Coordinating Council Minutes from 10-1-12

Coordinating Council minutes 10.1.12

Present:  VFP, Outreach, Seniors and Friends, Finance, Socialist Caucus, Social Justice

Facilitator:  Lindsey

Notes: Meggen

Agenda Items:

1) Report-backs on discussions of Lisa Landis’ request for $425 for her legal transcripts, for purpose of filing a civil suit for unjust arrest.  So far, no group has consensus to pass this.

Points expressed:  This is more of a “legal offense” than a “legal defense” purpose.  Groups would like Lisa to ask more questions regarding her case, find out whether she can qualify for ACLU help, etc. and come back to OA with what she finds. She has been given Curry First’s number.  She may have other options.  Per the guidelines for disbursal of funds, she should be encourage her to seek funds on her own, possibly form a fundraising working group, which CC would support.  If she can raise the majority of the $425, OA would consider pitching in a smaller amount from legal.  People do support her cause in spirit, just not sure we can do so financially as OA.

Proposal tabled until we hear more from Lisa.  (Note: is anyone actually in contact with her about this, specifically?)

2) Report-backs on proposal to give some legal fund money to Ben Scales as appreciation for his pro bono work for OA arrestees.  So far, each group has reached a “yes” consensus.  Will bring to GA as a formal proposal on Saturday.  No specified amount in the proposal as yet.  Two suggestions:  $500 or $350.  Reminder that legal is supposed to be a revolving fund (generally understood as a loan) rather than a donation source. 

Related discussion about still doing a fundraiser for donations to Ben Scales.  TJ will check with Rosetta to see if she’s still willing (there were plans at one point that never materialized.)  Will announce that this is in the works at GA on Saturday.

3) GA agenda for Saturday Oct 6.

•   Ben Scales proposal

•   Visioning process (moving forward)

•   Working group report-backs and announcements

•   Possibility of connecting w/ other Asheville groups for this year’s Move Your Money Day (Nov 3^rd)

•   Anything else that comes up

Other Stuff:

Seniors and Friends:  OA should be moving on Move to Amend and foreclosures.  Find local groups to connect with.  Jacob will look into it. 

Announcements:

•   Flotilla on Lake Julien on Oct 14 to protest Stacks.  (I didn’t catch the specifics on this--sorry.)

•   International Noise Day (pot-banging parades) happening around the world Oct 13.  From website, looks like most of these events are in Europe and Latin America. (Indignatos and yosoy123 movements.) 

•   Request from Bart Naylor, financial policy advocate for Public Citizen, for “people who want to take Rep. McHenry to task in local media (letters to editor, etc.) for putting Wall St. ahead of Main St.”  Have asked him for follow-up info.

•   Socialist presentation Weds Oct 10 at Wall Street Cafe 7PM