Occupy Queens

OQGA 10.1.2013

MINUTES OF OCCUPY QUEENS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thursday, January 10, 2013

AGENDA

1. Report backs
2. Proposals
4. Open Forum
5. Announcements

REPORT BACKS

1. Documentary Film Working Group – A new flier with the monthly films, January through June listed as well as a mini-flier of the next film, in February – Gaslands.
2. Participatory Budgeting Working Group – A large conference?? Occupy Sandy, which began with emergency relief, is now moving into development. It is in the process of trying to set up participatory budgeting in the Rockaways. District 19, encompassing the Little Neck area of Queens where Bill lives, met re budgeting; Bill attended a meeting that focused on parks in that area.
3. Flushing Meadow Coronal Park Anti-Land Grab Working Group – We are working with many other groups in Queens to oppose various private development plans (a mall, a hotel, parking lots, a Major League Soccer stadium) that would take park space away from the community, offer tax breaks to the corporate developers, and threaten the environment in numerous ways.

PROPOSALS

1. A proposal about use of the Occupy Queens list serve was presented and discussed. The proposal explains that the list serve is used to promote the positions and activities of Occupy Queens. Personal attacks or abuse of those active in OQ will not be tolerated. Over the last number of months, many people asked to be taken off the list serve resulting in a drop from about 250 people down to 168. This was largely due to a flood of accusatory e-mails from one source. The proposal suggests that there be 3 list serve moderators, any two of which may act to remove offending posts or if necessary remove person(s) from the list serve. An offender may request an appeal at the General Assembly.

Several friendly amendments to the list serve proposal were proffered and agreed to:

That the calendar on the website be used for posting events and that the list serve be used exclusively for communicating and logitical matters (e.g. date, time, location changes). That crosstalk within the list serve be strongly discouraged. Also that replies to individuals not be to the whole list serve and the 3 listserve moderators be tasked by the Internet Working Group to handle moderation of the list serve.

That discreet actions and events can be posted on the list serve, but not newsletters or links day after day.

The GA reached consensus on the following text:

Agreement regarding the OQ ListServe, website Forum, Calendar and terms for its appropriate use.

The OQ_ListServe is acknowledged to be that at OQcontact@googlegroups.com; The OQ_ListServe refers to the electronic mailing list software application, allowing a sender to send one email to the list, and then transparently sending it to the addresses of the subscribers  to the list.

The OQ_Forum is acknowledged to be that at www.occupyqueens.net > FORUMS > both SiteWide ( http://www.occupyqueens.net/forums/ )  and Group Forums ( http://www.occupyqueens.net/group-forums/ ) as well as the nested tabs and/or links within.

The OQ_Calendar is acknowledged to be that at www.occupyqueens.net > EVENTS > Calendar ( http://www.occupyqueens.net/events/calendar/ ); The nested tab: ListOfEvents ( http://www.occupyqueens.net/events/ ) provides a supplement to the OQ_Calendar; The nested tab: SubmitYourEvent ( http://www.occupyqueens.net/events/submit-your-event/ ) provides participants via their logged in OQ website account the ability to post events into the Calendar.

Occupy Queens has a responsibility to define the parameters and purpose of the ListServe and to define clearly its appropriate use, moderation, grievances and appeals procedures and to provide a clear mechanism for dealing with those who are alleged to subvert that purpose and agreed terms of use in accordance with our founding documents which currently include the Declaration, GAGuide, the OQ  Minutes, and the PrinciplesOfSolidarity.

The purpose of both the ListServe and Forum is to enhance the work of OQ in accordance with our founding documents. [ see  www.occupyqueens.net > DOCUMENTS/ ] These texts are considered living documents. Any revisions and/or additions are to be approved by the consensus of the OQ General Assembly.

The ListServe is to be used exclusively for announcements of events/actions and related logistics of a general nature (e.g. date, time, location changes of such events/actions). Posted announcements must be discreet, individual actions/events. Conglomerations of events/actions (e.g., Newsletters) are not permitted.  While a link in a post to another website to provide information for the action/event is permitted posts that repeatedly link to the same site are not. Alternatively, the use of <www.occupyqueens.net/events/calendar/> for posting community actions/events is strongly encouraged.

CrossTalk within the OQ ListServe is strongly discouraged. CrossTalk includes assertions, questions and/or concerns of approbation and critique. Such questions and/or concerns should always be addressed directly to whomever posted the item/s on the ListServe via an off list Reply to the individual who has posted the announcement as opposed to ReplyAll.

Discussion is encouraged within the OQ_Forum.

Three individuals will be tasked within the OQ_InternetWG (oq-internet-working-group@googlegroups.com) to carry out the rotating functions as the OQ_ListServe moderators. Any two of the three may act to warn, remove an offending post or, when deemed necessary (See gross violations below) to remove an individual or group from the OQ_ListServe.

Individuals or groups of people who fail to adhere to this agreement will be given a warning. Subsequent failure to respect these guidelines (two or more times) will result in removal of the offending post or, when deemed necessary, removal of the offending party (parties) from the OQ listserve.

In the event of a gross violation (i.e. an attack or abuse of an individual or group of people) a grievance may be lodged by the offended individual/s for immediate consideration by the moderators to take action, up to and including the removal of the offending party (parties) from the the OQ_ListServe.

Either the offended person(s) or the alleged offender(s) may request reconsideration at a subsequent GA.

The opportunity for any and all subsequent requests for consideration beyond that which is stipulated in this agreement is at the sole discretion of the OQGA.

2. That Occupy Queens, as a group, endorse the efforts to stop the corporate land grab of substantial parts of Flushing Meadow Park and be listed as a supporting group with the Fairness Coalition.

The General Assembly approved this proposal.

