwell Occupy Congress and NOW DC, Margaret Walsh from Washington in the Poconos, Leslie from Dallas, Ward Reily, VFP Baton Rouge, LA, Deb Arnason Occupy Ft. Meyers, Naples, FL Charlotte, NC, Karl Occupy Tacoma, Kristen Occupy Kalamzoo, MI, Scott from Maryland Occupy DC and Rob from Freedom Plaza, Paul Zeitz Education Working Group NOW DC, Deborah from Occupy Tacoma, Kate from Baltimore, Morna McDermott Baltimore and Occupy Dept of Education in DC, Olivia from Occupy Philly, Jamila Occupy Philly and Occupy for Mumia, Bernadene Zennie, Occupy Washington, DC, Robert Anthony Cruz Occupy Redding, CA, Steve Crismer, Philly area, Peacekeeing group NOW DC, Robert Trotner from Pennsylvania, Occupy Eston, Coffee Party, Sheri Morgan from PA attended Oct 6 in Freedom Plaza, Jill Kopper Occupy Longmont, CO working group on Justice Reform, Roya from Occupy Denver, Ian from OWS, Bob Occupy Washington, DC, Tarak VFP, Vets Peaceteam, Mary Kate Occupy Boon, NC, Justin from Portland, OR, Brando Occupy Sarasota, Our American Spring, Kenneth from NJ, OWS and Freedom Plaza, Marjan from Washington, DC, Ellen Davidson tech on call lives in NY, Freedom Plaza, Viveck from Occupy Philadelphia

2.     Principles - Deb (10 mins) – Got an email from NOW DC about wanting this on the agenda.

12 Principles, she reads.  Deb would like to do a workshop on this if she can get to DC for NOW DC. This comes from AA 12 step programs. Promote solidarity, unity and to keep the group together and working toward their goals. Karl – thought they were great until heard they were 12-step program; likes the horizontal approach and mutual respect. Bernadene – it isn’t about deciding tonight, just sent Deb an email, Bernadene is doing a workshop on the 12-step program and how it can be used with Occupy. AA is the largest anarchist organization in the world. These do need to be tweaked to be used for Occupy, put them out and discuss via email. Deb explains has nothing to do with alcohol or drugs, just about keeping the group together and on track. Marna knew it was 12 steps right after heard the first one; agrees with Bernadene, crossed her mind 100 times how AA principles work well with Occupy. It is about organizing in a non-hierarchical fashion. Mary Kate has also been working on adapting the 12 steps to Occupy, wants to get in contact with others after this phone call.  Brando – send this to a working group to develop. Needs to go through working group and GA approval. Vivak – two questions, would like a copy, would like to know where info on largest anarchist org in world. Deborah from Tacoma – can we find out who wants to work on this. 12 steps worked well for a group made up many different types of people.  Bernadene – been a member of 12 step group for many years and it has no rules, no leaders.

Deb, Bernadene, Morna, Kristin, Deborah, Mary Kate, Ward, Roya, Viveck, Brando, Margaret

3.     Statement of political independence - Roya (5 mins) – Jill and Roya are working on a statement and will share it with NOW DC group and look for responses, edits etc. We need to do this early on in an election year to declare our independence. Last week in a Denver Occupy meeting there were a lot of twinkle ups but then found MoveOn, PDA and other Dem linked groups involved working on foreclosure. After discussion decided not to put these org names on our website. Helpful to take this up and bring to our GA’s and remind people we are independent of political parties. Karl – strongly supports NOW DC and affiliated occupy organizations maintaining polital independence as it has been the death of political movements to be co-opted by Dem Party, but that is a far cry from working in coalition with organizations affiliated with Dems, so long as we are clear who we are and that we will not be participating in political campaigns. Roya – by making the statement about independence it makes it easier to work with people on areas where we agree.

4.     Department of Justice action - Jamila (5 mins)  Re Occupy Department of Justice we are looking Tueday, April 24^th (Mumia’s birthday) on occupying to end mass incarceration, death penalty, release of political prisoners, release of Mumia.  People won a tremendous victory in getting Mumia released from death row but now he has the “long walk” of life imprisonment, so much evidence for a new trial. Excellent documentary, Broken on All Sides, about the prison industrial complex in Philly, Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow, we hope to build on the momentum of these.  Mumia called in to a conference this week, first time since end of death row.  Want to bring it to the largest stage, DOJ and Eric Holder, with the momentum of the Occupy Movement to demand authorities.  Want this to become an action, part of NOW DC. Brando – very interested wants to work with Jamila.  Lots of twinkles up on her proposal.  Margaret proposes sending it to direct action working group. Morna – wanted to bring in people from the school to prison pipeline into this.  Contact her directly. Roya – wanted to support this action strongly. This is a new slavery. Wants to be involved. Brando – how to work out on working group on that. Ian – sounds like an amazing action and would like to work on.  This is deeply entrenched and needs to change.

Jamila, Brando, Roya, Morna, Ellen collecting the rest. 7 signed up to work on it, Jamila excited, agrees with the comments. This is one of the largest human rights agenda issues of our time.

5.     Facilitation team - Justin (5 mins) – Last week we decided we need to develop GA and that we use the list serve to start generating questions re – what kind of meetings need facilitation, how large the groups, discuss process, has a few google documents that he has started and will put these questions out and we can collaborate on the google docs.  Bernadene – facilitation team will be needed for GA’s. We need to figure out what times. People want to know so we need to put on the website. Brando – for a facilitation team, the first GA would need to bring up topics and order of process.  This is a tough part of a first GA. Karl – wants Justin to have his email and we are gathering together people who are interested in NOW DC from the NW. Tarak – facilitators can make or break a GA.  Really essential to have well-trained facilitators working on this, trained, experienced and politically sophisticated. Justin – all good, agrees on the importance of this that is why we need to get a head start to have as smooth as possible a GA in DC.

6.      Working Group Report-backs:

a.     Outreach - Margaret (5 mins) – Had our first conference call on Friday evening, went well, Steve organized a letter to labor, Paul did one for organizations (sent to 150 orgs), 5-6 have expressed solidarity.  People working on colleges, faith-based groups and African American communities.  Want to create buttons if people want to design we can get them made.  Send a doodle poll for next meeting.  We are up to 19 occupations in solidarity with NOW DC.  Dean – would like a copy of letters that have sent out.  Margaret -- The three letters – occupations, labor and organizations are all on tool kit on NOWDC.org. Deborah – wondering if missing her email.  Karl has written a fabulous article for college papers.  Margaret – this is a great time to start writing articles about NOW DC and why you are going to raise awareness.  Sheri – asks about contact disability groups. Margaret – does anyone want to take that on. Sheri will take it on.  Karl travels a lot for work but also has some journalist skills so if you have an article you want written, if you need help get in touch with Karl to work on it with you as he is in hotels a lot.

b.    Education - Paul (5 mins) – Primarily focusing on the Social Forum which happens in three parts, April 2 to 5, Occupy Faith April 6 to 9, April 10 to 17 – on NOW DC website we have forms people can fill out.  Have about 20 so far.  Four or five tracks: policy and strategy for ending corpor. rule, lessons and the way forward for occupying public space, direct action strategies and tactics, models for alternative economic systems outside of corporate structure, relationship between occupy and labor.  We have some momentum but want people to join and get involved.  We will need help to pull together, Monday night at 8 PM Eastern time on website under meeting and events section.  Steve on labor track, is shaping up to be a strong one need to keep working on it. Bernadene – if you were going to put on the website the already proposed workshops that would be helpful.  Paul – yes want to put them up as soon as we can. Roya – where are we going to have these workshops.  Right now we are planning on Franklin Sq. Park off of K St. We are meeting with Occupy Faith to see if we can find church space.  Friends Meeting House is available. KZ asks about the possibility of large tents all on Franklin Sq. so we are together.  20 like the idea, 4 don’t.  Tarak – an additional proposal yes re tents but back-up indoor space. Paul – echoing Tarak’s point.  Looking for venue for each track, but loves the idea of the tents.  Keep talking see what develops. Mike – needs a projector and screen, doesn’t like the noise of the outside.
 

c.     Promotion - Eileen (5 mins) Credentialing – 13 people on the promotions working group, meeting on Thursday evenings via conference call, trying to get a radio station and have regular interviews and updates.  The donation widget starts at $25, can we lower it to $5.  Twitter widget would be good on home page.  Bernadene – has the NOW DC facebook page, with the capitol and ballerina, community, and we have the NOW DC website. That are the only two that are ours.  There are two twitter’s #NOW_DC, #NOW DC.  Deborah – would like to coordinate with Bernadene as FB is best way to reach colleges. Brando – trying to share all of this on his website as well. Kate – in terms of FB she checks it out a lot, goes there a lot. Can we clarify with a link to the website on the FB page. Karl – the donation widget should be moved to the top of the sidebar. Bernadene – when people ask for more info, monitors comments and sends people to NOW DC website, but will try to add link to the website.
 

