ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. A. Barrow - shared three issues discussed with a law firm in San Jose regarding the rules for assemblies.

• reported on the work of Barbara H. regarding a candlelight service as a memorial for people who have died homeless. The event is planned for 12/21/2011 at the courthouse and the time will be posted on the occupy site calendar when known.  They are seeking a permit and have discussed the county's need for wax free candles and Barbara has those.  MUSIC-- if anyone has any ideas for sources of music for the event please contact Al Barrow.

2. Any tarps, sleeping bags, or other shelter materials that were left at the courthouse and removed this week when the police served another eviction notice were made available after the general assembly today and if not claimed will be donated to the homeless shelter. 

3. Occupy LA organizer for objectives and demands will be talking this Wednesday, 11/23/2011,  at NOON at the courthouse.

REPORTS

1. Courthouse eviction- there was a notice read aloud as well as posted to the website this week to occupiers at the courthouse. Important points were a demand for non-lodging, but demonstrations are allowed at the courthouse during business hours.  Discussion ensured about the lack of clarity regarding business hours, which businesses, etc. Two lawyers have been consulted from this group regarding the above terms and discussions were shared.  The people who were occupying 24/7 have left, but occupy slo set up an information kiosk, but the police have given another notice Friday night and further defined lodging as sleeping. 

The group was reminded that anyone who is associated with Occupyslo and wants to participate needs to follow the Good Neighbor Policy consented to by the group, be non-violent, and behave in a law abiding manner.

A draft proposal for a permit for the educational kiosk has been submitted to the county with the statement that we do not know if one is required.  The county relayed they would be willing to issue one with certain conditions.  There was a request that an individual sign as responsible, but the response was that there is no one person responsible as we are an unincorporated association of people.  The permit request will be ongoing work.  

2. Direct action- There was a request to contribute to the Orphan's Thanksgiving.  There is no kitchen available a the site so it was requested that people bring food for a potluck at 4pm. 

There was discussion of endorsing a  Buy Local or Buy Nothing Campaign with demonstrations at two locations this coming Friday (Black Friday).  They will be at 6:30 am at the Madonna Overpass and at Los Osos Valley Road and Madonna Road intersection.  There will flyers available at noon at the courthouse regarding a list of local businesses.

A proposal was attempted to call our campaign Buy Local or Buy Nothing with an alternative of Buy Nothing or al least Buy Locally floated.  Discussion issues were the importance of this season to small local businesses versus a nationwide Buy Nothing campaign to call attention to the problems with  rampant consuming.  Neither version of the proposal was endorsed.  Direct Action said it had been marketing the event via Facebook and they would continue participation for those who wanted to be involved and connected to this national educational effort.

3. Communication and Education   - Those in charge of the development of the website explained that there are continuing changes to the website based on meetings this week from the Communications group. There are five main areas of work with smaller work groups feeding into those main areas. They are: 

• Communication and Education- who met on Wednesday and Friday in the previous week.
• Safety
• Logistics- proposals to better run meetings, facilitation, etc.
• Direct Action
• Finance

There will other area groups with direct links from this website, such as Occupy Cuesta and Occupy arroyo Grande Training will be developed for those needing help using the website and this will be marketed. 

Email- is convenient, but if often unmoderated, so the work group has developed and set up a list serve which you need to reply to in order to subscribe and you can choose to receive what you want from the varied groups.

To access it go to Contact us, click on follow-up, then list serve. If you have news , have written an article, or have an idea for an article you can send it to media@occupyslo.org. 

Prior to this website Facebook was a place for people to get news, but there were some non-constructive conversations.  The pros and cons of turning off the comments on the Facebook page were discussed such as negative comments' impact, problems with blocking communication in any way, and the need to consolidate people's conversations into topics. After discussion it was decided not to block the Facebook page comments, but to encourage people to engage in the work groups and five groups on the website.  It was requested that negative comments and arguments would be best if taken to private comments.  Ask and remind yourself before you post anything on the website:

•   Is this going to help?
•   Be aware that children may be reading your post.
•   Post only in accordance with the Good Neighbor Policy
•   If there is an negative or argumentative post leave it, but report it to the moderator of the group.

EDUCATION-  Desire, a participant at Cuesta and Occupyslo, has formed an OccupyCuesta Club at Cuesta.  They have faculty participation and are planning two large events. November 30th- A training about student debt- how to avoid it; if needed, where to get it; how to apply for grants and scholarships. Place and time will be posted to the website.

February 1st-  an educational panel discussion of Cuesta and Cal Poly teachers on the economic and political situation we are in, how we got here, how might we move forward is planned.  There will also be a national organizer from Move to Amend (www.movetoamend.org) which is a national effort to amend the constitution to reverse the Citizen's United Supreme Court decision that allowed corporations to give unlimited funds to political campaigns as if they are individuals.

This will be held in the auditorium which seats 1500 and there will be free parking. We want to market to all our county citizens and encourage our local leaders to attend.  Watch the website for more details and times.

PROPOSAL-  Occupyslo endorse and support these educational these events at Cuesta Community College.  PASSED

PROPOSAL-  Replace the Tuesday evening general assembly with working group meetings.  PASSED

There will still be a weekly general assembly on Saturdays at 1:30 pm at the courthouse.

OPEN MIKE- An outreach idea was presented to increase attendance and build alliances with others who share our goals. Contact people from other groups and ask them to come one Saturday per month to talk about their working interests.  These may be allied groups that might commit to help with a meeting or a march.

For example, a participant shared a handout from the California Clean Money Campaign, www.CAclean.org, that is sponsoring AB 1148, the California Disclose Act, which would require top funders of television and radio ads to appear and say they approve the message and also require the top five major funders be disclosed in a clear fashion on all ads and mailing for any ballot measures.  Another suggestion was the League of Women Voters working to expose the American Legislative Exchange Council which is supporting the recent discriminatory voter ID laws being introduced in states across the nation that suppress voter participation.

An outreach idea was suggested that resulted from some participants hearing the stories of people who have been personally impacted by the housing bubble with resulting foreclosures; high unemployment, rising health care costs, etc. Interview people and document that personal stories regarding what brought them to this occupy movement.  You can also put your personal statement on your profile at the website. 

Respectfully submitted by Candia