OPEN FORUM

Why wasn’t OQ at the Stop and Frisk demonstration held recently in Jackson Heights? A discussion ensued. Members of OQ were in fact there. The meaning of the recent court ruling in the Bronx on stop and frisk, was was described as good but narrow. It was reported that JH had the second largest numbers of S & F in the city and how traumatizing it is for those stopped repeatedly. It was  mentioned that the S & F working group has been planning a JH speak-out on this issue.

It was brought that there is an anti-Muslim billboard at the 42nd St. subway station. These billboards are placed by a Zionist group, possibly connected with APAC, near clocks throughout subway system. The connection between  the signs with the recent hate crime when a disturbed woman shoved a Hindi man in front of a train was noted. People felt we should do something. A Change.Org petition was suggested. It was  suggested we hold a think tank at one of the signs.  It was decided to consult with Marty Goodman; a photo will be taken of the poster; a handout will be prepared; reach out will be made to one of the Jewish groups for peace; it was suggested to reach  out to neighborhood immigrant and South Asian groups.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Various announcements were made.

Adjourned

OQGA     17.11.2012

MINUTES – Occupy Queens GA meeting- Nov 14 2012  Submitted by Carolyn
Location- Queens Pride House @ 7- 9pm; Attendance- 12
Agenda: Report Back,  Proposal, Open Forum, Announcements { Proposals set early since presently buidling closes & we need to leave by 9pm;  often run out of time.]

1. Sing Queens Occupy Song
2. Report Back
   1. Continuing raffle to raise fund for Pat’s filing fee ($346) to pursue actions against Chase to regain house in mortgage controversy
   2. Trying to do Oral History of persons who have been victims of Stop and Frisk
   3. MTA fare rise hearings scheduled
   4. ABCD information gathering – contact Bill to join group
   5. Boycott Golden Farms – need more people to demonstrate to aid effort to have employees’ union recognized by management
   6. Snug Harbor in Staten Island- priorities: Bloomberg & developers want to construct world’s  largest Ferris Wheel while tight money is causing closing of senior citizen home in Staten Island
   7. SANDY Recovery efforts: www.StatenIslandRecovery.org; Occupy Sandy- hdq at Jacobi Church and at 520 Clinton Ave: www.interoccupy.net/occupysandy.  Canarsie needs help as do the other areas; projects 110 & Far Rockaway; at  58th & Beach. BUT contact hdg first to arrange assignment to places most needing volunteers
   8. Film- Monthly Film series organized thru May for Occupy Queens and community-You can join Working Group-contact Susan L
3. Proposals (available online)
   1. Promoting civil behavior and cultural/ethnic sensitivity
      1. Louis forming WG –aim to build bridges within GA and within community to improve relations with people of color and other groups; hope to plan day long event /cultural competency training –AGREED tho final arrangements subject to funding availability and logistics
      2. Penalties considered for uncivil words, actions: TABLED
         1. Rejection from list serve use
         2. Who decides? Possibly have a 3 person moderator of list serve; 2 must agree posting is offensive and it tis taken off and matter brought to next GA
         3. List serve to be used only for announcements and logistics; other discussion to be conducted over internet Forums
         4. TABLE these matters and produce specific proposal placed online
   2. Mission Statement  -PASSED
      1. Available online as OPEN document for further comments and suggested changes
      2. Deadline – will be finalized at next GA meeting, which is to be held in 2 weeks –(no meeting on Nov 21, the day before Thanksgiving) PASSED  with 2 persons standing aside for not clear about procedures for agreeing to final statement

• STAND ASIDE 01: Participant finds…

:: this proposal is unnecessarily bureaucratic;

:: that the issue of “empowering” others is of concern. We should be creating the space for individuals to participate as they may and empower themselves;

:: that the inclusion of consensus is indefinite as it applies to the Queens GA particularly in re: to the issue of blocks by individuals as opposed to by the group;

STAND ASIDE 02: Participant finds the process for developing both the Mission Statement and Community Agreements insufficiently inclusive.  The website or listserve is not a substitute for an in depth and inclusive discussion.  Given the significance of this proposal and its potential influence on the future development of OQ  time that has been provided for open discussion should be utilized to provide the necessary face-to-face, facilitated  discussion allowing  for an inclusive, constructive process, that while actively listening to similar statements developed by other groups,  will result in statements specific and unique to Occupy Queens.

4. NEXT MEETING
   1. Wednesday, Nov 28 2012 at 7pm, most likely at Queens Pride House
   2. Film showing- “The Vanishing City” agreed to be shown on Nov 28,[ but UPDATE on Nov 15 from Susan L: co-producers are unavailable for that date, so it may be shown instead on following meeting- Dec  5]
   3. There is a good possibility that free space for meetings will be available at Renaissance School
   4. NOTE- As decided at previous meetings, there will be flexibly scheduled future meetings which will follow the general, modifiable order each month of: 1) General Assembly,2) Film presentation (these for reasons of effective publicity/outreach must be set  dates), 3)Forum, 4)Spokes/Working Groups
5. Open Forum/ Announcements – meeting closed at 9pm without time to conduct these Agenda items except as noted above.

