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  • Category: General Assembly

    GA Summary – 3 September 2013

    Most of tonight’s GA focused on revisiting (and amending) the disbursement proposal from July 9th.

    We decided to liquidate Occupy Boston’s remaining credit union funds. Assuming we got the math right, this breaks down as follows:

    • $4294 for the street medics
    • $908 for strike debt
    • $2000 for Mesob’s food truck (see minutes)
    • $1000 for Bobbi’s Urban Pioneer proposal (see minutes)
    • $492 for Food Not Bombs
    • $492 for E5

    GA Minutes: http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/GA_Minutes_Tue_Sep_03_2013.

    GA Summary – 9 July 2013

    Proposals passed during the July 9th 2013 General assembly.

    Natgat Endorsement

    The general assembly agreed to endorse Natgat 2013.

    Proposed by Aria. Passed in the consent bucket

    Natgat Funding

    We agreed to donate $500 to Natgat.

    Proposed by Aria. Passed by consensus

    Puppet Collective Funding

    We agreed to give $1500 to a Puerto Rican puppet collective, to rent a van and travel to Bread and Puppets 50th anniversary.

    Brought by David and Dey. Passed by consensus

    Legal Aid

    We agreed to give Linda $253 for legal aid and court costs.

    Brought by Linda. Passed by consensus

    Occupy Boston remaining funds

    We agreed to hold $500 of Occupy Boston’s remaining funds in reserve (for operating expenses), and disburse the rest as follows:

    • 50% to street medics,
    • 30% to E5,
    • 10% to food not bombs, and
    • 10% to strike debt.

    Future income will be set aside for operating expenses.

    Proposed by Dana. Passed by consensus

    (Note: this proposal is subject to reconsideration at the next GA)

    Next GA: September 3rd 7pm

    Minutes: http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/GA_Minutes_Tue_July_09_2013

    July 2nd GA Postponed to July 9th

    Occupy Boston July General Assembly is postponed from July 2 to July 9: 7-7:20 potluck, 7:20-9pm meeting, at the Community Church of Boston. The GA has been postponed because a significant number of regular attenders had conflicts and requested a change.

    GA Summary – 2 April 2013

    Money for S17-related trial expenses

    $150 to Linda, for S17-related trial expenses

    Brought by Linda. Passed in the consent bucket.

    Proposal Consideration Proposal

    Background

    Several of Occupy Boston’s funding proposals have resulted in hard feelings. Generally, these hard feelings come about when a (large) funding proposal is brought to GA and passed, and people feel blind-sighted because they didn’t know the proposal was coming, and were not at GA to object.

    This problem is made worse by two factors:

    • We often don’t know in advance what proposals are being brought to GA, and
    • The tactic of “packing” GAs, where the proposer brings enough friends to overcome a block; after the GA, the proposer and their friends disappear.

    I’d like to propose a change to the way we handle funding proposals, to create more opportunity for participation, and to make the process fairer and more democratic. Ultimately, I’d like to see Occupy Boston become better at managing resources.

    Proposal

    I ask that any proposal involving more than $500 be subject to a one-GA “settling period”. This settling period would work as follows:

    • Funds or materials are not disbursed until the next GA after the proposal passes.
    • During the following GA, anyone can ask for the proposal to be “reconsidered”.
    • During reconsideration, the proposal is discussed again. The outcome of reconsideration is that (a) the original proposal stands, (b) the proposal is amended (if the original proposer is there to discuss the amendments), or (c) is rescinded.
    • If there are no calls for reconsideration, the proposal stands, and disbursements can be made.

    In short, reconsideration provides a one-GA cycle where we can gather additional input, and even change our minds.

    I realize that this settling period will slow down some decision making. But I hope that the extra time allows us to make decisions that are acceptable to a greater number of people.

    We will maintain the previously allocated direct action funds, to be used for direct action, without the one-GA settling period.

    Proposed by Steve. Passed by consensus.

    Activist Collaboration and Coalition Building

    We’ll spend the next GA brainstorming and discussing ideas for building coalitions with other activist groups in Boston.

    GA Minutes: http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/GA_Minutes_Tue_Apr_02_2013.

    GA Summary – 5 March 2013

    Reschedule March 17th GA

    Our Next GA is scheduled for Sunday March 17th, which is the same day as the St. Patrick’s day parade. I propose we reschedule the GA, so that we can march with Veteran’s for Peace.

    GA rescheduled for Tuesday March 19th, 7pm, Location TBD

    Proposed by Steve. Passed in the consent bucket.

    Donate Cots to the Harvard Homeless Shelter

    Donate all the cots in storage to the Harvard Homeless Shelter

    Proposed by Bil. Passed in the consent bucket.

    Discussion of Occupy Boston Accomplishments

    We had a discussion about Occupy Boston’s Accomplishments.

    Minutes:
    http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/GA_Minutes_Tue_Mar_05_2013

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