Credentialing – KZ explains photographers asked to be credentialed. Sheri will that give them press protections from the police. KZ maybe. Eileen – not opposed to credentialing, how do you enforce it.  Each city has its own way of credentialing photographers and this put us in a position of favoring one over the other.  Deborah – good idea, especially if we have in writing that we can use their photos.  Bob – what would be the criteria? Encourages an us vs. them and other photographers/press would feel unfair. Brando – I’m going to be photographing but agree about not having credentialing. Deborah – maybe a different work than credentially, maybe something like photographic volunteer.

d.    Logistics - Bernadene (5 mins) – Bernadene on the website there is a lot of info about camping, hotels, hostels under “Travel and More” – will be calling legal advisors at NLG about sleeping on sidewalk and will share that info as well. Margaret – will be getting info from Park Service re tents, stage; also occupy faith to see if we can get church kitchens.  Occupy Congress nurse organizing health group/medics. Karl – on the website does not see travel and more – Margaret, blue bar on top toward the far right hand side. Karl -- Does not show up on Karl’s webpage. Kate – travel link is under recent posts on hers. Paul – on top right under statements. Mike – under statements. Eileen on hers, donate now on front page also.

e.     Direct Action - Ian (5 mins) – Scheduled a meeting on Wednesday at 9 PM Eastern time, did it almost unilaterally, but how do people feel about it.  Bernadene – not in favor of keeping it as scheduled. Send out a poll to find a better time. Brando – make sure a poll happens. Kate – Wed 9 works for her personally, OK with it staying for the first week, needs to get moving as we’re four weeks away, take a poll after the first meeting. Jamila – understands the need for unilateral decisions, but this is not a good time for her, wants to be present for a call as soon as possible. Ian feels bad being an advocate for dem structure and then making uniltaral decision. Will send out a poll but keep slot open. Roya – has an off-the-wall idea, maybe a direct action, Bush prosecution for war crimes petition.  We are not going to stop these wars and crimes unless people are held accountable.  We need to come up with something more than rallies, to get Bush on war crimes, maybe Obama will be more careful realizing the people are serious. Margaret suggests bring it to direct action working group. Morna – we’re trying to arrange for sleeping arrangements for Dept of Education occupation, booked St. Stephens Church for March 31^st to April 2^nd, wants to invite people to sleep on K St in solidarity.  Wants to share link from our site to their FB site.  Viveck agrees with concrete effort to hold Bush accountable. Compensation to Native Indians, something like free education for the next 50 years.
f.     Arts and Music - Kevin (5 mins) – KZ reports April 14^th and 15^th as peak days but wants to music throughout. Kenny Collins runs a music festival in NJ friend has a band, volunteered to play the event and help get some acts. Margaret – don’t forget the arts for that weekend.

g.    Peacekeeping - Steve (5 mins) – just stepped up to the plate.  Have a phone conference Tuesday night at 8 PM.  There were a few agenda items we talked about what is our role? How to we get training? What do we do re diversity of tactics?  Tarak – grateful you are taking this on, not an easy issue, we should begin this discussion as soon as possible but are unlikely to resolve in the next three weeks. Jill what is the thorny issue – Margaret the issue is diversity of tactics, how do peace keepers interface with them. Mary Kate – wants to be part of peacekeeping.

7.     If people are not on the NOW DC listserve, Ellen makes the list.

8.     Follow up and next meetings – Sunday March 4^th, in-person in DC. This weekend is Ocucpy AIPAC this week to protest war on Iran, meet afterwards at 2:30 at 5^th and K st. NW at Bus Boys and Poets. If you want to be part of that meeting but cannot be there in person send Skype address: info@NOWDC.org.  Mary Kate – is Freedom Plaza active.  Margaret – this is being organized by occupies around the country.  We meet each Sunday, sometimes in person.  Kate – question re google group. Margaret NOW-DC but will send invitations to everyone who put their hand up.  Bernadene – all of the email addresses online have people behind them as ways to contact people working on specific projects.

Additions to agenda

1. Leslie – re outreach what is the key week, or key day – info in minutes on website, key times first weekend, then week of April 10^th to 17^th. Bernadene – want people to come for first meeting, first GA Saturday the 31^st.
2. Bernadene – Credential photographers? Brando also wants to discuss
3. Karl – announcement today Occupy Tacoma closed down Occupation Park voluntarily.  A lot of interest in NOW DC.
4. Scott – announcement Wikileaks 5 million emails Global Intelligence Files

Organizing Conference Call: Monday, February 20, 2012

Introductions:
Maxwell… promotions
Leslie… dallas
Micheal … has access to the notes now
Ward Baton Rouge veteranspeace
Jenny Pensacola
Debbie… Ft. Myers, FL  (OCC FM FLA)
Annabelle… Silver spring, MD
Dean… Occupy Lakeshore
Deborah.. Tacoma  ..
Carl.. Tacoma
Scott, Southern MD
Paul
D van Poolen Ashland, OR

Roya Denver, endorsed Ft. Collins, Boulde

Set of principles:

1. I will use my anger at injustice as a positive, nonviolent force for change.

2. I will not carry weapons of any kind.

3. I will not vandalize, destroy or steal property.

4. I will maintain neatness of my personal belongings and cleanliness of my environment.

5. I will not use or carry alcohol or illegal drugs.

6. I will act in a respectful manner and I will not insult or attack others.

7. I will not assault, verbally or physically, those who oppose or disagree with me.

In Principles as ameliorator
Deb:  great... traditions for group

On agenda?  proper process?

To keep group on track, united

Wonderful, love

Traditions to promote solidarity, purpose

On call tonight, share on listserv

Self as autonomous unit
No control over others

Thank you for sharing that with us

Bernadene, go ahead

Proposal to adopt principles,
place on website

Everybody with autonomous
Suggestion as mode d’ etat
mode d’ emploi
occupy

General assemblies/ Actions

Thank you, redraft

Participation, 1 month Occupy

Discuss:  locality and expectation of
               participation expectation

Participation as minimal expectation

No enforcement

Month as eternity

John

8,9 10 oppose or disagree

Respect quiet

Protect self, call for help

As I am able

Volunteer in Plaza daily

Participation minimum difficulties

Assumption of education, racial inequality
Implementation of principles w/o education

Impossiblities

Micheal?