OQGA___17102012 ::PDF

***links and hyperlinks in pdf***

Patty; Louis; AM; Walter; Cristian; Alec; Robert; Ray; David; Clemencia; Margaret;
Andres; Sumumba; Susan; ZseZa; Ramon; ++

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SANG SONG COLLECTIVELY

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AGENDA_ITEMS::
Introductions; Announcements; Report-backs; OpenForum; Proposals;
//We have to have proposals in the internet; people have to have time to think about and
consider them;
POI – technically as we have consented upon in our past GAs, proposals are to
submitted in the comments section of the yellow box anouncing the next GA
//In the interest of not creating bureaucratic hurdles; obviously we want to get these
open; not everyone has equal access to the internet; we should leave it open; We have
the option to table them for a week;
CONSENSUS:: on proposals we should talk about all the projects we are to work on;

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Went over hand signals and process

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ANNOUNCEMENTS::
//tomorrow Hot&Crust Rally; Healthcare Rally at Waldorf Astoria; Occupy Staten Island;
Free workshop on Participatory Budget; Mon 2 430 Citywide Polling
ce Brutality; Two weeks from today; transportation Protest – OCT 31st; announce
Occupy the Underground; Golden Farms;
//Medgar Evans College Rally; good rally mostly black and brown students out there; Fri
talking about Flushing Corona; Movement;
//Update about LA airport asset idea; something around the M60 line;focus on couple of
weeks; another new bus plan line will take to connect lag to the Bronx; all the way from
Norwood To Airport; the BRT along Astoria Blvd; theyʼve been working on it for a couple
OQGA___17102010
of months ; the education about the school closings 2 middle schools in the SE queens
area; from the A to C to F; fair hikes;

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//
BOYCOTT GOLDEN FARMS!
Monday-Friday Boycott Occurs between 4:00pm-7:00pm
329 Church Avenue on E. 4th. *G or F Train (Shuttle Bus)to Church Ave. or
B or Q Train to Church Avenue and then catch B35 to E.4th Street)
Daily Picket of Hot and Crusty-63rd and 2nd Avenue Manhattan, NY
Mon-Sunday-8am-8pm
***O15-October 15, 2012**-Resist All Pipelines! A National Call to Action
Against Oil and Fracked Gas Pipelines
5PM-Gansevoort & Hudson River Park
***Mon, 10/15/2012***-(Occupy Wall Street) Visions and Goals Working Group
Meeting-6:00pm-
60 Wall Street-2,3,4,5 Trains to Wall Street
***Mon, 10/15/2012***-(Occupy Wall Street) Movement Meeting 220 E. 23rd Street
6:30pm New York City, NY (between 2nd and 3rd)
N,R, OR 6 Train to 23rd Street and/or M23 (between 2nd and 3rd avenue)
also we’ll be having a Community Assembly Friday and welcome all
OQGA___17102010
Occupiers and others from the 99%-7pm/60 Wall Street
Rebuilding Occupy To Build, Connect with, and Mobilize the 99% *Community
Assembly*
Part 1 of This Community Assembly is being held to address the internal and external
issues that keep Occupy from connecting with 99% as well building consolidating plans
for ongoing actions happening all over the city.Despite some of the difficulties of OWS
in connecting with the 99%, Occu-Evolve has also been actively involved in the
neglected areas of outreach and networking between crucial working groups within
Occupy Wall Street .
Out of this assembly the creation of Solidarity statements, working re lations and
actions to and with groups like Money Out Of Politics, Labor Outreach, Vision and
Goals, Occupy The Hood, Stop Stop and Frisk, Occupy The Pipeline, Bum Rush The
Vote, FUREE (Family United for Racial & Economic Equality), New York Communities,
Occupy Participatory Budgeting, 99 Pickets and all community based Occupy
Movements are but a few examples of how Occupy can begin connecting with the
99%.The ongoing Boycotts and Picket of Golden Farm and Hot and Crusty as well as the
stopping the ‘development’ project that may happen in Corona/Flushing Meadows Park
will be discussed as well. But more solidarity actions and working relationships need to
be developed.
In Part Two of Our Assembly A 10 point statement addressing the current level of
functioning and effectiveness of the structures and community that OWS has created
improving and/or replacing them will be presented for consenting to Assembly. This
statement will be but the beginning of a revisioning process for Occupy Wall Street to
assist our movement in becoming a mass movement that truly represents the 99%.
//
Protect Parkland at Flushing Meadows – Corona Park
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Now we need your help in telling Mayor Bloomberg to protect Flushing
Meadows-Corona Park.
Please take a moment to sign the petition at:

http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-michael-bloomberg-protectparkland-

at-flushing-meadows-corona-park
Every signature helps us! Please forward this to anyone who can help.
Thank you!
We will keep you informed of any news as we hear it, and you can stay
informed of the very latest at: http://protectthepark.org/
//
Long School Bus routes that harm children and disrespect rights* are SCARY!
Join Parents to Improve School Transportation
October 31st, 2012 @ 10:30AM
Office of Pupil Transportation (AKA the House of Horrors)
44-36 Vernon Boulevard, LIC, 11101
Pistnyc@gmail.com 347.504.3310 ( se habla español)
NYS law “ Special education means specially designed indivualized or group instruction or special
services or programs, as defined in subdivision 2 of section 4401 of the EDucation Law, and special
transportation, provided at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of students with
disabilities.”
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
//
AN AFTERNOON OF ʻBOLEROʼ IN CORONA PLAZA
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21
1 PM – 5 PM
OQGA___17102010
103rd Street and Roosevelt Ave.
Enjoy the most beautiful ʻboleroʼ songs in our recently renovated plaza.
*DJ Amore* Live Music * Big Voices*
Arrive early and request your favorite Bolero songs!
More information: 347-927-7895
Guests of Honor
IPR/HE Corona Senior Center
Free Event
UNA TADE DE BOLERO EN CORONA PLAZA
Disfrute y baile los boleros más bellos en nuestra recién renovada plaza.
*DJ Amore* Música en Vivo* Grandes Voces
¡ Llegue temprano para que pida sus boleros favoritos!
Más información: 347-927-7895
Invitados de Honor
IPR/HE Corona Senior Center
DOMINGO 21 DE OCTUBRE
1 PM – 5 PM
Calle 103 y Roosevelt Ave.
Evento Gratuito
//
IR A GOOGLE: bankofamericamykiller
Bancodeamericamisicario
Elfantasmaasesinado.blogspot.com

