GA - General Assembly Minutes Sept. 1, 2012

GA Minutes - Sept. 1, 2012

Committee Reports

Finance Committee - After Carlos is paid $150 which is owed him, we have $110.

Media - The web site has been hacked again. The gibberish has been deleted and steps are being taken to protect the site.

Garden Group - is meeting at WorldBeat Center on Tuesdays from 10-12.

Food Justice Committee - meeting at Headquarters Café, on Tuesday at 7.

OWS and OSD Anniversary Committee meets at 6 before GA, Children‘s Park.

TPP working group (announced late). TPP meeting in Leesburg , Va. , 9/5-11.Want to do street theater, need 4-5 people. The planning is not yet complete.

Agenda Topics

Old Topics:

Live streaming GA - This is postponed as one of the 3 member working group is unable to attend at this time.

Proposal by Uma:

“Because mutual respect is essential for the functioning of Horizontal Democracy using consensus process, it is proposed that any member of the GA who consistently exhibits disrespectful behavior to others in the circle will be asked to step out for three consecutive GA's. During that time they will not be able to participate in the GA or any subgroups. Disrespect is defined as interrupting, name calling, threatening or distracting behavior. The person may observe GA during this time in order to facilitate active and appropriate participation on their return.

Any member may initiate this action, however, it must be consensed on by at least

90% of those present.

Discussion on GA - It’s purpose and use.

Discussion of the Good Neighbor Policy

New Topics:

OWS Anniversary - Sept. 17

Drone Conference in San Diego - Oct. 10-12

Discussions: To increase efficiency it was decided to keep topics, and speakers to a time limit, which could be negotiated if we decided to run overtime.

OWS Anniversary - Sept 17: This is a compilation of many suggestions.

OWS is celebrating for three days 9/15-17. We could celebrate on the 15^th before the GA with a potluck. Also, we could note the Anniversary on the 17 after the Vote No on Prop. Rally which will be from 5-7. We could meet at a designated area and have an open mic, or a free speech hour/rally/dance.

We could see if Women Occupy would mind if we did a concurrent banner drop to honor the Anniversary.

We could take a group picture of all those who agreed to be photographed, and send it to OWS to indicate our solidarity.

Drone Conference - Oct 10-12: This is a compilation of the discussion.

This topic is well publicized , unlike the TPP, and has deep ethical considerations that we are just considering. It should be easier to arouse public opinion. The venue is near foot, bike, and auto traffic. We must be careful not to block traffic going into airport.

There are many possible methods of bringing this to public attention: Puppets, pamphlets, street theater, drone models, panel discussions (there is a C-Span program which might be used) .

In addition to the military presence, many manufacturers have bases here, .

Can use this to educate about topics such as the military-industrial complex, TPP, non-military use of drones for surveillance on civilian populations ( possibly 20,000 in US), congressional hearings about drones, and the ethical considerations; personnel (possibly non-military) using lethal weaponry on distant populations, or the fact that drones will not be able to discriminate between lawful and unlawful behavior, or that drones may be bought privately or by police to spy on innocent citizens.

This should be a coalition effort. Suggest one big event as it is coming close after OSD Anniversary, which should help give up some momentum for this. Could have one big thing to start, then a continual presence by those who can come.

This ties in well with the TTP, Afghan war, and international and political considerations. If people are killed by a drone, they are immediately labeled “militants”.

We need a web site, a Google Group, flyers (King Kong image?) and to educate ourselves further.

Big Brother is Watching… and He’s Armed!

GA - Purpose, Use, Format: Individual comments

What is the ultimate function? Space to share information, committee , working group, personal announcements. Discuss things, but not vote on them. Is the process of coming to consensus the reason we have conflict?

Do we need different types of meetings with different functions?

Would be good to confine GA to topics, information, business meeting. Have time frame.

It is a business meeting. Consensus is an integral part of horizontal democracy. To meet, to get together as an Occupy organization. Can leave or come when one can. Purpose, format is malleable on purpose. It’s what we are.

Sometimes it’s hard to come to consensus, but it’s worth it. It’s important to speak together, support each other, meet.

GA is essential to who we are. If we are to be an example of horizontal democracy, we need to do it. We are evolving in our ability, need to keep at it and learn how to do it better. Most communication is non-verbal. GA allows for more depthful interactions.

Some arguments are heated. The moderator needs to be strong and take control, remind people to respect process and speaker. Can sometimes heckle in a gentle way. We should keep process. It’s a good way to air differences.

We are studying, learning. If a person is over speaking, that person should take responsibility for themselves.

In heat of argument, people speak out.

Agree with both comments. Moderator needs to be strong. And, each person in the circle must take personal responsibility for their own behavior.

There needs to be an “internal moderator”. Moderations starts here, in the heart. When things get heated, bring them to the moderator.

Some moderators get out of line.

Like consensus process. What is GA good for? So many people don’t come any longer. Why? Maybe we need a one day format, where we share projects, invite others to join. Maybe the idea that we have to come to consensus is off-putting.

Personal Announcements:

Sept. 9 , GMO’s something at noon. (sorry, I can’t read my own handwriting! Uma)

10h Annual Autumn Harvest Event for Pagan Pride, Balboa Park, Sept. 8. Meet at 6^th and El Prado. All day.

We-the-People-2012. Org. Eva wants to set up a discussion board about candidates and issues. Has doll puppets and wants to use them for people to have their own debate between presidential candidates. Will compile these and make the best debates into a presentation.

On being a moderator, Kathy states she has tried to do it and been disrespected. She will not try again until she gets training, and balls.

Submitted by Uma, Sept. 5^th, 2012