Six Occupy DC McPherson Plaza block

Express wish to block

Consent, Working in Working Group

Misinformation

Point of Process
Under name of Kevin Zeese
Reassigned to Stack

NOWDC

Patch cleanup
Solidarity
Oakland, CA

inappropriateness of venue to resolve
Occupy autonomo...division

Diversity of tactics

Strength of statement
Intention to remain Peaceful
Non-violence
Media spin, disadvantage of Occupy

1st Priority, Non-violence
despite establishment tendency toward
violence

Momentum forward

Port shutdown and police brutality
Soldier in uniform,VFP flag

Picture, endorse draft proposal

Open to learning

Twinkles

Eileen?
Support, Occupy McPherson Square
Thank you

Micheal, Point of Process

A:  McP Square consented/unconsented,
statement
for Occupy
Solidarity expression

Reading statement:

Solidarity statement

Stack

Justin
DC... objectivity
Disinclination to support
codes, principles

Culture of Exclusivity

Thank you, Justin

John, go ahead

Not origin Zeese
group VFP, non-violent principles

Drop Freedom Plaza
volunteer at FP, instead “at many locations”

Yes, on suggestion of removing specific
occupations

Clarification:  FP in principles not intention

Modification, Comment

Bob
Principles:  Unilaterality of Opposition

Agreement

#2, only vote for NOW DC w/ membership
of Occupy WG, not DC

Endorsing NOW DC

preragotive

“Good Principles”  MI
adoption of similar set


Community of Occupiers
Relationship to community

Tools for Solidarity, Trust


Direness
Outside of Parameter

Clarification, Non-violence and
self-defense

Explanation:
Freedom Plaza and disruption/
set of principles as remedy

Identification of “ “ via
violation of principles

GA, sense of call

hands down

Participation, press 2
w/o, press 3

Half,n, half

Q:  Set of principles, on website for
Guidelines, NOW DC

support, press 2,
no, press 3

67% in favor
10%...

21 v. 3
Bob
Discuss the principles
Change?

Set

First 7

Intentions, not rules
Unenforceability

Posting, as intentions


Bill Moyer of Backbone Campaign from WA
April, MD
Occupy soundtrack: Blue Moon, Occupy
Autonomous, collaboration invitation

Allies
Movement
*Student Debt Forgiveness
*Housing Activism

2 days training, 2 days action

March 31, Apr 1
Baltimore, DC

Tactics

Principle Reduction
Housing Icon (Underwater)
11 ft. ball n chain

song as action, Fannie, Freddie

Q, comments
support
twinkles

50,s sock hop

Americana

enjoyability of tactics

Deborah
Planning updates

Complementary actions

NOW DC post
restriction of details


Joint solidarity statement
Occupy WS

OCT 1
W DC
Oct 6

Opposition to FPlaza
Notoriety, Dem Opposition, Rep Opposition

Slander
Discussion
Point of Process
Joint GA, DC WDC Peace House

Concern, dismay

GA, understanding of solidarity incompleteness

Clarification
FP, support of NOW DC

… Ranier voted 11 . to . 0
Solidarity with NOW DC

Denise, Peace House, NOW DC

Debt

25,000$ given to Freedom Plaza by Kevin

SEIU, criticism of union, presidency

Point of Process
Joint GA, Freedom and McP

NOWDC topic, KEVIN/MARG

involvement, facillitation
conflict of interest

Thank you
Micheal

Comments
Ward, objection

Negative personal attack

Clarification

Dispute
Politics, opposition and politics
personal attack

Ignorance of local politics
Agreement

Thank you Carl

More comments

Independence of movements

Party independence
Cannot represent party

Lack of confidence/competence
serving downstairs, poverty/opulence

Proactivity

Stack

Witness

Organizer

NOW DC
physical world reality

Movement as fear in
powermongers

Federal agents, infiltrators

1. attack perceived leaders
2. finance, money
3. website, media
4. escalation of tactics

Intention of non-violence


SEIU, accusation of money
theft
Importance of movement

absurdity of charges

Definition, redefinition of vouch

GA, ‘joint’ GA as clarified
      ‘not joint’

Thank you

Refuting personal attack

website, publicity, allegation

Slander

Mt. Ranier, 11.to.0 support

John
In support Kevin

Organization, Focus
McPh v. FP comparison

NOW DC roots, national

nationality of movement
Temp. check
 

Financial

Bernad.
Notes
approved wG, 3 members
2 signatories on check, OK’d
by wGroup

Discussion
Committee for Nation/ DC
March April

Philadelphia
Signatories, DC

Thank you

Bernadene
proposal for 3 / 5
member

3 member finance, press 3
5 member finance, press 5

even
10, 3, 8, 5

Motion for committee of 4

Proposal for committee of 4
Twelve, 4
Four, no 4

To 4 or no to 4

Odd number, tie breaks
“too many cooks”

Decisions, 2 of 3

Practicality of treasurers, signatories

Philadelphia, 2, 3
18 treasurers

Membership and locality
Bank account

Pass

3, vote change

More than 1
More than 2
Transparency


3. 4. 5

17 . 3
1 .4
3 .5

Katrina, Bernadene
willingness

Open 3rd

Outreach contact

18, solidarity, x pending

Outreach, commentary

Conference call, outreach
UC Boulder, 170, fliers


Education
Weekly wG meetings
Workshop proposal
tracks
best practices
Model sustainability
Connection Labor/Occupy
Comments
Edu, Monday 8pm eastern, call

Logistics wG
Portapoddies, food
sleeping arrangements

Franklin Sq.

1000 people
K st. / bros’ office

Facilitation wG
necessity for
volunteer
facilitation

Promotion
Thanks
Twitter/Facebook/  Paypoint?widget

online fundraise/finance

spokepeople, TV/Radio
Hartman

Arts & Music
NY, lawyer/agent
April, Ani de Franco, 14th 15th April
….....
Springsteen, Apr. 1... attempt

Occupy bands invitation
Hip hop

Direct Action
Bob. committee sit-in
willingness to help
Bernadene
direct action/workshop wG
invitation to give of talents
street theatre, e.g.

In person meeting
now, end of march

press 2 yes,
3 no

Clarification, where

8, in-person meeting
NJ

Skype, in-person and
importance

local DC logistics, in-person
press 2, yes
no, 3

area with Skype
twinkles

virtual join

Discussion
Political party out of
movement

Temperature check

Statement indc, 2
no, 3

13, independenc

timeliness

pressure from parties
swing states

Development of
party independence

Open Mic

NOW D.C. Organizing Call -- Weekly

Agenda & Notes

Sunday, February 12, 6pm PST / 9PM EST

Call Host:  Occupy

Call Facilitators:  Roya Nyan, royanyan@gmail.com

Maestro Board Manager(s):  Marc Armstrong, marctarmstrong@gmail.com, Ellen Davidson ellen.davidson@verizon.net

Note Taker:: Paul Zeitz

Call Registration Link for This Call:  

REGISTER

http://myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/T3CD2SYKXIM1VQ

CALL OBJECTIVES:

Ongoing organizing for March 30 National Occupation of Washington, DC

CALL AGENDA:

NOW DC Organizing Call: February 12, 2012

Participants:

Atasha Herr
Peter White
Scott Petty
Deborah
Kasha Baxter & James Latimore
Peggy Robertson
Catherine Manigold
Morna McDermott
Eileen maxwell
Leslie Harris
Jeffrey Halpern
Bernadene
Kristin
Paul Zeitz
Susan Harman
Kenneth Worldwide-Rebel Collins
Ellen Barfield
Marc Armstrong
Leslie
Susan Morris
katrina davies
Roya Brown
Carrie Biggs-Adams
Steve Chrismer
John Mulkins
Wilson alvarez
Annette McMichael

Agenda:

1.       Introductions by Roya
         {list from Mark A}

2.       Overview of NOW DC by Bernadene

   {Bernadene to send report in writing to Paul}

     I am the one that brought the idea of NOW DC to Freedom Plaza from OWS. I  was there in the thick of things at One Liberty Plaza in the heady, exciting, dramatic, energetic first weeks and was familiar and spoke to almost all of the original organizers.  I can name names. I have phone numbers. Every single one of them that i spoke to thought the idea of a national call to DC was a good or great idea. One of them agreed to accompany me to take the idea to DC. He was involved for a while, but then went back to his home on the West Coast early on, soon after, the OWS camp was dismantled.  It was one of the original OWS persons that gave me Kevin's number as a reliable contact in DC, I was under the impression that several of them had been to DC several times. I was also involved  with the Direct Action working at OWS for several weeks, discussing the idea, and making plans. Not one person, nor the DAWG, as a group had anything but positive input about the idea.There was much excitement and encouragement. However, the only ones willing to act at that early time were me and Julien. We felt it was too early to ask for OWSGA input, and they were bogged down with attempting create a Spokes Council [!] We were not aware of any other call for any other national action after numerous inquiries to groups and individuals. So we decided that if it was to be in DC, DC needed to be on board. I arrived in DC on Nov. 2 and began discussions with Kevin right away. As soon as we put out the call, we began getting nearly 100% positive remarks and feedback. Not surprisingly, many had stated they had had the same idea. With the input of others, we decided on a date, and a name, to give something for people to sink there teeth into.