VER PROTESTAS:

www.elfantasmadelbancodeamerica.com

TWITTER:

clemencia@bofamericaghost

clegarz@hotmail.com

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REPORT BACKS::
//RE; PBWG ; let the people decide how the budget is spent ; meeting with Danny
Dromm; Flushing Meadow park; Housing; has been in foreclosure; filing fee; would like
to make fundraiser; because its really financially difficult
//we are here tonight arranged for Wed. night weekly; Weʼre on Wed. nights and paying
50$ as we were last year before we went to the park; it was brought to my attention that
if groups are a smaller number then we can be pro-rated and discounted; will
investigate further; I did not inquire about keys; We have things here (storage);
//people are having their house taken away; where we can find out about hearings for
these houses; lawyer saw her home someone from Manhattan helping her; they pay all
the bills on time; still…;

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PROPOSALS::
List Proposals and then discuss them in Open Forum; Temp Check: CONSENSUS
- Community Agreements; when weʼre in a space together what are the agreements we
abide by
- Proposal was for Assembly to consider a cultural Competency Seminar; to build
consensus; as we do community outreach to be sensible about having the community
really resembled out here;
- Proposals for weekly scheduled meeting and events;
- Occupy Queens Contact List; not done as an opt in list serve;
- Bank Proposal we should support her ( clemencia@bofamericaghost ); all of us should
get together and help her ASAP;
- Email Etiquette; – to discuss the guidelines on what is appropriate for the list serve;
there are many people on the list serve; it is set up for announcements for what is going
on in Occupy Queens not for back and forth discussions; the appropriate place for that
is on the forums

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OPEN FORUM::
//This is the first time for me here trying to learn
OQGA___17102010
//Want to bring change in to the community; thereʼs a lot of proposals and actions that I
can be involved in; I think thereʼs a lot of potential; (OPT) they lost my kid; Im interested
and can get more people involved in the OPT action; I think youʼll have a lot of people
showing up;
POI – I used to work for OPT; OPT hires disabled people from Goodwill; and treats them
like dirt; just answer the phone and do the best they can; Is part of bring people into
employment is about making them feel like human beings; and these are people that
they are “saving”
//Iʼm here b/c I started coming to the GAʼs last December; went to OWS last year saw
so much promise; and one of the things that attracted me and them over the course of
the year Iʼve seen that window has been less; I think the core of that is communication;
race and culture ; how we can connect with so many well intentioned people and we
should be growing numbers; b/c I basically dropped out; oh wow itʼs being addressed!?!;
I oscillate between depression and optimism
//Iʼve been here several times; and I havenʼt seen it; so what exactly are we talking
about?; Iʼm from South Ozone Park; I donʼt think itʼs a race issue or not a race issue;
maybe weʼre not talking to people; I donʼt think people are staying away b/c of race; I
havenʼt felt it;
//this is important topic, a very sensitive issue ; I havenʼt seen it; I just donʼt want to
happen other work doesnʼt happen in GAsʼ we worked in Housing; upset about proposal
for competency;
POP raise concerns when we talk about proposals
CONSENSUS:: Letʼs primarily give the new people chance to speak; then move onto
proposals
POI – Passing the hat now; for the rent for the night;
POP – are we proposing it for her; we should work with her;
//logical way to go is to form a WG;
If itʼs a case of solidarity statement; in the interim of gathering information to at least at
82nd at BofA branch; visiting her during the day; help her; while ; maybe we can go
tomorrow; she has a costume; a ghost costume; has a big poster next to her ; a lot of
information next to her; btwn Roosevelt and 37th; she has a blog she would welcome
our help;
// just had a suggestion a lot of redundancy; people are passionate; weʼre making a
particular point of action; that maybe it should be put on the white board so that we
know whatʼs it about
CONSENSUS:: We agree to go individually and then report back to figure out best on
how we can help;
POI – We have 32 min total for each;
//Community collective agreements; I think itʼs necessary online and off; or that weʼre
not xenophobic or not; the reason why we raised this; is b/c itʼs not just this GA;
Proposal read;
//Who will make this decision and how?; this is (participant’s) community agreements and
not ours;
//One as (participant) has brought up, this has been brought up over and over again; just
a constant repetition is not an appropriate process; it sort of bludgeons; I think the issue
if we are to form Community Agreements; or mission statement; If we choose to do that;
it is for us, let us allow time for us to do it ourselves; and we actually were bringing this
issue up; and then the August recess;
POI I never did a community Agreement;
//this seems fine to me; except for the final piece; wondering who enforces not
comfortable kicking people out; if we come to that place; second concern about kicking
people out; if it goes to consensus that part removed;
//the process of building community agreement should be in response to the situation at
hand; seems a list of what comes out from OWS not from things that has come out of
here; itʼs us figuring out what; if things start to go wrong we address them; but then weʼll
have some sort of understanding; letsʼ build it on the actual issues;
//not sure how to go about them; a very good idea to have them in place to there should
be some parameters so that people can I think itʼs good; I’m in favor;
//I agree it should be a whole community discussing; in case of outreach Community
Agreements are necessary
//Donʼt know where this discussion is going; one problem ; we need to follow up what
we started up collectively;
//why wait till we you get sick ; this agreement ; if we can do input for another week, OK;
I donʼt think this is a safe space; itʼs happened in Astoria as well; canʼt just let anything
fly;
//community agreements I canʼt find anything to start on;
POI we can review it for another time
//Meeting and Event Schedule can allows this discussion to take place;
//that idea of throwing someone out is kind of extreme; also culture competency would
be foundational; that would be it for me at the core;
C:: Do we have a hard nine PM? Yes.
TABLE:: Community Agreement Proposal
//In the last couple of weeks a lot of personality conflict ; the sensitivity that I had based
on race of privilege; what does community mean to us; the majority of people; how
about enveloping this conversation on only race; shared and established sensibilities;
letʼs have a cultural competency training; this is a great community to do it in; sad that
people to give their input into the conversation are not heard in this conversation; this
proposal I made online; I was looking for it today to get feedback
//I think itʼs dangerous to assume people of a race, of privilege etc, by appearance; to
assume people are of privilege just by the way they look…
//I thought it was an interesting proposal; maybe to have an outsider or expert can be
helpful; if weʼre going to talk about this ; define what we mean about racism; we can
probably go through and get more than one opinion; different definitions how do we
define;
//at the base is we respect each other; no matter who you are ; respect is very
important; I think every one here respects each other; when we talk about racism every
thing comes from the inside; the basic principle is respect;
//I completely agree that respect is at the center; I think what (named participant) is
suggesting is a little more; she/heʼs taking us to a place that addresses the subtleties
and complexities that is racism; thatʼs such an important pass; oh shoot theyʼre going to
go that way; I was a teacher maybe we have a chance…;
//personally thereʼs now a problem; the teach in; how we would structure that; however
my proposals; I think if we consider it, it would allow for a safe place for this teach in to
take place; I donʼt think we can come out of it with a specific conclusion;

