GA/Minutes

Here is an archive of all General Assemblies held by Occupy Boston.

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[Note: we are missing Mins files for the following dates Sept 27th - Oct 4th, Oct 6th - 8th and Oct. 11th, 12th and the 14th. For details on how to help fill the gaps check out this discussion]

November 2011

#31 Sun Nov 6

[task: add summary here]

#29 Thurs Nov 3

Proposals Passed:

• Legal team will be preparing an injunction on our behalf to prevent BPD from evicting us from Dewey Square.
• Winterization will be purchasing one large tent to replace our current kitchen tent, more tents to follow if this one works out.
• Financial Accountability WG will license a DBA in the name of Occupy Boston.
• Paul Carnes & Sydney Sherrell are officially banned from speaking for Occupy Boston and are Removed from the camp.

#28 Tues Nov 1

[task: add summary here]

October 2011

#26 Sat Oct 29 @ South Station and Enuncuentro5

Proposal passed by GA, brought by Safety Working Group:
NOTE: The document is a "living document," this is part of the proposal that we passed at GA. A living document is an evolving thing; Safety intends for its team to continue to evolve its practices according to the needs of the camp. If you would like to offer revisions or suggestions, that's cool; this author thinks that Safety Working Group might be the best place to direct your suggestions. There are discussion pages on here and lots of other places to put your ideas. Please DO NOT edit the above file that contains the proposal that was passed at GA; we need it up here for our records of what GA actually passed!

GA #25 Thurs Oct 27

[task: add summary here]
The transcript reports the portion of GA that took place offsite, indoors, at Encuentro5.

GA #24 Tues Oct 25

[task: add summary here]
This GA included a lively 30 minute discussion of the financial impropriety associated with Paul Fetch/Paul Carnes' involvement in Occupy Boston.

GA #23 Sun Oct 23

Tonight the general assembly was a short one. One proposal and the whole thing complete within a half-hour. The proposal was created by a pop-up working group called the "Statement of Purpose Working Group" which was created today specifically to catalyze the GA into accepting a statement. This group was disbanded after its success, and the future is open to those who wish to come forth with their own proposals. The accepted amendments proposed by the general assembly were grammatical. The amendments denied were not necessary for GA approval.

This proposal was democratically voted by consensus of near 100%.

The proposal is as follows:

"We the people who have occupied Dewey Square, under the name Occupy Boston, have done so in order to maintain a place, where all voices are welcome for the open discussion of ideas, grievances, and potential solutions to the problems apparent in our society. We are and will be holding general assemblies where proposals may be brought to the group as a whole, to be consented to. We have and will continue to occupy this space for the purpose of DEMOCRACY."

Two representatives from the Homeless Working Group got on the open mike after the GA to tell their stories of poverty. This was followed by a musical combustion on stage.

GA #22 Sat Oct 22

[task: add summary here]

GA #21 Thurs Oct 20

-The GA ratified a proposal by the Facilitation Working Group:

• The Facilitators Working Group (FWG) proposes, starting on Sunday, October 23, that OccupyBoston move to a schedule of conducting General Assembly on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and in case of emergencies.
• The FWG proposes that all Working Groups hold at least one publicly accessible, weekly meeting -- except Legal WG, whose meetings are necessarily confidential. The day and time and place of the meeting is to be posted on the OccupyBoston website, and made available to the Info tent and the Media scheduling boards. The meeting will be facilitated as a horizontal democracy using a consensus decision-making process. During the non-GA evenings, there will be facilitated discussions and debates starting 7pm, on issues that interest the Occupy Boston community. Topics for these non-GA nights should be proposed in advance by individuals or Working Groups during General Assembly.
• The FWG offers its services to all Working Groups who wish to be trained in a consensus process, and, if needed, can help Working Groups with the facilitation of their first scheduled public meeting.

The GA passed a resolution in solidarity with Occupy the Hood (see Occupyboston.org)

Announcements:

• Tech -- Sat from noon to nineish we'll be training WG to set up email lists, addresses, domain names, etc.
• Outreach -- there are flyering kits for various events at the flying table. Contact us at occupybostonoutreach@gmail.com, also at the welcome area
• Occupy boston globe -- Kickstarter is close to 6K of 8K! still need presses to donate printings or discount printings. if anyone knows of any presses please come find me!
• We also need more writers, we need profiles from the camp, local stories, stories of economic disenfranchisement, disconnect w/ elected representatives, and Occupies around MA. Also we need liaisons from WGs, we need info from you to post. When we print dailies, this is how to get info out! Email us at submit@occupybostonglobe.com, or e-mail me at danieljoshuaschneider3@gmail.com
• DA has two actions planned this weekend. Friday we are going to this thing in MA. Meet here at 4:30! We'll take the silver line. Saturday we will be doing something in cooperation with OtH at the police station by the Ruggles stop. It is National Stop Police Brutality day. Meet here at 11.
• Free School University: Meeting sat at 3p; we need more volunteers and someone here Tue Wed Thurs for daytime help. Even one person any day, half a day, whenever you can be there.

