Drew facillitating

Suggested we use some new hand signals- Guns instead of triangle to be put on
list to address.

Items of discussion:

Deanna is looking for the camping equiptment will do inventory by Saturday.

March 15 political theater event was suggested by Drew @ the Chamber of Commerce

Idea of statewide Occupy event was suggested by Chicago. Drew asked if there was
any opposition to it for this summer(july or august). None opposed.

June 15th target date for working on “Overturn Citizens United” getting a
resolution from city council saying they support overturning citizens united.

Tuesday night 430 pm- Stand Up Springfield event meet @ Lincoln statue 1/2 hr
rally and then a march to Chamber of Commerce.

Drew inquired if money could be alloted to buy an airbrush to do t shirt. spray paint
was suggested.

Ride shares were asked about. People were directed to check the rideshare post
on the forums.

Dead drops were discussed.

Drew suggested an Occu-pie shop to raise funds.

Drew facillitating

Suggested we use some new hand signals : Guns instead of triangle to be put on
list to address.

Items of discussion:

Deanna is looking for the camping equipment. Will do inventory by Saturday.

March 15 political theater event was suggested by Drew @ the Chamber of Commerce.

Idea of statewide Occupy event was suggested by Chicago Drew asked if there is any opposition to it for this summer(july or august). None opposed.

June 15th target date for working on "Overturn Citizens United" getting a
resolution from city council saying they support overturning Citizens United..

Tuesday night 430 pm Stand Up Springfield  event meet @ Lincoln statue 1/2 hr
rally and then a march to Chamber of Commerce.

Drew inquired if money could be alloted to buy an airbrush to do t shirt spray paint.

Ride shares were asked about. People were directed to check the rideshare post
on the forums.

Dead drops were discussed.

Drew suggested an occu-pie shop to raise funds.

2/28/12 General Assembly Meeting

AJ facilitating
Mary E. minutes

Occupy the Food Supply:
Mary M. is going to be working on issues pertaining to food supplies, including buy local, local area farms, and Monsanto.

Compassionate Communication & Skills in Action
Mary M. announced a workshop and flyer with moderator, Syrrus Powell, MSW. Syrrus, from Evansville, Ind., is a graduate of the Committed NVC Practitioner Program and was an Assistant Trainer for the international Leadership Program run by the Bay Area Center for Nonviolent Communication in Oakland, California. The workshop is free, but donations to reimburse travel expenses will be appreciated. It will be held at Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Church, Saturday, March 3 from noon to 4pm.

OSI Website:
Chris W would like to add a secure forum and chatroom to our website. There will be no costs associated. The GA voted approval.

Occupy BloNo at the State Capitol:
Linda G & Shelly B joined BloNo members & Sonny G for the HS 4603 hearing, which did not pass out of the committee.

Media Events:
Mary E passed on a request from Joe F regarding media events. If we are going to send press releases to media, we should show up to our events 15 minutes prior to the actual event, i.e. getting there before the media does, be ready on time.

UIS Rally & Ask Occupy Panel Discussion
Mary E. reminded OSI members to participate in the campus rally from 5 to 6pm, preceding the OSI panel discussion this Thursday.

Book Club:
Chris W will run the book club, independent of OSI. The first two books on the book club list, available online, will remain the same, Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky, & Webs of Power by Starhawk.

Citizen’s United:
Jim D will post a link on the OSI discussion page regarding a published annual report of corporations, who owns what.

Organizational Development:
Chris W reminded us that OSI began with a work group structure but this faded away, due to a lack of individual commitments. Also reminding us from Richard Gilman-Opalsky, be careful of becoming too restrictive with working goals & demands. Although, we do need a straight-arrow focus. The OSI “core” is the GA, the GA is where decisions are made. AJ stated that we can have internal structure within groups, as well as support from external groups. AJ recommended that OSI should take the time to create a list of obtainable goals that are reachable in a timely manner. Bob believes we may be putting the cart before the horse, in organizing work groups. We may first need to establish a more definitive mission before we begin organizing work groups. Instead of viewing a philosophical mission, we need to create that philosophy through realizing our philosophical goals. What are those goals? It’s really about the 1% in control. Keep hammering at that objective. Chris W said our goals are education, awareness, & empowerment, & that we do not align ourselves with the 2-party system. Jim D. stated that the 99% is a diverse group that represents the 99%. The goal is how to make change. We need to stay focused on what we are trying to accomplish. Establish that first, & work backwards from there, utilizing individual skill sets. Shelly B. stated that we need to focus on the broader issues. We can’t afford to get lost in minutia; we have to be diligent in keeping in the context of national issues. Work groups are not issue based groups, but rather, where people work; matching individual assets to tasks. Linda G. said she has posted a detailed description of work groups online, for review. We will post a discussion on the topic of organizational development on the forums & further review will be made at the GA, next Tuesday, March 6th.