Given the limited time a temperature check was called to determine if members supported the idea of holding a meeting/event to address cultural competency within OQ.  Consensus was reached that OQ will hold a meeting devoted to the issue of cultural competency.  The date and format are yet to be determined.

- Proposal for weekly scheduled meeting and events; Tabled
- Occupy Queens Contact List; not done as an opt in list serve; Tabled
- Email Etiquette; Tabled
9:00 END GA

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PDF::

OQGA___17102012

Occupy Queens General Assembly – Sunday –July 1, 2012 -

Meeting at Travers Park Playstreet 78^th St & 34^th Ave; 13 present; 6pm-8:30pm

Submitted by Carolyn

1. Acronyms-GA-General Assembly; OQ-Occupy Queens; TS (Town Square- a community meeting/festivity, often assisted by WS Town Square WG); WG-Working Group
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
   1. Trade School- has free space available at 13^thST &5thAve, Manhattan –Sept 28-Oct 28 –BARTER for goods, services with the good folks associated with Trade School; Teaching possible on a topic of your choice; (www.tradeschool.ourgoods.org)
   2. July 22 Occupy Queens Town Square to coincide with Solidarity’s July 22 Debt Assembly (action to celebrate opposition with Montreal students)
   3. This Thursday Occupy T Square- meeting; need more planners & doers – meet 6:30 at Playstreet.
3. REPORT BACK
   1. Food and Environmental Justice WG: dealing now primarily with the vegetable garden at Elmhurst First Presbyterian Church. Effort faltering somewhat for S Asian Youth Alliance was to be in forefront and drop off in participation; some reluctance on part of Church to be obviously associated with Occupy but OK to work with OQ; Discussion of Occupy’s continuing approach
   2. Future of Occupy as a general movement? Occupying spaces will not work for police and other authorities are ready to stop such. However joining with local communities in both projects they need/want and also protest actions is promising. Example: the recent “Cleanup & Dump Action” – Cleaning up debris around house foreclosed and forgotten by Chase Bank, then dumping bags in Chase lobby.
   3. OQ Study Group – meets this Saturday morning (11am?-check with Damian), July 7 at Playstreet. Reading” chapter from “Debt: The First 5000 Years” by David Graeber, an anthropologist.
   4. Drum Circle – meets before OQ GA on Sundays in same Playstreet area. Bring flyers re OQ in future meetings
   5. Print more flyers a few hundred before a revised flyer is prepared for OQ Town Square of July 22
   6. Housing Action with Hollis Presbyterian Church 99% Group - occurred this past Sat,June 30. Good enthusiasm with several politicians (most up for re-election) and “Take Back the Land” . No media and Less participation than hoped for by local community. Discussion of possible reasons, including very hot weather. Next time OQ to do more followup and media involvement, even if Hollis takes lead as did this time.

Work with Hollis re Block Party they want at summer’s end to discuss with neighborhood how buildings could be best used for community’s well-being.

Hollis also interested in “Town Square”- interested in facilitation from OQ.

1. OQ Finance – same positive discrepancy as before, but will resolve issue
2. Labor WG - small demonstration was held with TaxiWorkers Alliance this past Monday. Next meeting not this Sunday, but following, July 15.
3. Occupy the Citi – demonstration held on Citi Plaza with Occupy Long Island City & Astoria past Wed June 27. Had excellent presentation re Wall Street by Occupy SEC; 4pm: our OQ “dancing houses” and drummers. Many, many police which generally surrounded demo, though not “penned”. More engagement externally at lunchtime as employees left buildings, but little opportunity later. Need to think carefully about STRUCTURE of demos & how to involve others. Suggestions: music (eg everyone can dance to soul music), humor (eg dancing houses), free gifts(frisbee?) w Occupy logos
1. PROPOSALS
   1. AGREED – free, night time outdoor showing of “Inside Job”. Perhaps in conjunction with OQ Town Square on July 22 (11-7pm)-maybe show afterwards at 9pm. Perhaps drum circle between events. Promotion –via flyers in supermarkets(e.g Met Food, Trade Fair), etc. Committee (Peter, Susan, David) to follow-up with Town Square organizers.
2. TOWN SQUARE PLANNING
   1. ASAP -Go online to see “living image” of tentative Flyer and make suggested changes to Christian
   2. Need more volunteers to help plan, participate
   3. Suggest: Co-ordinate with Solidarity re activism via Debt; Music & Singalong, bang on pots to symbolize affiliation with Montreal students demos against debt
   4. Planning- list ROLES needed to make event successful, flyers given to weekly Farmers Market; possible teach-in: composting (associate with Farmers Maket)
3. OPEN FORUM – VISIONING discussion
   1. Check out National Gathering Website – will on July 4^th have general visions/goals. www.occupynationalgathering.com and #NATGAT on Twitter And more specifically: http://www.occupynationalgathering.com/#!/visioning-process-online-component/
   2. Homework - for next meeting, WRITE DOWN WHY you are part of Occupy. What do you want to accomplish?
   3. Visioning- we don’t want to create a Blueprint; that doesn’t work. Need to agree on General Values. Maybe have further discussion with community at Town Square Meeting on July 22.
   4. Deadlines – we were hoping to have some values/visions to add to a flyer for the July 22 Town Square event.

