Tent City/Safety/Community Wellness/Minutes/21 Oct 2011

____     Summary of Action Items ---      Upcoming Meetings [already occurred] _____     Meeting Notes:  Present: R: Ruth N: Nuri Ra: Rachel  C: Clara  E: Eric  J: Jennie     Defining What we're doing here  Why are we here? R: Keeping the community together N: witnessing conflict, interpersonal and between working groups. Facilitating group discussion within groups to decompress and work out what's been happening R: we want to create a safe space to ask questions, witness internal conflict. Stopping the gossip and rumor mill. We need people to feel safe. Let's think about the scope of our work. R: Security issues, general confusion C: Do we approach people? J: Yes, I think so. Example of the "Moon" in my collective house: either 2 people or groups can come to this person to mediate a conflict, or one person can approach the moon and say "How can I have this conversation with someone else? Can you help approach it with me?" R: We want this movement not to become a bust-it-up festival E: in specific instances, should we be proactive? Temperature check: Yes C: It's important to remember we don't want to add to tension  E: We're offering services to folks. N: we're really inviting people and offering it, not saying "you need us to mediate." We should be proactive because those who need it might not seek us out. Name Suggestion: Community Wellness: Mediation and Conflict Evolution =) We want to run skill building workshops, teaching folks empathetic communication  R: This terminology changes the stigma on conflict resolution     Types of Tension we're seeing in Camp  Females feel uncomfortable in camp (there is a women's safe space in the works!)  Ra: We should consider setting guidelines for what's appropriate in our community space     Kicking people out--the mechanics of that.  Can we do effective mediation? If so, how?  Ra: We need to have a few more conversations. Knows social workers than might be able to help train us.  N: Chloe is a social worker! Yay!  E: It may be necessary to remove folks, even if we don't like it. There's simply issues we're not able to handle. But we should help point them in a good direction.  Ra: A working group for decisions  R: We should include the GA in how decisions are made to get folks in the loop. It's not clear at the moment. Clarifying question: it's not a GA in the moment to kick people out. But rather having them decide on the process J: We should create a proposal  ACTION ITEM: Draft proposal tonight  N: Example, Sunday when the man pulled the knife. He tried to step in and ask the safety folks what their plan was for next time. It's purely reactionary right now. It needs to be more proactive. Guys in black masks reacting in the moment is scary. R: Most evictions if not all have taken place to due drugs and folks not really part of the movement. I think we need steps. N: We want people to leave camp peacefully and with dignaty. Trying to help folks understand that each other are not assholes, even when they're acting like it. R: Lots of egos flair in these moments J: There's a defensiveness on the camp's part as well  N: It's going to be a difficult conversation. Many are beligerant. Can we get expert training? ACTION ITEM: Everyone research fact finding on expert training in dealing with this. N: This comes after the proposal, though, I think/ R: It's still good information for everyone in the community  J: Identifying ourselves? Decide White Arm Band. ACTION ITEM: Jennie will look into white arm bands. N: Some of the chaplains may be interested in participating. Temperature check: we're all good. Working on Proposal about Evictions We all agree: it must include context, where we're coming from, why  N: Should include what kinds of infractions will lead to eviction and what will lead to a mediation process. What are things we do not support in our community space? Drug and alcohol us, violence and overt aggression--things that endanger the community and the movement    What will lead to evictions? Weapon and a direct threat Stealing  Sexual harassment of the physical variety, and this is not meant to undermine verbal assault  Extreme unique circumstances that endanger our community     What will lead to a mediation process if they want to remain in camp? Physical aggression without a weapon Heated verbal aggression towards person or property  Verbal and sexual harassment  language that endangers a person's sense of safety such as discriminatory language with aggressive intent. What does the process look like? N: Steps! First should be to assess the situation -must hear each individual's story apart from each other  -must ask: do you want to remain in camp? -must ask: do you understand why you're being asked to leave? If someone has been violated, can we provide emergency funds for them to get somewhere safe? ACTION ITEM: Jennie will talk to Logistics on funds    What about second chances? Must ask: are you willing to modify your behavoir? do you give your work to be immediately evicted if you do not work towards change? Must ask: How can we support you in modifying your behavior? For the victim, Must ask: will you leave if we give this person a second chance? Must ask: how can we support you in staying? Mediator should have list of resources for those asked to leave camp. ACTION ITEM: Everyone research resources! We need to create a place to have this conversation. ____     Summary of Action Items ---      Upcoming Meetings [already happened]
 * Facilitate Groups Conversations Proposal (Nuri)
 * Fact finding training (All)
 * White Arm Bands (Jennie)
 * Assemble list of Resources for evicted and victims (All)
 * Mediation Space (Ruth)
 * Finance Questions (Jennie)
 * Email Notes and create email/google groups (Jennie)
 * Draft proposal (Rachel)
 * Friday 10 pm, meet at Ghandi
 * Sunday 11:30 am, meet at Ghandi
 * Facilitate Groups Conversations Proposal (Nuri)
 * Fact finding training (All)
 * White Arm Bands (Jennie)
 * Assemble list of Resources for evicted and victims (All)
 * Mediation Space (Ruth)
 * Finance Questions (Jennie)
 * Email Notes and create email/google groups (Jennie)
 * Draft proposal (Rachel)
 * Friday 10 pm, meet at Ghandi
 * Sunday 11:30 am, meet at Ghandi