Midwest Conference:
AJ provided a copy of the schedule of events which is posted on the Midwest Conference website. Housing for the summit will include an encampment (no permit), foreclosed homes, individual homes, & hotels. There is an Occupy Bus available for rides. Linda G. has also posted a ride-share for OSI online. Chris W will post this event on the OSI calendar.

General Assembly Minutes

Chris B. facilitator
Mary E. & Shelly B. minutes

Book Club postponed until next fall. We can have more participants & it will be a good fall/winter activity.

Organizational Development:
To further streamline OSI functions & communication channels, Drew & Linda presented a descriptive template for OSI workgroups. Work group descriptions include fundraising, direct action, media, & education. A copy of the work group descriptions will be posted online for review. A vote on accepting this work group proposal will be presented at next Thursday’s, March 1st, GA.

Angel announced this event, “Occupy Monsanto,” & will be attending with MoveOn.org at the Monsanto Headquarters in St. Louis, this Wednesday, February 29th .

Ride Share to Midwest Conference in St. Louis
Linda created a ride-share sign-up sheet for OSI. This will be posted online.

Food Drive & Progressive Income Tax Picket this Saturday
A reminder of the food drive & picket from 1-2:00.

Introducing a Progressive Income Tax Bill or Resolution
Chris B. may be in a position to speak to a Senator or Senator’s aid concerning the introduction of this bill. The SEIU members present believed that this could be very feasible.

BloNo
This Wednesday, February 28th, Occupy BloNo will be in the Capitol regarding Capping Auto Loans & Title Loans at 36%. They will begin at 2:30 in the Rotunda & have requested our support and attendance at 4:30 in the Committee Meeting. Sunny Garcia of BloNo will be there. He has supported two of our Springfield actions & we should reciprocate & support BloNo at this Committee Meeting.

Ask Occupy & Occupy Education at UIS
Prior to the Thursday, March 1st, 7pm Ask Occupy panel, a Occupy Education Rally will be held on campus from 5pm -6:30pm. Chris B is asking for professors & their classes to support the rally. Our attendance would be useful.

Bill Ayers Occupies the Golden Frog Café
North side of Old State Capitol, Tuesday, March 6th
Limited seating of 70. Tickets are $15 each, & are being offered to OSI members first, but get them before their gone!!!

The Pharmacy
Art Show Open House
South Grand & Pasfield, March 10th will be having a contest with the grand prize of a free one month membership for use of studio space. While attending the event, you write down the name of the person who sent you there. In our case, it would be Drew & if enough people show up, our OSI member gets a Pharmacy membership. Lets take advantage of this opportunity!

Contemporary Art Presentation
Free: 3pm, this Sunday, February 26th (It will be videotaped).

OSI Info Pamphlets & Event Flyers
We need to make sure to bring our pamphlet materials to all public events.
Future event flyers need to be present during current events.

Event promotion
We agreed that we need more people to help with event promotions.

OSI Public Facebook Page
Mary M. was voted as an administrator for this page.

OSI Armbands
Ryan M. is creating arm bands for OSI members. The hat was passed for reimbursement of arm band materials.

AFSME building
A request was made for a sign posted that let’s folks know that we’ve moved.

Our comrade, Mike M.
Mike is back in St. John’s for further surgery. We wish for a speedy recovery & hope they got it right, this time around.

General Assembly Minutes

Chris B. facilitating.
Shelley B. minutes

New person introduced (Luke) and hand signals were gone over.

5/5/12 @ 5pm SEIU media seminar invitation was reiterated. (Details in 02/14 minutes)

The event for 2/25 concerning promoting a progressive tax as opposed to the flat tax in conjunction with our food drive , before the ask occupy event was discussed. A picket line @ the Old State Capitol during the food collection 1-2 pm was agreed upon. research the progressive tax for sign material.

SEIU asked if we could prepare 50 Occupy T-shirts for them to wear before then. UIS can silkscreen T-shirts ($10 /screen 1color /screen, $1/shirt ,$1/color?). Armbands were suggested as an alternative.

5/1/12 Occupy Education action w/RSU  prior to Ask Occupy event, was discussed. More info on map grants , List of issues for fliers , suggestions and examples for fliers were requested.