     I only found out about McPH when i arrived in DC.  OccupyDC has not had a GA consensus approval of the event, but Occupy Washington DC did. We [Julien, Kevin and I] all attempted on several occasions to get some on the ground approval, to test the waters, so to speak, for this, and were met with a lot of discouraging feedback. Perhaps I should have gone myself to McPherson. So there is the back story.

3.       Proposal for NOW-DC Principles – Roya reviewed Freedom Plaza code of conduct and discuss principles for NOW DC. Review a pledge of nonviolence for the website – do we want this? Did this for Oct2011. If decided upon, then these will be posted on the website and sent to the GAs that already are in solidarity.

On Freedom Plaza we adopted the following principles which include non-violence, no alcohol and drug use and participation.

1. I will use my anger at injustice as a positive, nonviolent force for change.

2. I will not carry weapons of any kind.

3. I will not vandalize, destroy or steal property.

4. I will maintain neatness of my personal belongings and cleanliness of Freedom Plaza.

5. I will not use or carry alcohol or illegal drugs on Freedom Plaza and I will not enter the Plaza in an intoxicated state.

6. I will respect quiet hours between 11 pm and 7 am.

7. I will act in a respectful manner and I will not insult, swear in public or attack others.

8. I will not assault, verbally or physically, those who oppose or disagree with me.

9. I will protect myself and call for assistance if I am assaulted.

10. I will participate in the General Assemblies and direct actions as I am able.

11. I will volunteer in Freedom Plaza daily

Comments:

a. Peter: Occupy Cape Cod:  Recommends a Diversity Working Group, shared that Native Americans have concerns about the “occupy” name and would like that to be reconsidered

b. Bernadene: Clarification, No one has come forward to organize a Diversity Working Group, so Peter was invited to coalesce the formation of a Diversity Working Group

c. Christine: On non-violence, strong agreement is to have the non-violence statement and this should be on the website; {lots of twinkles on this comment}

d. Suzanne: Affirmative action is for women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americas....but doesn’t deal with all diversity such as LGBT....perhaps a focussed group on American Indians in order to create a space for different cultural groups to come into the movement;

e. John: Albq NM has formed a American Indian group and they can be found on the web

f. Jeffrey: support non-violence principles, but concerned about the full range of FP rules and wonders who enforces these rules and forces expulsion?

g. Bernadene: We can amend them to adapt for NOW-DC, it is a voluntary request, but they are

h.  Occupy DOE: will be in the front of the Dept of Educ from March 31-April 2

i. Bernadene: We discussed yesterday at the in person meeting Philadelphia

• encourage people to sleep on sidewalks where it is legal on DC sidewalks; sleeping on sidewalks in front of federal building; Flash Sleep Ins
• on Sunday March 31, will be a sleep in on K St
• NOW-DC General Assembly....need to determine
• We intend to start on Franklin Sqaure Park, which allows 1000 people without a permit

   20 votes for a non-violence; 2 votes against the pledge

4.       Peggy Robertson and Mora of Occupy the Dept of Education in DC on March 30- April 2

• United Opt Out National is sponsoring;  
• Unitedoptout.com: movement to end punitive testing; Formed in Aug 2011
• Focus on end testing, getting children not to take tests, then corporate reformers do not have the data to have corporate takeover
• Schedule is available on website; four days of events
• Please spread the word; please support us,
• Save Our Schools is involved; passing the torch to Save Our Schools Committee
• Planning a conference before the Dem and Republican Conventions
• Please Join Us as we need big Numbers!
• Working on a permit at the DOE, from GSA, we are doing teach-ins dancing, karoke etc
• Showing TEACH at American University
• Still trying to sort out what to do from 10 PM until the morning...seeking information and seeking support
• Request for Occupy Education information to included on NOW-DC website, with weblink {follow-up with Margaret}

5.    NOW-DC Finance – discussed creating a 3 to 5 person finance committee that would oversee finances, 2 people needed to sign a check. Finance members need to be in DC so they can meet in person. Discussed opening an account at the Amalgamated Bank in DC (started by labor) and using WePay for internet donations. We can use the Alliance for Global Justice as a fiscal sponsor.  Please discuss this and who would be on the finance committee. Either Kevin or I should be on so we can arrange the accounts and fiscal sponsorship. Occupy Congress considering day of action on A17 to correspond to J17.

• Bernadene: Account needs to be separate from the organizers; Bernadene volunteers to be on the Committee
• Katrina: Volunteering to be part of the Committee
• Karl: How do we contribute money to NOW-DC? Bernadene responds: we going to establish a WePay Account.

6.    Occupy Congress Day of Action Proposal:  On a call with Occupy Congress and it was proposed to have a major action on Wednesday April 17 Action (A17) which is when Congress is back in session...which also corresponds to the January 17 (J17) action

Votes:  . 17 Votes in favor; No votes against

7.      Helen Caldicott Event: Helen is available to speak on Friday, March 30th.

Should we organize an event for that afternoon or evening?

• Helen Caldicott is a physician from Australia, longtime anti nuclear weapons and anti nuclear power activist; She is quite well known
• Bernadene: Suggestion is put it on the website so that people and advertise the appointment
• What is the content of talk? Bernadene responds: focus on anti-nuclear reactors and Indian Point in NYC; This is what she focused on when she spoke at OWS

    Votes: 15 votes in favor; no votes against:

8.  Scheduling the NOW-DC First GA

Should we hold the first GA on Saturday, March 31st or Sunday, April 1st?

• No facilitation has been arranged yet
• Ian: Suggests reach out to the Facilitation Team of  Occupy Congress and Occupy DC as a first step forward
• Bernadene: Invites Ian to do this reach out
• Karl: it has already been put out that the first GA will be at 6 Pm on Sunday April 1st;
• Bernadene: alot feedback that people are coming only for the weekend; so we would like to move it up earlier so that more people can attend; proposes to have the GA on Saturday, March 31st

Votes: 13 votes for the GA on Saturday March 31st

9.  Peak Weekend on March 30-April 1 &  Peak Week is proposed for April 10 - April 17

If people can only come for a week, recommend April 10 to 17 for the NOW DC Social Forum, celebration weekend and direct action when Congress returns.

• Kristine: clarified the prior discussions that it was proposed that national gathering to show the greatest numbers; had been proposed that everybody come for the first weekend; this proposal goes against that;
• Paul: clarified why April 10-17 was proposed, because
• Occupy Regional Making at the Regional meeting and many of the Midwest groups want their to be a focused weekend where a large number of stakeholders could be mobilized
• Roya: clarified that Occupy COngress had 2000 people on J17 and that discussion led to the A17
• Bernadene: There is a major Call for people to show up on March 30 for the first weekend
• Kathy: Focus on one weekend is a key need when we have a large number of 
• Ian: point of information: Occupy Congress had 3000; the point is to show numbers and to have the people collectively organizing
• Ilene: Congress comes back into session on Monday and full session on Tuesday, April 17.  Having the April 17th as the day for people to lobby Congress is very important
• Kristine: We need to decide or reaffirm
• Wilson: If this is Occupy Power, is to show Occupy as a national movement rather that Occupy Congress, as the focus; There is a really large divide because I am in for Occupy Washington DC..the power structure, rather than a focus on Congress...this was the intention
• Tasha: I’m hoping that we as occupiers are actually going to be doing...we need to have specific things that we are going to be doing; {roya: we have many committees that are sorting out the details of what we are going to be doing. we are coming to that now}

7.       Working group report backs: There is a page on the website “Meetings and Notes.” Would like to list when and how each working group is meeting and post the minutes on the website. Also need a contact person for each working group who will make sure that weekly meetings happen and that the notes are posted.

