Minutes

Occupy Venice Minutes

3-26-12 OV GA Minutes * 7pm

Facilitator: Sarah F; Stacker: Rita; Minutes: Mike; Timer: Mariska

13 peeps

Announcements:

*  Chance – We may want to consider ‘Koch Bros Exposed’ as a screening event to help OV.

*  Deb – Write Whole Foods mgr in support of their efforts to feed the homeless on the boardwalk. Email is available.

*  Sarah E – 3rd Ave action went well. The 99 Poets event on 4/8 will be a potluck, not catered.

*  Mike C – Reiterated 3rd Ave report. 8 or so OV peeps joined 30+ area neighbors and members of NLG, VCHC, POWER, & Venice Community Unity. Garbage trucks were turned away around 8:30am.

*  Chris – May Day General Strike meetings afoot. Would love to host Mike Novick next Tues at 7pm at Abbot’s Habit as an OV speaker.

WG Reports:

* Arts – OLA OV Art Show needs 6 volunteers from OV (Arts WG?)

*  Action/CE – B of A flyering continues this Fri from 4-6. Occupy Garden planting on Sun at 9am.

*  Education – WG mtg will now be at 6pm at Bohemian Exchange. Uni High School is into hosting guest speakers re: food security from occupy movement.

*  Facilitation – Mtg Fri at 10:30 with Larry Ziese re: BB landscape design.

*  Finance – Budget is over $400.

*  Media – Newsletter #9 ready.

*  Social Media – OV FB/Twitter pages still under reconfiguration. Robin restricted FB Friends page to control posting & clear out non-OV folks to make way. So far so good.

*  Strategic Pl & Obj – Mission statement pending. Will be proposed for Mon GA.

*  Website – New formatting & content up. Newsletter sub service for users coming up.

WG/IndividualProposals:

*  Media/Mike C – To propose a $30 allocation for printing approx 130 copies of newsletter 9 to accommodate early AM distribution schedule for Fri. YES.

*  Facil/Chris – That Mon mtg be a Strategic Planning theme GA & that the format be streamlined to focus on the theme. Pertinent WG reports & time sensitive proposals will be allowed. YES.

*  Sarah E – To create a Unhoused/Homeless WG. Deb & Sarah E volunteered as PP. YES.

* Chris – To accept the OWS Principles of Solidarity. YES.

3-26-12 OV GA Minutes * 7pm

Facilitator: Molly; Stacker: Donna; Minutes: Mike; Timer: Chris

19 peeps

Beyond Baroque Theme GA

Announcements:

*  Lauren – Mar Vista Farmer’s Market is focus for April 22 flyering effort re: food insecurity, CALFresh, and state nutrition program outreach. The Westside Progressives panel with Occupy in Mar Vista was eventful. The panel speakers were good & more or less rep’d the movement. The moderation was decent. Councilman Rosenthal showed up and tried to curry favor with the Occupiers & some in the audience responded with mic checking. Rosenthal may sponsor a version the NYC resolution re: fighting suppression of the occupy movement.

*  Sarah F – 100 Mile Meal is on March 31st at Learning Garden. OV given a slot to speak. 2) OV invited to contribute to Uni High School Forest Room gig on April 22.

*  Mike W – 1) Hoodie march was epic in Leimert Park. New Dissident Radio is online. Mike mentioned OV on Green Good Witch Program.

*  Mike C – Activist Support Circle happening Wed night at 7pm at 1440 Harvard with organizer Mike Novick. Goal of meeting is to prevent activist burnout.

*  Deb – Article re: homelessness will be in the April Venice Beachhead. Topanga Earth Day table needs OV peeps. VCHC mtg went well.

*  Sarah E – VCHC meeting on Sat was good. Some from 3rd Ave sweep want to find way to file incident reports from LAPD raid.

*  Alivia – ‘Swap Not Shop’ Wal-Mart event with Occupy Torrance & Occupy Long Beach coming together.

*  Donna – Sat, April 14th with be a collage workshop from noon-5 at the Factor House on Dimmick. Cost is $10. Unaffiliated event that will benefit OV.

WG Reports:

* Arts – New logos ready. 99% Citizens United Art Show happening on Sat the 31st as well from noon-6pm on La Brea. Good response to OLA OV Art Show so far.

*  Action/CE – B of A flyering continues this Fri from 4-6. Some members of OV participated in Occupy San Fernando Valley B of A lobby occupation last week. OLA Gen Strike mtg is Tues east of downtown at 7pm. Pier-to-Pier Ride tonight at midnight.