 

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Occupy Queens GA – Sunday June 24 2012, 6 – 8pm

Location: Playstreet-78^th ST between 34^th Ave & Broadway Attendance = 18 persons

1. next GA=same location, Sunday, July 1 2012
2. Announcements
3. Report Back
4. Proposals
5. Open Forum

1. Announcements
   1. Hollis Housing action – June 30- Saturday –meet at 11am at Hollis Presbyterian Church; march begins noon
   2. Banking Action -Wednesday June 27 8am-8pm-Citi Bank Plaza One Court Square, Long Island City,
   3. Taxi Workers Alliance Action – Monday, June 25 – 2205 43^rd St, 4-6pm
   4. Primary elections – Tuesday – June 26; candidates with views espousing many Occupy principles: 7^th Congressional District- George Martines –running as Occupy Candidate; 5^th Cong, District-Mike Scala
   5. Occupy National Gathering www.occupynationalgathering.com. June 30 –July 4^th – Philadelphia
   6. Occupy Bushwick – holds Town Square – July 8
   7. Occupy Astoria/Long Island City Open Forum – Movie – “Heist-Who Stole the American Dream?”- Tuesday, June 26, 6:30pm ; film at 7pm – Church of the Redeemer – 30-14 Crescent Street @30^th Ave.
2. Report Backs
   1. Finance – total = about $380, possibly about $500; to be clarified
   2. Occupy Queens Town Square Planning Meeting met on Wed. . OQTown Sq to occur Sunday July 22, 11am-6pm. Groups include “Make the Road”, Folkloric Dance Group =about 3-4 pm; Farmers Mkt; Additional groups to be contacted. Next planning meeting is July 5-Thurs, 6:30pm at 78 ST Play street . Before Wed, send any info you want on poster,
   3. Housing Group joined NY Community for Change – for “Clean Up & Dump”-bagged much garbage, trimmed grass & hedges of foreclosed home in Jamaica owned by Chase. Then dumped bags into lobby of Chase Bank on Merrick Ave, urging bank to renegotiate home mortgages so people could move back into their homes Very successful event. Coverage by TV stations, NY 1 and Fox News. Links to this media will be put on internet.
   4. “Move Your Money” –beginning June 11, 2012-ask people to gradually divest from “Too Big To Fail” corporate banks & invest in Credit Unions and Community Banks that support workers and invest in local communities. 96 day action to culminate on Sept 17, One Year Anniversary of Occupy Wall Street.

check bank/CU ratings for financial wellbeing, though most ratings do not factor in social project involvement or adequate employee benefits. One possible ratings site is www.WiessRatings.com, tho it is a conservative, libertarian site, so ignore proselytizing

3. Proposals
   1. Agreed – use our painted houses and drums to join Occupy Citi event – meet at 4pm at event (SEE Announcements)
   2. Agreed – reimburse maker & order 50 more buttons (Occupy Queens) for total of $45.
   3. Ongoing – Value Based Consensus discussion & preparation of OQ Mission/ Purpose Statement. To be an Open Document, consider trying to prepare for Town Square; have further discussions at OQ Town Square July 22.
4. Open Forum
   1. A discussion of adding “use of non-violence” to any OWS-Queens document has been postponed until a discussion is held concerning Vale Based Decision making.
   2. Article by Gene Sharp in CNN reportage: “a Dictators Worst Nightmare”

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OQ GA MINUTES. 06/06/12

Part 1.

VISITING SPEAKER (from Boston) Natasha Peres of ‘National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare’ appealed to Occupy for support: see www.ncpssm.org and search for ‘Viewpoint’; also see http://www.ncpssm.org/news/archive/aca_fact_sheet/  How the Affordable Care Act Helps Seniors.

Part 2.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Introductions:

• Completed 8.20 (1 newcomer / ca. 20 others)

Next Meeting:

• June 17, in 78^th (Play) Street, adjacent to Travers Park; starts at 6pm; it it rains possible move to Pride House.

Reports Back:

• Announcement: AM mentioned ‘education rally’ and ‘need save firehouse’.
• Fund raising: Ray reported details of income & expenditure reference production and sales of shirts at donations at recent ‘Pridesfest’; consensus reached on next steps to take.
• Street Theatre: Lena reported extensive preparations made (artwork and prop- making; house costumes; chants and songs; itinerary); more volunteers are needed; there will be drummers; will walk in single file on pavements totkkep within law (n.b. street theatre not protest!); start 1.00 o’clock at pedestrian plaza.. Hope expressed Cristian will act as (non-marching) spokesman (Tiger and others willing to step in if Cristian not available). No response yet from legal defence group.
• Hollis 99% Club: Bill reported Hollis Community very much in control of their own affairs but will be pleased to have OQ support at their next Rita Stark protest….this freeing up OQ folk to prepare for Town square.
• OTS:  David reported on town square fliers; also there will be a planning meeting on  Thurs June 14 at 6.30 pm at 78^th Street; hopefully community associations will participate in planning the town square meeting and then organize their own inputs.