Vote: 15 people support posting meetings and notes on website;

a.       Outreach – need a point person for this working group and to organize weekly meetings. Steve Chrismer and Carrie Biggs-Adams to work on outreach letter to labor. Margaret and Paul to work on outreach letter to organizations. Who would like to be on it? Need outreach to Occupy Colleges (Bernadene?). Other outreach?

NOW-DC Committee of Correspondence: we can communicate with other Committees of Correspondence . Shall we do this? Vote: 8 Votes support; No one opposed

Kasha: Clarified that we communicate only between other occupiers; Roya clarified that is what she intended.

Steve: volunteer to join the Committee of Correspondence

Occupy Colleges:

Bernadene is willing to do, but she is seeking others to join her;

Deborah: Will Help with outreach to Occupy Colleges

Morna: Happy to help with outreach, ie. Baltimore Alliance for Real Democracy; Occupy Education is a major focus so she can help with Maryland outreach;

General:

Kristine: Can we set up a call about outreach?  I have offered to be a regional coordinator and I’m willing to take more of this on?  We need to have a conversation on how to coordinate this?

Paul: Gave update on outreach of regional coordinators

b.      Education – plan to simplify the form on the website. Need more outreach for workshops. Need help with outreach to find space for the workshops. Education committee meets on Monday nights by conference call.

If you are interested, please send Roya an email and we will send you the information.

NOW-DC Education Working Group call on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central/6:00 PM Mountain/5:00 West Coast.  The phone number is 610-214-0200 and the passcode is 948514#

•      Kristine (?) volunteered to be part of this working group

c.       Logistics – need a point person for this and to organize weekly meetings.

Franklin Square Park we will use because it can hold 1,000 people without a permit. It is close to metro and it is bordered by K St on one side and the Koch brothers office building on the other.

Roya: Do all the members of this Working group have to be based in DC? or can remote people?

(decided not to vote on this at this time, will be left up to individuals)  

Ian: recommends that the people should be from Washington DC with local expertise to determine these things.

Logistics Working Group: We need volunteers for Logistics Working Group and we need a point person.  No volunteers at this time.

• • Katrina is willing to co-head this with someone else who is from DC; Too big for one person.

Questions for the Logistics Working Group to consider; May also need to be considered by Direct Action Working Group:

Sleep:

Do we try to sleep in the park (increased police enforcement) or sleep on the sidewalks (legal in DC)? Can sleep on sidewalk in front of Koch building, along K St and/or in front of banks. If enough people, can try to sleep in park.

a. Tasha: their need to be a dialogue about protecting women; suggesting that Veterans For Peace in Ashville, NC could be used for some kind of protection, if that is what is needed

Homeless Outreach Team

It is a homeless park – would like to create a homeless outreach team that can prepare the people who live there for what is happening and to work with them during the event. Volunteers for this? Can’t prepare food in the park so need to reach out to local churches to use their kitchens.

--No Discussion or Comments

Food

• Will turn to local churches to see if we can use their kitchens.
• Occupy Congress had a challenge with using church kitchens; FP cook provided all of the food for Occupy Congress, Can we use them again?
• Bernadene: There are alot of possibilities to check for food...we need help with outreach to range of groups;

Security

• Ellen: Veterans for Peace: will be involved; intend to organize a training on the first weekend, but VFP will not be taking on general security for the entire NOW-DC, as VFP is focussing on the G8 mobilization in Chicago in May 2012

Weather

Tasha recommends that we take this seriously

d.      Arts and music – need a point person for this and to organize weekly meetings. Would like to reach out to musicians to perform throughout the month. Kevin Zeese met with a music producer and agent. Focused also on a weekend of celebration of occupy power for April 14 and 15. We have West Potomac Park reserved for a concert on April 14 and Ani DiFranco has agreed to perform. Would like to invite Occupy performers for that day too.

• Kristine: Requests an update on artists
• Paul: Updated on idea of inviting Occupy Bands and artists to be part of the NOW-DC
• Ian: liked the idea of the Occupy
• Morna: Occupy Art Facebook and website is up and running, consider linking to their facebook website
• Roya: Checking with Colorado bands to see if they are interested in coming.

No volunteers to be the point person

e.      Promotion – need a point person for this and to organize weekly meetings. Still trying to find help with the website. Leslie has stepped up to create a Facebook page and created a twitter account.  We need to think about a press strategy. Ideas for promotion?

No volunteers to be the point person

• Ilene is happy to be the Promotions Point Person and she is an expert in this area;
• Kristine: Someone from Chicago happy to do national media blitz
• Roya: wants to send NOW-DC info to all of her personal contacts
• Ilene: we need a promotional film, as of now no one is doing this
• Leslie had agreed to set up facebook and twitter and that should appear on website

f.        Direct action – need a point person for this and to organize weekly meetings. Need particular days that people know of that are for big actions. Ideas for Consideration: A march on April 2? Greeting Congress on April 17? Direct action group will organize some large actions and can continue to meet and plan actions during the month.

• Bernadene will be the point person for Direct Action;
• NOW-DC google group is only group that
• Leslie, Ian, Ward, Marsha, Bernadene are the folks on that group.  Bernadene will be contacting each of you.  
• Bernadene will start working on contacting everyone to start planning.
• Ian is happy to be the point person, very happy to get very involved; Bernadene is happy to turn over to Ian if he has skills and interest. Bernadene and Ian will follow-up directly by email.
• Ian will be creating a separate direct action email, or he can use the one that has been set up by Margaret

g.       Peacekeepers – need a point person and weekly meetings for this group.

• Brief Procedural Comments

• • Communication using Dashboard:  please use “Comments” to submit clarifying questions during the 20min of Charles speaking
  • Communication using phone keypad (review numbers 1-5)

1)  Get on Stack

2)  Agreement, applause & approval for current speaker - wiggly fingers

3)  Disagreement with current speaker’s comments

4)  Direct response to current speaker

5)  Point of order

• • Be concise so many can speak.  The tone indicates you have 15 seconds to wrap it up
  • Say “check” or  “I yield” after comments so we know you are finished
  • Direct Participants to the Agenda & Notes (copy and paste to Participant dashboard)

Closing Comments

• Show of hands for those who wish to share their contact info for the call
• Big thank you for the note takers xxx & xxx
• Need more Maestro tech assistants
• Request volunteers for occupations to host the Media Call in coming weeks. Only requires a two hour basic Maestro class and you have tech assistants backing you up.
• Ask for feedback to make the call better. Send to info@interoccupy.org with subject “NOW Call Feedback”
• Those who wish to remain and chat will be on open mic for 30 minutes

• Closing comments from participants

End at 2:00 Hour

==================================================

NOW DC Organizing meeting: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012--In Person meeting

Philadelphia, PA

1. Introductions: Kevin Zeese, Paul Zeitz, Maryland, Michelle Johnson Occupy Philly and Lancaster, action and PR working group, Steve Chrismer, Freedom Plaza, local to Philly, Vivek Ananthan, Occupy Philadelphia, Treasurer, People of Color, Ellen Barfield, Baltimore Freedom Plaza and NOW DC, direct action working group, Margaret Flowers, John with Occupy Philly, Bill Perry Occupy Philly and VFP.

2.      Overview of NOW DC: Bernadene Zennie came down to Freedom Plaza in early November from OWS direct action working group to suggest a DC event bringing occupy's together, Freedom Plaza GA supported, we are building it as an event organized by occupies all over the country. Begin March 30, Sunday 1 April 1 for first GA, DC March 2^nd, Social Forum next week and a half till the 14^th, Concert on West Potomac Park on the 14^th (near MLK, FDR and Potomac), April 16^th Congress returns direct actions begin, perhaps an A17 day of Occupy Congress.

Discussion of lack of predictability of when people will come.  Lancaster pushing 10^th to 17^thfor their people. 