*  CO/Events – Occupy Garden planting on Sun at 9am.

*  Demands – WG meetings upcoming.

*  Education – WG mtg will now be at 6pm at Bohemian Exchange. Uni High School is into hosting guest speakers re: food security from occupy movement.

*  Facilitation – Coordination BB transition & logistics effort.

*  Finance – Budget is over $400.

*  Media – May Day ad to be in April Beachhead.

*  Social Media – OV FB pages still under reconfiguration. New FB adms stepping up as well (Alivia, Deb).

*  Strategic Pl & Obj – New mission statement

*  Website – New additions coming

WG/IndividualProposals:

*  Media/Mike C – To approve the latest version of Good/Bad/Ugly for newsletter. New ‘Good’ ideas were Obama support for new World Bank appointee; pro PO legislation HR 3591 & S1853. Accepted friendly amendment to reconsider content via Googlegroups.

*  SP&O/Deb – To approve the new draft of the Mission Statement. Tabled til Thurs GA.

GA Topic – Beyond Baroque:

Sarah F & Chris shared a preliminary sketch of possible mobile lawn improvements and reconfiguration of audience space. New donated foliage, an enlarged garden space, improved seating configurations, and Big Red Sun, Farmscape, a few Occupy architects, Larry Santoya, and others are interested in designing and/or assisting with installation. A fundraiser is necessary. Possible night lighting via solar power. Inaugural GA will be at April 8th for ‘99 Poets’ gig. Wish list & fundraising will be discussed in a separate group. Any changes and modifications must go through BB Board of Directors & Executive Director. May ask BB to be a potential sponsor later in process. Draft list of possible landscape & use ideas to be presented before any further discussion.

*  Sarah E – Consider a Farm-to-Fork event with donation bowls. Maybe acoustic arts events.

*  Lauren – Make the venue an encampment minus the tents. Perhaps a People’s Library, food distribution, raised bed gardens, and special events that respects BB. Larry Santoya best option OLA has $5000 grants for area occupies in future.

*  Rita – Outdoor wall for movies is good. Maybe indoor film venue is possible. Has building materials.

*  Alivia – Host a once a month food market swap.

*  Mike W – Once layout is created, we’ll need a wish list of resources and donation needs for venue and landscaping. Repurposed material is an ideal focus. Can assist with landscaping effort. Has big truck for transit if needed & has tools. Please ask neighbors re: any

*  Mike L – Jerry may have some good size trees for property if allowable. More donations if other groups are allowed to use it.

*  Jed – VNC has up to $2000 grants for community projects.

*  Mark L – Open venue may attract homeless from area parks and beach. Could be an issue.

Ideas re: decorum and proximity concerns:

1)  Time and noise issues are factors.

2)  Hit up BB crew re: limitations as use rules.

3)  No smoking zone or on sidewalk.

4)  Peace patrol for venue management.

5)  Alcohol discouraged for GAs.

6)  Coordinate with BB to determine any neighborhood issues.

7)  Acoustics are a consideration.

8)  Amplified sound requires a permit with no music after 10pm.

9)  Animal regs & loud drums are a possible issue.

10)        Use & conduct expectations need to be addressed.

Ideas re: April 8th event:

1)  BB put event on their calendar.

2)  Starts at 1pm. Can access venue at noon.

3)  OV should become a member of BB. Individuals are encouraged.

4)  99 Poets will be in entire BB building, upstairs & downstairs.

5)  Event will run 6-7 hours. OV GA re: Art themes will follow.

6)  Inexpensive food is key. Potluck format.

7)  Outreach ideas needed. Should press be invited?

8)  Flyering Abbot Kinney on 1st Fridays prior to gig.

9)  Possible help with OLA. KPFK for intws & on-site.

10)        Other activist groups like POWER & M1GS have been invited.

11)        Jessie & Kat as on-site screeners?

12)        Musicians can be invited for peripheral performances on lawn.

13)        Need bike lockup accommodations.

14)        Space is donated. Pass the hat fundraising.

15)        Need OV literature. Email PDF flyer to

16)        FB invite evolving.

17)        Need organizing mtg ASAP – Friday? Schedule via email.

18)        Need to create list of add’l activities and possible volunteer opportunities.

19)        AWG will discuss Wed eve with follow up on Friday.