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Grassroots Alliance for Alternative Politics Minutes:2011-2012

Worker Solidarity Meeting (9.26.11)

-Mediator delayed, negotiations in a week or two-More Armark interference-Ruth sides w/ Aramark-Tina? in HR, a better person to work w/-Meet w/ Maureen at Aramark-Aramark becoming more of a problem-Aramark trying to run [email protected] is the specific email resource-Hannah Bloom for op-ed-Main Circle Blog-No strike clause in the contract -Slow down a possibility? Does that violate the contract? Can there be unanimous support on the staff? -Picket the DC?-We won't be able to occupy, etc., but can help build support-Cathy isn't that worried about us jeopardizing their jobs-Contact Frank w/ the CWA (note that Cathy/SEIU negotiates on behalf of all union workers, including CWA)-Get facts right before we go to Cappy, know the facts about money -Talk to a finance person-Wait until next round of negotiations for next meeting-ISO 6:30 Weds, College Center 230-400 Flyers for the DC, 150 for dorms-Meeting next Monday at 9 general meeting

General Meeting (10.3.11)

On the Agenda:-Update on Worker Solidarity Project-Cornel West-VACA speakers-Occupy Wall St. and Protest/Teach-in-Money priorities and allocation-Announcements

-Update On Solidarity Efforts• Workers have seen their conditions worsen over the years: rotation in the dorms, reducedworkers in the DC, outsourced labor in the summer• Layoffs two years ago, strike, hardship fund set up• College looking to change the layoff process (Tim)

mailto:[email protected]

• Education/outreach efforts happening right now

-Go around (name, major, interesting thing)-Mikey (Chicano/a community organizers) coming in November

-Sustainability committee meeting (Weds 4:30 Jade Parlor)• Connects labor w/ environmental issues• GAAP member attending• Email being forwarded• GAAP volunteer report back

-Speakers: Cornel West• West has set aside a date in November• Tim Talked to John Joyce, cost is $11,000 ($4,500 is in place)• In the process of knocking the cost down

o Maya recommends keeping students involvedo Go directly to West, go over the agency’s heado We want more details (cost breakdown)o Tim will meet w/finance (cost breakdown, org involvement, fundraising)o Abby expressed opposition to putting GAAP’s name on a $11,000 speech, manyconcurredo Verbal agreement may already be in place…

-Speakers: VACA• Have an economist coming down for ($1,500) a lecture on class warfare• Want to collab on another speaker, and access the collab fund•GAAP decided: if they want to collab, they have to make the appeal in person at ourmeetings• Maya looking into Poughkeepsie area contacts for a speech• November timing may be difficult

-Occupy Wall St.• Democracy Matters working on using collab fund to get a money for sending 5 peopledown to Wall St. every other weekend• Participants shared their occupy Wall St. experiences• Dem. Matters also working on a protest/teach-in w/ area colleges, to be held in front ofBank of America. Bix has DCC contact.

-Money priorities and allocation• Budget is $2,000 (largest yet)• Set up discretionary fund for collab w/other groups ($200?)• Check in w/ VSA on money for conference• We need to set priorities before we begin allocating money

-Announcements• ISO meeting (Weds)

• Lobbying Workshop (Weds)


-Money, Wall St., Cathy, Occupy Wall St. teach-in

Vaca (John):-bring Stonybrook economist (marxist/labor focus), wrote The Working Class Majority, lecture flexible w/ money around $1,500, VSA isn't giving any money, dir. center for study of working class studies-November is busy-GAAP/VACA collab, less a lecture, more a presentation about how to create alliances around class issues-Professors not connected to the process-Do we want to get involved and use collab fund money? Yes. We'll fold him into the Teach-in-$50 Dollars to the Vegan speaker-Combine w/ spinoffs from lecture on class? John should talk to Pam, etc.-Fold him in to Occupy Wall St. Teach-in?-Bix meeting w/ Russel at the Krafted Cup tomorrow at 5 -See where that goes, teach-in then march -12th of Nov. at 1 -Washinton Sq. Park student group organizing NY school walk-outs/strikes -Break down into small groups, not just a panel, have a big pitch and explain the structure, and then pick which option(s) you want -Make sure to have "diversity" on the panel -Morning sesh, lunch (talk to VSA), then breakdown seshs after -Get transportation for Pougkeepsie and other areas, and/or pay attention to bus schedules-SEIU connection, maybe get him on the panel for the teach-in, a good labor resource

Cathy:-Meeting Monday when we get back-Nov. 1st big meeting-Management getting worse and worse -Favoritism issue -Cup counting Taylorist bullshit-Cathy doing NAACP training-Book on Harvard struggle to Cathy over break-Cathy sounding positive right now-Cathy wants 3 years-Living wage calculator

Upcoming Events:-Nov. 3rd, lecture in Chapel-Nov. 16th, Mikey the organizer coming-Nov. 12th (Saturday afternoon), teach-in

Money:-Disc. fund application, up in the air (Marema doing it) -at 10 trip for every other weekend -Van is cheaper...is that a better option? -Do we have the drivers?-Mario Van Trip!