3.      Principles, non-violence, accountability, transparency, funding

Non-violence – suggest VFP and FP principles as a starting point for discussion

Code of Conduct – as other movements have had

Add conduct on divisiveness, criticizing others, showing solidarity; have conversations about infiltration, define behaviors, educate people on history of infiltration

Get independent media to investigate, do FOIA requests, write about infiltration, show we are on the offensive so infiltrators know they are being watched

Infiltrator identification teams

How do we enforce rules? – Change working relationship with police, develop our own enforcement practices

Mental health outreach in DC – might be good to have a mental health team that works with mentally/emotionally disturbed. Winter soldier team had good group to deal with mental health issues. Civilian-soldier alliance.

UNAC conference peace keeper training?

Time-limited encampment

Come out of NOW DC with next steps, perhaps nationwide day of community-based GA’s.

GA’s good for discussion, not always good for decision-making

Perhaps an autonomous funding group (Seattle model) that listens to GA ideas but decides funding.  The group is longer-term so people are aware of history/priority of group.

Transparency of funding decisions.
Fundraising will put something on website, will check into WePay as an alternative 
AFGJ as a fiscal sponsor

Credit union or community bank for account, Amalgamated Bank is the labor bank, 1825 K St., NW

Treasurer, how many people? 3-5 Ken Meyers is a trusted possibility, Nora Callahan, 2 signatures on each check?, based in Washington,

4.       Labor

Steve raises issue, early experience with labor not doing much at the national level.  At the grass roots they can be brought in.

Invite labor to individual events, only a month long encampment

Make it clear we are a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-electoral

Gino Renni, UFCW expressed interest, donated to Fund Our Communities (group advocating war dollars going to community)

Emergency Labor Network

Put together invite to labor – Steve will do first draft
 

5.       International Issues

Thirty countries with occupies, can we do something to reach out with them, do something political with them.

May 12 – next international day of action, conference calls on Saturday’s 2 PM eastern

International solidarity sessions at Social Forum
 

6.       Working Groups:

a.       Outreach

Interoccupy divided in regions, 7 zones, more occupations are considering solidarity,

NOW DC create a Committees of Correspondence 
Organizations, unions for endorsement/solidarity
Steve/Carrie will lead labor outreach

Paul will reach out to organizations, make it clear NOW DC is about individuals not orgs

Hedges, Cornel West etc.

Caldicott

Naomi Klein

Lawrence Lessig

Universities

Break

Joined by Sylvia Lee Metzler, sylmetz@juno.com and Bernadene Zennie bazennie@gmail.com.

b.      Education

Paul reviewed the workshops that have been proposed.

Call on Monday, urge people to attend

Outreach to labor and organizations include asking them to submit workshops

We’re starting to get responses from churches for space, Friends and Festival Center

c.       Logistics

Franklin Sq., homeless challenges need to educate both campers and homeless

Are we ready to put Franklin Sq. on website?

Sleeping rules, if can’t sleep in Franklin Sq., sleep in front of banks, Koch brothers building off of Franklin, line K St. with sleeping bags. Turn the no sleeping in parks against them, by systematically sleeping in the streets at targeted locations.  Turning sleeping into a direct action.

New rules don’t allow sleeping: suggestions Foods Not Bombs, Occupy Faith, DC Central Kitchen, Martha’s Table, Friends House,

When should we have first GA
Document which occupies are there and why

Sanitation – how do we recycle, “Compost Cabbie”

Health care group, medics, health tent

d.      Promotion

e.      Arts and music

f.        Direct Action

g.       Peacekeeping and cohesion

Sunday Conference Call February 5, 2012

1. Introductions: Steve Chrismer, Occupy Washington, DC, Carl Anderson, Tacoma, Washington, Kristin, Occupy Michigan, Scott Southern Maryland, Occupy DC, Zack, Occupy St. Louis, Bernadene, Occupy Washington, DC, Leslie, Occupy San Diego, Roya, Occupy Denver, Jill, Occupy Longmont (near Denver and Boulder), Bob Ballard, Occupy Washington, DC, Elisha, Occupy Denver, Brando, Occupy Sarasota, OurAmericanSpring.org, John Guffey, Occupy Denver, school in Estes Park, with students, Justin, Occupy Portland, Wilson, Occupy Lancater, PA, Deb Arnason, Occupy Ft. Meyers/Naples, FL
Kevin Zeese, Occupy Washington, DC (taking notes)

2. Dates of the event
Last Sunday began discussion because initially we decided to invite people to come to DC on March 30 and go through April 30.  Congress not in session until April 16.  We decided to go ahead with March 30 and do some local actions in first week, social forum in the second week, direction action April 16th to 30th.  Some people felt that was too much and to spread out.  That there should be some definite key dates when people should be strongly encouraged to come.  Since then two raids at McPherson and Freedom with aggressive enforcement of no camping rules.
Kristen -- yesterday we met with regional occupies in the Midwest presented the March 30th date and overview.  Some of the feedback Zack and I received was that having one specific date when people could come and show numbers in mass.  There were ten different occupies at this regional meeting.  It was very well received.
Margaret -- mentions meeting with manager/lawyers of musicians.  Could have significant concert on weekend on April 14th with Ani DeFranco anchoring.
Justin -- This is a function of who we expect to show up.  People who are going to occupy for a month is one group; people coming in from out of town may be better off with 3-4 days of intense action and perhaps repeat that.
Bernadene -- Asks if Congress out of town will get more media attention?  Margaret answers yes, we will get more attention. Bernadene, we are meeting for ourselves, whether Congress is there or not does not matter a lot. Urges making March 30th the day we make a big one for people to gather.
Brando -- Agrees with Bernadene. Stick with the 30th.
Roya -- Question - do we have a permit for Freedom Plaza?  Margaret -- do not have at this time, need to check with current permit holder.  There are certain black out dates in the middle of the month where they will use the entire Plaza.
KZ -- KZ expresses concerns about full month.  Suggests two key days during the social forum and during the first week Congress is back. Suggests the best would be the 2nd and 3rd weeks as that would be more manageable with Park Service and with 
Kristen -- Can social forum and concert be moved up a week?
Margaret -- Ani DiFranco can't reschedule.
Wilson -- Having Congress there does not make a big difference. March 30th is already out there.  The occupation will speak for itself. It does not matter how hard it is going to be.  It is a must.  Revolution is hard.
Bob -- Agrees with Wilson.  All the occupations need forward momentum.  This is a great opportunity to do that. How about the mall? 
Margaret -- We can go to Franklin Sq.  We tried to get a permit for the Mall but there are to many events going on. Of course, if we get tens of thousands, we might decide to take the Mall anyway.
Elijah -- Stick with what we got and see what happens.  It is all a learning experience.  It might be best to have the largest numbers of people when we start direct actions to increase safety.
Bernadene -- People want one day when people come in together.  What can we do in one day? We can be there.  We can occupy and show solidarity.  We can have some actions but having a gathering and a GA is very powerful.
Margaret -- Maybe we can do something to play on April 1st -- You can't fool us or something.
Group votes to end discussion.
Group votes to stay with the schedule, unanimous for all who voted.
Group votes to start social forum the first week of April and go for two weeks.

3. Working Group Report Back:

Outreach -- We started sending out communique's to occupations to take it to GA's last Friday.  We quickly got the ten we needed to put it on front page of Interoccupy as a national action. OWS overwhelmingly supported it on Thursday.  So we have 11.  We have not heard back from others although they are being pursued.  We are also working on a letter to labor. 