New meeting spaces were brought up. It was agreed that Gallinas would be used for the next 2 meetings at least while another location is searched out.

Buttons were discussed. Supplies for buttons were not available yet but would be soon (not for 25th action)

An invitation to a meeting with MoveOn  (Joann Conrad and Dee Dawson) @ 2pm @ 13 Red Oak lane was extended to us through Angel.

General Assembly Minutes

Results of the Foodraiser were given , the effectiveness of the Foodraiser was questioned in light of the lack of media as was the ongoing food drive. It was determined that the food raised, as well as the outreach the action offered was a worthy  effort.

SEIU invited us to their media training seminar on 5/5/2012 @5pm @ 600 s 4th St.

AFSCME will be engaged in bargaining meetings and as a result we will be required to find another meeting place after Thursday’s meeting (2/16). Various buildings were suggested and the persons who suggeated them offered to inquire as to their availability and return their findings @ the 2/16 meeting.

More information on the action with SEIU on the 25th was requested.

(Homeless) Joe’s progress was noted and Drew’s cell number was passed out for contact.

A discrepancy in  the meeting time written in the IL times was noted. It lists 7pm. We later learned that the IT’s calendar only does 30 minute increments.

Jim said they were going to have a meeting with Schocks office about unemployment benefits.

AJ said he noticed a meeting @ LLCC, “compost symposium,” at a cost of $30 to attend 12-4 & 2/15

AJ noted that  Kathy Kelly will be doing a Teach-in tentatively 3/22 @ The Pharmacy

Time limit for requesting Teach-ins or entertainers for Occupy The Midwest conference will be next week.

General Assembly Minutes

Bill shared information on OSI getting a PO Box, gave paperwork to Chris T. Also reminded folks to bring out signs tomorrow.

Chris T. brought flyers and spoke about them. It was noted that we should try to design flyers that will use more white space and less toner.

Athony spoke again on the topic of foreclosures along with Jerry. We need to get foreclosure statistics on Springfield. The idea was mentioned that we might start a “Support group” for those foreclosed on and those undergoing foreclosure. We may possibly have an action on this the 25th, planned around our “Ask Occupy” event. Workgroup formed and we will do a rally from 1 – 2pm on the 25th.

Discussed possible actions based around drawing attention to austerity measures and regarding a graduated income tax. There will be a budget speech in Illinois from the governor on the 22nd.

Jim mentioned that UI extension benefits will run out on the 17th, talked about meeting at 5pm at Aaron Schock’s office for this.

Chris B. brought up “Occupy Education” on the 1st of March. RSU already has a permit on the UIS campus for the “Ask Occupy” event this day, we could just arrive early for a rally on this topic. Also advised that Holly Kent will be doing a Teach-in for us on Women & Gender Studies. More information forthcoming.

Showed everyone the Ward Churchill flyer for the RSU event.

Chris T. mentioned that domain names can be purchased for $10 and we already have unlimited hosting. So anytime we want we could quickly and easily create an entire website devoted to topics of our choice. For instance if we wanted to push for a graduated tax structure we could purchase exampleexamplegraduatedtax.com and make it an issue-specific informational website.

$23.00 was collected from the passing of the hat.

Chris Woo facilitating

1. Calling on people who do not speak up more was brought up as being included in  another form of facilitation

2 . A proposal by Rep Elaine Necrite to change the criminal code concerning the recording of police officers in the course of their duty in public space 729 ILCs 5/14-3  HB3944 was  discussed . The support of this proposed bill by OSI and our requesting the support of other occupations in Illinois was requested. Passed by unanimous agreement.

3. A question was posed as to what time the press was expected to attend the Foodraiser. It was noted that Black sheep, and at least one other group was collecting food for the Foodraiser. The printing and passing of fliers @ shopping center was requested… as were large signs for the plaza. Signs to include the 100 /plate vs cans of food for the hungry idea. Reading the press release before hand was requested.
* reading all future press releases and speaking accordingly was proposed.

4. Obama 5 yr ” hope and change ” speech  anniversary picket @ 2pm 2/10/12 was set

5.  Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist church fundraiser concert by Charlie King “songs for the 99%” was noted

6. A second protest concerning unemployment extension expiration with trades and labor @ Schocks office 2/17 (tentatively) was brought to the table.

7. It was noted that the printer and a replacement toner kit is on the way and that we need paper for which approval of purchase was asked and agreed to. Woo’s naked head was in attendance as the hat was passed…!

8. Progress report on Homeless Joe was given. He will soon have his LINK benefits and some mental health care and a trip to Danville to see his family.  Volunteers to drive were taken.