Urgent announcements (due to lack of time):

• For details of June 10 ‘flea market’ see OQ website.
• For ‘email blasts’ Ray needs inputs he can cut and paste.
• Hand truck donated.
• Judge allegedly assaulted by cop at pedestrian plaza (see media).

Adjournment: 9.15

********************************************************************************************************************

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 • 7PM

Queens Pride House, Jackson Heights

O-Queens GA notes for May 2nd, 2012
by Diana

Agenda: Deciding on next GA, Announcement, Reports, Proposals (none), Open Forum

Next GA:
Wed May 9th 7pm Queens Pride House

Announcement:
Antiforeclosure Seminar May 3rd 7pm 169th -07 35th ave
Church of the Hill
(State Senator Tony Avella)

New York Taxi Workers Alliance
JOIN THE PROTEST ON
Thursday May 10th, 3:30 pm
Yellow Cab SLS Jet
won’t let drivers pay upfront for the shift and
then charges them a bogus “Late payment Fee”
STOP THE GREED! LOWER THE LEASE!
22-05 43rd Avenue

STILL SEPARATE, STILL UNEQUAL
Racism, policing, and Public Ed
Thursday May 10th 6:30pm
Queens Pride House
Speakers: Brian Jones(Radical Educator), Angela Jones (NYCLU), Nilesh & Roxana(DRUM)
Sponsored by the NYC Intern. Socialist Org.

The Peoples Summit and other direct actions and events in Chicago beginning May 18th
Sign up for a bus trip to Chicato:it’s a FREE trip room board and travel
More info: 99solidarity.net/the -peoples-summit/
The National Gathering Working Group(NGWG) propose a National Gathering of the Occupy Movement on July 4, 201 in Philadelphia, Penn. at Independence Mall in order to collectively craft a Vison fo ra Democratic Future. Further propose convergence begin on June 30.
More info: 99solidarity.net/the -peoples-summit/

Reports:
Actions around Banks–Getting money out of Big banks into smaller neighborhood banks. ie. Amalgamated?
(The following are attendees commented and brainstorming ideas for this type of action)
Use an informational flyer to provide to people
Picket banks, esp. Bank of America
Constantly bring banks’ attention.
Why are we putting our money on this banks when they are destroying communities, raping us.
Moveyourmoney.org—ideal place to move your money would be credit unions or homeloans but credit unions has the accounts in Chase banks.
Bank of America 82nd Street, Legal picket–circle around in front of bank.
Pat Coger–Her house seized in the process of trying to find help.
Street fair in front of bank
Printing stack of pix of houses
Big banners or sign of banks ideas:
“Bank Robbers of America”
“Foreclosure” in front of bank
Furniture in front of banks

OQueens Labor Work Group–Name not yet defined.
Meets 1every two weeks @ 4pm Queens Pride House. Next meeting May 20th, 2011

Working group of an aging population –anti aging working group (any one who wishes to join talk to Daphne)
The following are attendees commented on this situation:
Issues that aging population deal with: Medicare, Rental apartment issues, foreclosure. Govt is coming out to get the older population esp. baby boomers.
Cuts on SS and Medicare
Indicative of the way older population is uncared for: Great apes foundation has collapse because of the economy.
Someone knows of a 62 yr old individual who is applying for job and loosing their homes. Age discrimination when looking for job.
Lost their jobs and madicare
Blue Cross, H1–All for profit. Different ages have to pay different, discriminatory pay.

Writers working group–Stories, poems, essays (any one who wishes to join talk to Daphne)

May 20th Occupy Queens fundraiser flee market at the Jewish Center. (from 11am to 6pm–everyone who wishes to help, come to Jewish center. there will be shifts)
Don’t put price. Ask how much they are willing to pay–get a larger donation.

Open Forum:
Banks and foreclosure:
Open stack
Need to have pix showing the homes that’s abandoned–human attachment–a family that is no longer there.
Insert fact sheet about foreclosure and corrup bank inside the newspapers stands found close to them

May 1st
Comments were all very positive and everyone felt that it was a massive, very exciting, inspiring action.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Queens Pride House • Jackson Heights

1. Introductions: The meeting began with a round of introductions: Bob Trebold (poet at BobTrebold.com), Barbara, Margaret, Ann (from Sunnyside – a first timer), Peter, Walter, Julian, Walter, Nancy (first time), Jerry, David, Tom, AM, Ray, Christian, Mark. (A few others arrived later and are not included.)

2. Report Backs: Outreach by Ray and Christian. A discussion was held on Saturday’s Think Tank at the 37^th Road Commons. A conflict remains between the residents and merchants on 37^th Road. Other than 37th Road, merchants seem supportive. There seems to be some question if the 37^th Road merchants were adequately involved with the planning process. Several interested residents participated in the discussion, including a Young Governors group from Elmhurst. They might get further involved. Tom mentioned that a local resident had suggested moving one of the two bus routes back to 73^rd, so that merchants might benefit.

• Education: AM reported that efforts to fight school closings continue. Additionally, he reported on BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) efforts to extend it to routes 100, 101 BX15, and M60. In our community the M60 stops at 31^st Street, Steinway, 82^ndStreet, 94^th Street, and LaGuardia Airport. It has been suggested that a bus route connect upper Manhattan (e.g., Harlem) with East Elmhurst/Corona, and points south. Also, election lines need to be a focus (Bad report from Albany recently though).
• Direct Action: Planning to show support by participating in an April 14 housing event in Hollis. (Later noted that this was a city-wide General Assembly and a possible conflict.