Bernadene -- has made contact with Occupy Portland and LA and there is a regional meeting of all the Occupies on the West Coast. There are a lot of regional occupies that come together where we can get a lot of solidarity consensus.
Zack -- Will bring to Occupy St. Louis on Wednesday, expects it to pass.  March 15 to 18th regional conference in St. Louis, about 30 cities.
Kristin -- Regional midwest meeting with 10 occupies will be taking the proposal back from solidarity.  We should be getting several more over the week.
Wilson -- Occupy Lancaster, PA voted to make the action our action and we are in solidarity.  Will make it official on Wednesday.
Leslie -- Is going to Olympia Social Forum and will be doing outreach about NOW DC then.  Let a bunch of So. California occupies know about it and will bring it to their GA's.
Roya -- Our N. Colorado liaison has contacted others occupy's. Boulder tomorrow. Littleton wants to endorse.  Also contacting S. Colorago.  On the 18th huge conference meeting in Boulder of many occupations.
Steve -- On the outreach to labor, Carrie has an interoccupy labor subgroup.
Margaret -- Confirms there is such a call an hour before hours.
John -- At the high school we would be interested in doing outreach to youth, peace jam groups exist across the country. Would be willing to do some legwork in that area.
Margaret -- says exciting describes flier and communique on website, if need more contact info@NOWDC.org
Brando -- has contacted occupies in Alabama, Mississippi and Floriday. SE Regional Convergence is happening in late March.
Carl -- In Washington, sent infor out about NOW DC, people are saying difficult to discern what is going on from the links. Urges a better home page for NOW DC. 

Education -- Paul Zeitz has been focusing on outreach this week.  We do have call for workshop proposals.  Lots of discussion going on about it.  Invites everyone to urge people to submit proposals, what would you want to hear. Concerned about the two weeks, getting enough people there. We could have an intensive few days in the first week.
Margaret -- education call tomorrow evening 8 PM eastern.  
Roya -- Voted for two because people will be arriving the first week and good to give them places to go.  Suggests some workshops can be repeated.

Education Working Group call 
Monday 8 PM Eastern, 610-214-0200 passcode 948514#

Logistics -  We need someone to be point person on logistics working group. We are also reaching out to local occupy groups to work on that.
Brando -- wants to be involved in logistics, but is in Sarasota
Roya -- Asks about peoples homes being available. 
Margaret -- we have info on that on October2011 site.  We can look into transferring that info over to NOW DC. Also includes info on hostels, hotels and churches.
Paul -- Can Brando get a count of how many people are coming?  It would be good to get a handle on how many people are coming when.
Brando -- I'd be interested in compiling that as occupations showed their interest.
Wilson -- Regarding numbers, maybe we can do something like that on the NOW DC website.
Brando -- has website AllAmericanSpring and is putting everything going on this Spring.

Direct Action -- Ward and Marsha not on the call. Plan is to start to develop plans for direct action before NOW DC begins but continue it after March 30th.
Carl -- Is it possible to insert the word non-violent before the words direct action to keep that clear?
Margaret -- Thank you we will correct that.
Jill -- Wants some clarity on direct action. Some people indicating they are afraid to get too involved in occupy because they fear the police are violent.
Margaret -- anything from a march to rally or sit-ins, occupying offices etc. Margaret describes the usual practices of police in DC which are usually non-violent. 
Roya -- Can we have some direct actions in the first two weeks?
Margaret -- definitely plan at least marches.  And, there are plenty of targets in DC outside of Congress.  Lobbyists, chamber of Commerce, K Street.
Bob -- I've been occupying in DC for four months and was pleasantly surprised to see how restrained the police were.  Tell your friends not to be afraid.
Bernadene -- Ward will only be there the first week to ten days.  So, there will be actions to do the very fist week.
Wilson -- We cannot allow police presence to scare us.  

Promotion -- Scott agreed to work on that.  We need help on website as our usual webmaster is very busy. It is based on drupal.  We also need people to help maintain FB page and twitter.
Kristen -- woman from Occupy Chicago can do media blitz when we have press releases
Leslie -- Do we have FB event page.
Margaret -- We have an event page with 2,000 people who say they are coming. We also we have a regular FB page as well.
Leslie -- will help with those.
Brando -- would also like to help with FB page 
Leslie -- will set up twitter account
Scott -- will help with twitter account, can also help with web page
Kristen -- what is FB address
Margaret -- National Occupation of Washington, DC
Deb -- Works on getting Letters to Editor, got one in Ft. Meyers.  We should use letters to the editor as a way to get the word out.
Carl -- Wants to participate in this work group. 

Arts and Music -- KZ reports on meeting with attorney in NYC who has lots of top talent as her clients. On the 14th Ani DiFranco is confirmed to help anchor.  We are trying to get Jackson Brown confirmed for the next weekend. We are letting musicians know they are welcome throughout the month
Margaret thinking of this as a celebration of occupy power
Brando  wants to be part 
Deb  wants to occupy power - the energy system
Kristen - suggests getting some hip hop groups to ensure diversity, there is a group, Woo Tang that might be available closer to March 30th will send to info@NOWDC.org
Elijah -- in order to show our commitment to horizontal leadership, get unknown bands to be included and have Ani and Jackson open for them!
Wilson -- for me the revolution is the most important.  The music is less important.

Peacekeeping nothing to report

4. Next meeting -- Next Saturday Feb 11th having an in-person meeting in Philadelphia, 12 to 5.  People can come in by phone or Skype.  
KZ suggests meeting in Olympia at Social Forum
Margaret suggests skipping the Sunday night meeting
Bernadene -- we need to decide what we are going to do the first days and where we want people to come when they arrive.
Carl -- Thinks we need the presumption of regularity and meet even though we have the Saturday meeting. Maybe a scaled down call.
Kristen -- suggests break out groups
Margaret -- KZ and I will be traveling but we can get someone else to moderate the call
52% say keep the call, 22% say don't keep the call
Margaret asks for someone to volunteer to moderate -- Roya volunteers; asks if someone could come to Colorado on Feb 18th to talk to everyone in Colorado for that meeting

Sunday Conference Call 1_29_12

1.      Introductions:

Carrie Biggs Adams, WDC CWA, Hassan Occupy DC, Ward Reilly, Baton Rouge, LA, Vets for Peace, IVAW, Freedom Plaza, Deborah , Occupy Takoma, Carl, Occupy Tacoma, Francesca, Occupy Tacoma, Scott, Southern Maryland, Marcia Coleman Adebayo, No FEAR Coalition, Occupy EPA, Paul Zeitz, NOW DC education working group, Maryland, Kevin Zeese, OWDC,

Clark Walker, Occupy Denver, Identity studies, Dean Tuckerman, Occupy Bellingham Washington, Ellen Barfield, Baltimore, Vets for Peace, War Resisters League, Freedom Plaza,

Bethany Foster, Occupy Chattanoga, Maria Allwine, Baltimore, OWDC, Peter White, Occupy Cape Cod, 5 town based occupy groups, John Mulkin, People’s Congress, Berkeley, East Bay Social Forum, Jonathan Cronin, Occupy Austin, TX, Bernadene Zenni, OWDC, Steve Chrismer, OWDC, Leslie, Occupy San Diego, Karen Sharp, Occupy Morristown, PA

Roya, Occupy Denver, health care activist, Coordinator OWDC, Bruce Wright, Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, People’s Welcoming for RNC, Freedom Plaza, Dave Petrovich, New Jersey, Bob Ballard, OWDC by way of California, Elisha, Occupy Denver, education committee, identity studies working group, Susan Harman, Oakland, CODE PINK, Public Banking Institute, Walda DC area, National Planning committee of US Social Forum, Kristen, Occupy Kalamazoo, Ellen Davidson, OWDC, doing tech tonight, Occupy Wall Street

Bernadene – Correct link for agenda is now available.

2.      Review Agenda

Focus on each work group

Hassan – Express concerns lack of African Americans, lack of coordination, lack of resources; he’s been handing out lots of flyers and no one else is – Margaret not an agenda item for tonight, if you want to talk to me individually happy to do so

Dean Tuckerman direct response – his comment needs to be taken into account, maybe we should have a discussion about it.

Maria Outreach to African American community should be part of our outreach, but not a place for philosophical discussion about involvement of African Americans

Margaret explains Hassan is someone who has threatened violence and we have asked him not to participate because of his philosophy of violence

3.      Working Group Reports

Logistics – Maria does not want to point person, need more people, has experience from Freedom Plaza, need people to think about where we will go, food, porta potties.  Wants volunteers – names and emails.