9. Saturdays minutes were requested.

10. 2/8 a movie @ the library “At the River” was brought to our attention and Jim said he would make fliers to pass out there if someone would be there to pass them out

11. Book club@ Andiamos Sunday 3/4 12-2 pm was announced. Please have Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” read and come join us!

12.Physical occupation and setting a date prior to march 15 St. Louis discussed.

1. Fliers were discussed

2. Foreclosures and forestalling foreclosure for people currently in possession of their homes was brought up.

3. Busing and annexing parts of the city was discussed …5 million dollar ceiling has been set by state statute on spending has been set. There is an informational meeting @ 630  on the 5th floor of the Meyers bldg .

4. Writing letters to the YMCA was offered. It was suggested that finding out when board appointments were being made and trying to get someone appointed

5. Teach-in 1st week in March in cooperative communication has been arranged and support was requested to be discussed with Chris

6. Getting a PO box was suggested.

7. Work on foreclosed homes was brought up. Some legal issues were noted and the idea was discussed. Further discussion was requested for next GA

8. Going to Indiana for their event was brought up.

9. Starhawk’s books and  Rules for Radicals were suggested as reading material for ALL group members .

10. Friday 2/10 action4-6pm was discussed.

General Assembly
Drew- facilitator    Mary Ellen- minutes

3 new folks, hand signals explained

Homeless advocacy:
Drew updated that a state ID & social security income has been secured, as well as working with shelter staff toward transitional housing & arrangement of visit/reunion with downstate family members. Appointments with health agency begin next week.

Foreclosures:
Anthony discussed the foreclosure issue. 8.5 million Americans have been affected by foreclosures, & Springfield has its share. (For instance, one individual has purchased 125 homes contract for deed in Spfd & has never made payments to the bank). If we are to plan a direct action regarding Spfld foreclosures, it must be strategically planned, including an outline of steps that integrate press, public education, support from other organizations, & legalities. After outlining these steps, we need to analyze the pros & cons of each step to see if we are capable of accomplishing them. While doing direct action, we need to organize with other groups working simultaneously in the legislative arena. One example would be to occupy & restore a foreclosed home with the goal of bringing the family back home. Anthony will further research this issue.

Campaign 2012 Food-Raiser, Friday, February 10:
A food-drive will be held at the south-east side (6th St.) of the Old State Capitol Public Plaza, Friday from 4pm-6pm. This food-raiser coincides with the annual Lincoln Day, Sang. Co. Republican fundraiser (which is $100 a plate, & another $100 for picture with keynote speaker, Ted Nugent).  Chris B will send a press release to the local press, as well as SEIU & AFSME. We need a good turn-out of bodies & signage for our presence & working crew, but more importantly, we need a large turn-out of the community to support this food-raiser. Proceeds will go to the (slim-pickin’s) food pantry at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, if there is ample supply, the surplus will go to the Grace Lutheran Food Pantry. Ongoing monthly food-raisers were discussed to occur on the same site, preceding the Saturday GA’s. We can also access various grocery stores that donate food. Donations will be distributed to local food pantries.

Teach-In with Bob Sipe:
Chris B affirmed that Bob Sipe will be participating with us in How to Run A Consensus Group to OSI folks sometime in February. Later, after working with our group, he will present a public teach-in on the topic.

Outreach:
Chris B announced the public events, Ask Occupy Springfield, with an OSI informational panel.
There will be an hour available to public questions for panel members, followed by an informal meet & greet with all OSI members. Anthony, Deanna, Cilla, Chris B & Jeff are the panel members.
The outreach events will be held Sat, Feb 25, 4:30 – 6:30, Lincoln Library, Carnegie Rm. North, & Thur, Mar 1st, 7 – 9, UIS, Public Affairs Center, Rooms C & D.

Campus Outreach:
Chris B announced that the UIS, RSU will be presenting Ward Churchill, How to Foster Radical Activism on Campus, (introduction by Bob Sipe) on Wed, Mar 21st on the UIS campus.

Midwest Regional Conference:
AJ updated us with info from the conference working groups. The deadline for submitting proposals of keynote speakers, entertainers, or teach-ins will be the 3rd week of February. Jello will be performing on Sat, Ward Churchill will speak on the last day.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
A picket will be held at the Old State Capitol, South Side Public Plaza from 2-4 this Friday.

Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF):
Join in solidarity with the peace picketers at the downtown federal building, 6th & Monroe, from noon to one every Saturday.

Occupy the Family:
Laura is organizing a working group to meet-up, network & discuss issues that affect family life.