3. Announcements: Peter noted a recent protest at the post office. Julian noted that a car pooling effort is being organized for the housing event in Holli. Christian said there was to be a Deescalation training in Astoria, emailKatie@katieferrari.com to participate. Margaret noted that the huge Greek Parade in Manhattan might present an opportunity to participate for Occupy, perhaps aligning with and showing solidarity with the sad situation in Greece. AM noted that a Say No To NATO Wars event was to take place in Stanford, CT. See UNACPeace.org or talk to Toka at 860 680 7247.

4. Proposals: Barbara suggested support for the housing forum. All agreed she should feel free to print and flyer. Ann, from Sunnyside, proposed that a new anti-war working group be formed. All agreed that she should move ahead on this. David spoke in favor of a Occupy 37^th Road event on March 24. A 3-part event starting at noon with a family oriented games, picnic and yoga class. From 1-2 a Think Tank on general issues would be held. And From 2-4 in Corona there would be a Social Assembly with an open conversation between community groups and Occupy. The Making Worlds group will be active participant in these events. Christian suggested that a flyer be prepared for posting in local stores.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012

AGENDA

1.  Welcome/Roles
2. Introduction to Direct Democracy
3. Working Group Report Backs
4. Announcements
5. Open Forum
6. Proposals
7. Time and Date of Next Meeting

WORKING GROUP REPORT BACKS

 DIRECT ACTION WORKING GROUP WG and HOUSING WG  Are planning a Housing Forum: Education/Direct Action for April 15. We are looking for a location in eastern Queens; the event will consist of a speaker on housing/foreclosures; testamonials from those facing or having experienced forclosures; and a foreclosure action.  We will also build toward the May 1st city-wide actions through this event.

HABEAS CORPUS WG will be meeting on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7 PM  to strategize on how we can begin a campaign to repeal the articles in the NDAA that have threatened our right to Habeas Corpus since NDAA was signed into law on January 1, 2012.

FOOD & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WG will be meeting on Wednesday,  March 7, 2012 to discuss the community garden that they will be running as a joint effort with the Newtown Presbyterian Church and  SAYA (South Asian Youth Action).

OUTREACH WG and MOBILE THINK TANK will be holding a Think Tank on the Commons on Saturday at 1 pm at the 37^th Rd. Plaza.

FINANCE WG:  The person who has handled the collection of donations at each meeting and the payment for the space is going on vacation and needs two people who will take responsibility for this job.  He described the process he follows to insure transparency and good record keeping. There were several volunteers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WHAT:  Facilitation and De-Escalation Training

WHEN:  Sunday, March 18, 2012, 1-4 PM

WHERE:  Greater Astoria Historical Society,  Quinn Building,  35-20 Boradway, 4^th Floor,  Long Island, City, NY 11106

DETAILS:  This event is free and  open to all.  Facilitation assists general assemblies and other meetings by neutrally applying direct democratic principles and processes.  De-escalation is a form of non-violent communication and conflict resolution. Everyone can benefit from this, not just those interested in facilitation.

 WHAT:  Spring Awakening 2012:  Occupy New York City People’s Assembly

WHEN:  April 14, 2012 beginning at 1PM

WHERE:  Open space format, to be announced

DETAILS:  Essentially, April 14^th will be a day to gather many members, organizations and interested individuals from throughout NYC both affiliated with Occupy and not…This will be a day to revitalize, strategize and kick-off the spring with a major focus on openness to new-comers, invigorating local ga’s, further developing inter-organizational relationships, celebrating, and together building power for the spring, summer, beyond.

OCCUPY BRONX  is organizing efforts to put Housing Court Justices under the general authority of all judges.  At present there is no judicial oversight over these judges whose decisions are critical to the foreclosure process.

WHAT:  Making Worlds Forum

WHEN:  Saturday, March 24, 2012

WHERE:  To be announced

DETAILS:  The Making Worlds Forum will organize another event on the Commons in Queens.  If you would like to help organize this event, please contact David.

OPEN FORUM

1.  Announcements are taking up a lot of time during the General Assembly.  Many of these announcements are not generated by  actions coming out of Working Groups, but are coming from other community organizations.  How can  working group members participate in these events?  How many of these events are Queens-based?

• Pass around a sign-up sheet with the action flyer attached.
• Set up a working group dedicated to posting actions of other organizations on a specific page of the Occupy Queens website.
• Working groups should post their actions on their page on the Occupy Queens website.

2.   There is an Occupy Queens Blog, but it has not been approved by consensus.  Should it be incorporated into the website?

• The Occupy Queens Blog has been set up for members to post essays,  poems, stories, drawings, cartoons, etc. that have to do with the Occupy movement.  The website does not currently provide a place do to this.
• The Occupy Queens Blog was set up by a member of the Internet WG.  The GA has not consented on other aspects of the website.  Therefore, this matter should be taken up within the Internet Group prior to bringing it to the GA.

PROPOSALS

The proposal entitled “DRAFT Occupy Wall Street Vision Statement”  was tabled until the next GA because the person responsible for the proposal was not present to present it.

 NEXT GA

We will be changing the day of the GA to Wednesdays instead of Sundays.  The time will be 7PM until 9PM.  The place will be the Queens Pride House.

February 26
The minutes are available for download: Word

February 19
The minutes are available for download: Word – PDF

February 5
The minutes are available for download: Word

January 4
The minutes are available for download: PDF – Word

December 26
The minutes are available for download: PDF – Word