Ward – volunteers, also a peacekeeper with lots of logistical experience

KZ mentions the Park Police threatening to stop

Twitter Occupy DC Reality – getting information on how many people can sleep in which parks

Outreach – We developed a proposal that can be sent to various occupations for endorsements or statements of solidarity.

Paul drafted a communique about proposal, got comments from NYC, Philly, KZ, Margaret – five bulleted communique on the website, put it on NOW DC webserve.  We now have 7 occupations signed on:

Occupy Washington DC

Occupy New Orleans

Occupy Baton Rouge

Occupy San Diego

Occupy Rochester

Occupy Denver

Occupy Springfield (MO)

 And, fair amount of activity in other places.  Once we get 10 the next step is to have a dialogue with interoccupy and get it put on their home page as a featured event. We have a contact list of people around the country for outreach.  And, working with Committees of Correspondence.

Margaret a few people have already asked for contacts. If you want to help let us know.

Roya Have October2011 been contacted yet?

KZ we will do an email blast this week.

Leslie wants to be added for Southern California area

Bernadene will send contacts to Paul or is there going to be a working group

Paul’s email PaulZeitz.justice@gmail.com

Mail Margaret to info@NOWDC.org to say what committee you want to be on

Carl things should be coordinated through the outreach working group to avoid duplication and consistent messages both Carl and Fransecsa want to be on

Kristin email on the organizing page has the oct2011.org address not NOWDC.org address for Margaret

Ward has anyone contact UFPJ, ASWER, Military Families Speak Out

Margaret we had talked about wanting to bring in Occupations first and have not discussed bringing in orgs yet

Dave Petrovich will work on NJ occupations

Scott supports bringing in groups at some point

Bruce Peoples Welcoming for RNC has lots of contacts, we should reach out for G8

KZ lets push occupies hard this week and then go to organizations

Carrie sometimes it takes union movement soon because they can be slow

People twinkled up on that and Carrie will work on outreach to unions

Brought up online: Should we do some specific outreach to African Americans

Dave mentions Cape Code issue is Native Americans, he’d be part of a diversity working group

Fransesca in agreement about a diversity working group for Native and African American communities, will give us culture competency and legal leverage once we break through since they have been so disenfranshised

Ward – can we go through some of the people we’ve reach out to on Freedom Plaza

Margaret – Occupy the Dream, Rev. Jamal Bryant

Marcia – would like to work on African American outreach, Glen Ford and Marcia wrote an article about Occupy the Dream and potential implicit support they bring with them for Obama. We are in a wait and see stance at this point

KZ – Rev. Hagler another option in black community, Rev. Bryant mentioned potential third party

Elijah – someone in Denver bringing in communities of struggle to bring them in and he will see if she wants to work with us.

Bruce – Network of Spiritual Progressives is involved and there are African Americans involved in that. Suggests talking to Cornel West, Rev. Wright (Obama’s pastor). Bruce is willing to do liaison with religious leaders

Roya – done a lot of outreach on health care found best way to reach out to African American and Latio communities is through their churches to mobilize their congregation

Ward – Dick Gregory came out to Freedom Plaza, maybe get him to make a call-out

Carl – He is with two other people who are people of color.  African American community is not monolithic, asking them to join in rather than bringing them in to help formulate.  Dick Gregory is resented by many and liked by others.  It is very diverse

Margaret – thank you for pointing that out.  We need to seek to build diversity.

Bruce – Poor Peoples Movement had Resurrection City will help bring more African Americans in. Agree it is not monolithic community.  Acknowledge our shortcomings re outreach.

Marcia – It is a myth to assume any community is monolithic.  All have their tendencies and class differences, historical context.  Need to be careful we are not siding with a particular part of a community.

Education

Paul – the education NOW DC Social Forum, materials on home page, top right hand corner/  During the second week of April we will create educational opportunities.  We have a call for proposals on the site. Lots of great ideas coming in. Still working to get a form online, right now just via email.

KZ will be on working group

Susan will be on working group

Roya will be on working group

Bruce will be on working group

Carrie will be on working group

Paul – that’s great.  Next thing is getting a weekly call going.  We’ll do a doodle poll and try to have a call this week.

Website and promotion

Margaret we have a site, still rudimentary.  Do not have someone leading this. Dennis Trainor, Jr. has agreed to do videos. 

Ward – will Udi be involved?

Margaret – he is somewhat involved, does not have a huge amount of time

John Malkans – would like to be involved, platform is drupal.  If there is someone he can talk to and get an introduction he will help out.

Scott – if you need help with website and social media he will help

Music and Art

KZ mentions two weekend possibilities and meeting April 14 and April 21

Margaret – we have space in West Potomac Park near MLK, Jr. memorial

Ward why waiting on music?

KZ explains bridge between education and action, draw people

Direct Action

United Opt Out doing Occupy Dept of Education at beginning of April, focused on testing being used to fail school and privatize them.

Second week of April School of Americas Watch having a direct action training in DC

We’re still looking for someone to be the contact person.

Ward – wants to be on direct action

Kristen – looking for a day where people can come all over the country – one big day.

Marcia – volunteers for direct action

Ellen Barfield – on the committee

Bernadene – on the committee, the one day we’ve talked about is March 30.  Is that true?

Leslie – on the committee, repeat two websites

Unitedoptout.com

SOAW.org/takeaction/april

John Malkens – Seconds what Kristen is saying, how about when schools are out of session? People’s congress is looking for space on mall for end of July. Int’l AIDS conference is also end of July.

Ward – play Devil’s Advocate – pushing March 30, to get people to come and wait two weeks for concert is a big mistake.

Margaret explains we would start gathering on March 30 and do GA on that Sunday

Kristen – is there a way to consolidate, two weeks too long for many, many people

Margaret – thinking was to use first week to set camps up do visibility marches. But getting a sense people want to revisit time line

Jonathan – full time student in Austin, classes Mon-Thu therefore limited time. Spring breaks are staggered throughout March and April.  Agree we need to focus on one big day to show a united front

Ward – will you be contact for direct action?

Kevin – Need a discussion on the timeline, it sounds like we could be off base

Ellen – seeing some twinkles

Marcia – perhaps she could back Ward up

Kristen – I know this might be a big shift, to Memorial Day weekend in May, colleges are out

Margaret – NATO/G8 is happening in mid May

Peter – Also has an activity since he is running for Congress. Wants to occupy congress, move it back a week to set up social forum and do set-up, then pile in for the first week of Congress after 16^th

Ward – Totally lost now.  We’ve been pushing March 30^th.

KZ – confused about Ward wanting to reconsider timeline if he can’t delay

John – can we create one event – April through July – need to stick with 30^th, but need something developed when school has recessed.  Memorial Day would be a tough travel weekend.

Bernadene – we need to stay with March 30.  Understand why Congress is important. They are going to barricade all around.  We need to go there and do what we can but it will be difficult. Can we have music on March 31^st? Need to show this is a serious, long-term effort.  Let people know this is something for everyone.

Roya – Agree.  She has bought her ticket. Many people are coming the first week. Would like music on both weekends.

Could not hear name – too late to change the date. No date will be perfect for everyone.

Bruce – we have to be realistic.  Can’t rely on the same group of people to show up for the whole month. 

Ward – was talking about moving it backward for the big music

KZ – sees lots of confusion, can’t do music every weekend get’s too expensive with sound, stage, lighting; weekend protests have no impact as everything is closed.

Margaret – when Congress is out we get more attention because there is less news to compete with

Peacekeepers

Ellen starting a listserve.  Got additional emails tonight to add to the listserve.

Margaret – in addition to traditional peacekeeping, also want to learn from Phase I of occupations and how we can deal with those difficulties encountered

Ward – plan to have Vets for Peace peacekeeper team come the first week

In person meeings, Feb 11^th in Philadelphia. Will Skype in those that can’t make it.