GA #20 Wed Oct 19

Informal GA due to rain, guided by one or two facilitators and not making official decisions. Not enough Facilitators to facilitate a formal GA.

GA #19 Tues October 18

Native Solidary Group reads UAINE's response to Occupy Boston's Statement of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples (endorsed Oct. 8)
--GA tables Direct Action's proposal to rent a charter bus for traveling to other Occupy cities
--GA tables proposal for Occupy Boston color (blue, and purple discussed, both tabled)
--GA tables individual proposal for Mission Statement of Occupy Boston.
--Media Working Group meeting (all can attend) 9pm tomorrow (Wednesday 10/20)
--Noam Chomsky will speak on SATURDAY (not Wednesday) see occupyboston.org.
--Thursday night (time TBA, see Media releases) Roxbury event: Hibernian Hall event celebrating Roxbury organizing
-- The Asheville (NC) Tranzmission Prison Project is doing a tour and has
agreed to do a workshop for occupyboston folk. They would like to do
this workshop at 2pm on Saturday the 22nd and meet at the Gandhi
statue. At this point, there is limit to the amount of people who can
attend.

GA #18 Mon Oct 17

-GA ratifies Tech Working Group (OBIT)'s proposal towards security measure:

"For both security and political reasons, the Occupy Boston Information Technology (OBIT) Working Group proposes that all working groups move off of Google Groups and onto mailing lists hosted by May First/People Link. In addition, and for the same reasons, we propose using our own domain—occupyboston.org—for working-group email addresses. This transfer should occur by November 1, with training and support supplied by OBIT."

-Finance Working Group announces formation of the Finance Accountability Group, meetings open to all
-Noam Chomsky will speak on Wednesday Oct 19 at 6:15 before GA.
-Direct Action in planning for an event on National Police Brutality Day, Saturday.
-Free School University events (see their events calendar on www.occupybostonglobe.com)
-Labor event [needs to be edited]
-Individual Proposal of a "Declaration of Occupation" presented to GA, retracted for further work.
--Individual Proposal Roadmap to Horizontal Democracy and Economic Justice.

GA #17 Sunday, October 16th 2011 @Camp

Short GA tonight (Working Group announcements and individual announcements only) due to Anti-Racism and Oppression workshop.

GA #16 Sat Oct 15

The GA passed a proposal from the Finance Working re:accountable and transparent finance system for Occupy Boston. TBA on Finance Working Group's page.
Outreach: We are seeking 100 supporters to join eviction blockade with City LIfe / Vida Urbana this Monday. Monday 10/17, there will be an eviction blockade and rally at a home that is being foreclosed on in Malden. Contact: Katie (katie.gradowski@gmail.com) or with Nicole at the direct action.
Tech: There is now a new "I'm being arrested" App for download. Check Tech Working Group site for info.

GA #15 Fri Oct 14

[task: mins file]
Short GA due to rain.
Passed proposal to reschedule Anti-Opression workshop to Sunday.
Proposal brought that OB participate in Sunday's World Food Day. By this time, we did not have quorum.

GA #14 Thursday, October 13

GA passed Resolution:

United with the World for Global Democracy

On 15th October 2011, united in our diversity, united for global change, we demand global democracy: global governance by the people, for the people. Inspired by our sisters and brothers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, New York, Palestine-Israel, Spain and Greece, we too call for a regime change: a global regime change. In the words of Vandana Shiva, the Indian activist, today we demand replacing the G8 with the whole of humanity – the G 7,000,000,000.
Undemocratic international institutions are our global Mubarak, our global Assad, our global Gaddafi. These include: the IMF, the WTO, global markets, multinational banks, the G8G20, the European Central Bank and the UN Security Council. Like Mubarak and Assad, these institutions must not be allowed to run people’s lives without their consent. We are all born equal, rich or poor, woman or man. Every African and Asian is equal to every European and American. Our global institutions must reflect this, or be overturned.
Today, more than ever before, global forces shape people’s lives. Our jobs, health, housing, education and pensions are controlled by global banks, markets, tax-havens, corporations and financial crises. Our environment is being destroyed by pollution in other continents. Our safety is determined by international wars and international trade in arms, drugs and natural resources. We are losing control over our lives. This must stop. This will stop. The citizens of the world must get control over the decisions that influence them in all levels – from global to local. That is global democracy. That is what we demand today.
Today, like the Mexican Zapatistas, we say “¡Ya basta! Aquí el pueblo manda y el gobierno obedece”: Enough! Here the people command and global institutions obey! Like the Spanish Tomalaplaza we say “Democracia Real Ya”: True global democracy now!” Today we call the citizens of the world: let us globalise Tahrir Square! Let us globalise Puerta del Sol!
Follow it on Facebook from October 14th: http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-for-Global-Democracy/281998261825102

Discuss it on Twitter with the hashtag #globaldemocracy
Endorsements: Noam Chomsky,Vandana Shiva, Eduardo Galeano, Michael Hardt, Naomi Klein, Tim Gee, Nicola Vallinoto- Council member of the World Federalist Movement, ATTAC Spain, ATTAC France, Egality London, Egality Berlin, War on Want – London, Globalise Resistance – London, Uncut UK, Uncut Italy, DRY International, Gaia Foundation, Democracia Real – Argentina, General Assembly Puerta del Sol – Madrid, General Assembly London, General Assembly Buenos Aires, General Assembly Sao Paulo, General Assembly Manchester

GA #13 Wed Oct 12

[task: mins file and summary]

GA #12 Tues Oct 11

[task: mins file and summary]

GA #11 Mon Oct 10 @Camp

[task: summary]

GA #10 Sun Oct 9

[task: summary]

GA #9 Sat Oct 8

[task: mins file and summary]

Occupy Boston Ratifies Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

The following resolution was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011:

RESOLUTION: Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Boston being the ancestral land of the Massachusett people; and

WHEREAS, members of the First Nations have continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and

WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and
As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and to members of First Nations who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Boston” aspires to “Decolonize Boston” with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples; and
Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite members of the First Nations to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent. We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land; and

We hereby declare that Columbus Day should be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

GA #8 Friday, October 7

[task: mins file and summary]

GA #7 Thursday, October 6

1. Agreed that Corporate Personhood could be included in a document that includes other issues of concern to OB. that document will be brought back to GA for approval
2. Agreed to a Halloween food drive to get canned goods instead of candy

GA #6 Thurs Oct 5

1. The GA agreed to "support the facilitators" [task: more detail required]
2. The GA agreed to be more active in the reduction of the use of disposable plates/utensils to the minimum levels logistically possible.
3. The GA agreed to transfer management of disposable plates/utensils to Logistics after a new wash station is setup.
4. The GA agreed to change the following hand signs:
   
   1. The sign for “point of process” is now touching the tips of your two index fingers together up in front of your body.
      
   2. The sign for “block” is now crossing your arms and holding them over your head.
      
   3. The sign for “friendly amendment” is now holding up you index and middle fingers in a v-shape, like the “peace” sign.
5. Friday’s GA agenda will begin – before announcements or anything other than introductory process – with a proposal from a group of local youth who wants to work with us.

GA #5 Tues Oct 4

[task: mins file and summary]

GA #4 Mon Oct 3

1. Garbage organizing is at noon and at 8pm
2. There will be a GA every morning at 10:30 and every night at 19:00
   

Video of GA 3 Oct. 2011

GA #3 Sun Oct 2

[task: mins file and summary] (2 hrs + 38 min)
Video of GA 2 Oct 2011 (3 hrs + 5 min)

GA #2 Sat Oct 1

1. Curfew for night time noise – what time was it set for?
2. Wakeup call what time was is set??
3. There will be a march every morning and every evening around south station to welcome commuters (what time are these? This needs to be widely known so the general public always knows there is something to participate in)

September 2011

GA #1 Fri Sept 30

1. Consensus equals no less than 75%
2. Individual stack is 2 min per person
3. GAs will include updates from all working groups
4. The camp is sober
5. Smoking area is on the road side of the camp

Pre GA: Sept 27-29

GA Planning #3 - Thursday, September 29 @ Encuentro 5

[task : summary]

GA Planning #2 - Wednesday, September 28 @ Boston Commons

1. Each group or individual can make whatever posters and flyers they want
2. we will not disrupt the march on Friday and the occupation is to start at 6PM right after the march at the park
3. we will not seek a permit from the police

GA Planning #1 - Tuesday, September 27 @ Boston Commons

1. The occupation is to begin on Friday the 30th and will take place in dewy sq
2. Establish working groups:
   • Legal (Training, safety, and the law of the land)
   • Food (Everyone needs to eat)
   • Arts and Culture (Occupation can be boring – the entertainment committee!)
   • Outreach (Boots on the ground, flyers, and liaise with Boston communities and colleges)
   • Media (PR and media relations with news organizations – external. Social media and blogging – internal)
   • Medical (In case of emergency)
   • Logistics (Who, What, When, How)