-Oct. 19th, 22nd, voter outreach w/ Edgar, look out for email blast. -Case for Socialism meeting w/ Bill Weds 6, rocky 304-Meaning of Marxism, GAAP/ISO study group-Nov. 5/6 ISO conference at Colombia


Announcements:-Edgar w/ CVH. Get involved with Poughkeepsie community organizing! Get in touch.-Buy Occupy Poughkeepsie a tent? Nope.-Occupy Po petition to avoid police harassment-Distant, but on the radar for second semester, Gaza Blockade documentary-Postponed meaning of Marxism (Bill), ISO conference/OWS in two weekends (Nov 5) in NYC-Meet me in Poughkeepsie, Dem Matters/GAAP collab, we're going to Occupy Po-Activism calendar, get on it-Hudson Valley Newsletter, forwarded

Worker Solidarity:-Kathy is unhappy, aren't other people mad at Cappy?-We don't know what's up next-Nothing has changed in negotiations-Emails from canvassing to Abby

Teach-in:-Nov 13th, 12-5 (not posting an end time), in Sanders-Googledoc, John will email to GAAP-Basic schedule down-Flyer (design and posting) -Bill will do it, ASAP-Half hour intro, what OWS is all about-1st of two breakout sessions -Identity issues how they relate to OWS, Decolonize the 99%, Occupy the Hood -Local issues/Vassar labor/Occupy Colleges-Lunch-2nd Breakout -Direct action and democratic engagement -Historical context, why is this happening, what's next

-End together about Occupy Poughkeepsie-Jaunt on over to OP-Edgar for community outreach-Tell teachers who are speaking to get word out to their students-Get transportation for the area (vans)-Get in touch with people at Bard etc., find people who can mobilize-Joel Tyner? Radio shout out, Tim will go on. I'll talk with him about speaking-Contact the Poughkeepsie Journal, or the Hudson Valley Newsletter -Maya-Tim checking in with people via email

Occupy Poughkeepsie:-Need people, spend the night-GA's at 12 and 7-Coordinate a schedule -Email thread (1st Week) -Google Doc-How not to be pretentious, acknowledge privilege-Need bodies and activists


Announcements:-If anyone knows a female prof. to speak at Nov 12 OPK rally, let Tim know-Meet me in Poughkeepsie came through-Documentary on Israeli occupation of Palestine, Upheaval Productions, "Occupation Has No Future," film screening? Would cost money to get the guy out from San Francisco. -Bill thinking about a debate, talk to Amnesty and Jewish Student Union-Get on the VSA's list of student orgs-Hotel Workers Rising Campn. UNITE-HERE organizing the campaign, Hyatt workers on strike, hotel restructuring firm (HEI) union busts, gets its money from University endowments, disinvestment campaign is underway, solidarity letter circulating, would Vassar want to sign the letter under GAAP's name, http://www.heiworkersrising.org/ -Maybe get Admin. to sign on. Does GAAP want to pursue that? If we do, should we go all in?

Teach-in:-Sunday, Nov 13, Sanders, 12-5ish, see schedule (will be on facebook event)-Facebook page is up, friend Jonathan Bix on FB-Looking for more teachers for the teach-in-Flyering: Friday or Saturday, we're getting a van to flyer and chalk Marist and SUNY New Paltz -Flyer the community: Family Partnership Center, Occupy Poughkeepsie, Churches, High School-Tabling schedule, Tim will make a googledoc, sign up when you are free-Tuesday at 8, joint org meeting

http://www.heiworkersrising.org/

-Van people? Mario (note risks)

Occupy Poughkeepsie:-Maya and others helped w/ supplies and snow removal-Look for warm things from Vassar, bring stuff when you go.-Becoming an informal distribution center-If you have media skills, come by and help-Get it in the Misc-Get in touch w/ Julia-Good Neighbors fund-Lack of resources for the homeless (700 homeless people every night?), decreased services-Occupy the deserted YMCA building?

Worker Solidarity Meeting (11.7.11)

Kathy:-Aramark is worried about the contract-Aramark holds meeting, 8 people showed up, they walked out, the Armark contract has nothing to do with ours-Get close to a contract-Buildings and Grounds worried about their hours being changed, couldn't get that, but got a $850/$250 a piece concession-If they add a third shift, make sure it goes through the union-Down to the medical issue, if rates change, who will be responsible? Union is saying we don't want to be responsible for it, Kathy thinks the union is going to win that-Got the subcontracting provision out!-People getting seriously sick in the Kitchen right now-We're going to get a copy of the agreement (on the subcontracting issue)-Wages and pensions still up in the air, management wants a time clock, which they will use as a set-up to fire people, so the union doesn't want that -Kathy doesn't have a problem w/ the time clock, but the members might vote it down, fearing for their jobs-The contract will be for 3 years-Kathy still wants to work with us-Kathy running for VP, election in February

-Vassar used to be better back in the late 90's when Kathy first arrived, more of a community, run better, "it's like nobody cares here"-Vassar students planning to do something about Aramark? Maybe a campaign in the future, there is some widespread discontent...-Aramark for profit, after they came quality of food and options available went down-Do a student campaign, Kathy would help, GAAP could take the lead and begin mobilizing-Bring it up at next GAAP meeting

Teach-in:

-Fix the dates (13th!)-Flyering Friday (early) w/Tim, Bix, Spencer, and others-Chalk

Announcements:-Occupy Wall St.: Student strike, labor march, events on the 17th-Mikey the Organizer coming on Wednesday-Tar sands stuff, Nov. 28, get people to every Obama Campgn. Office to lobby, Greens organizing-ISO event on the 17th in the city on Ecology and Socialism-Bix passed around a Frack-Action petition -Public hearings coming up, fracking up for review by Cuomo


Announcements:-Thurs Nov. 17th, OWS marches, occupations, occupiers, students (on strike), labor-Fracking on the 21st and the 29th -4 states voting on the fracking moratorium, governors split, Obama is the swing vote, show up -Individual petition going around (again)-Sign group Frackaction petition-Bring in fracking activist after break?-Check out Occupy Portland, fucked shit happening

Fracking info:-Hydrolic fracturing to extract natural gas-Previously done by vertical drilling, fracking is horizontal, shoots water out .5 miles all around (water, sand, chemicals)-New tech, not regulated by clean air/water act (Haliburton loophole makes fracking exempt from environmental reg.)-Drills break, can allow frack fluid to travel through fault lines that contaminate the water, permanent pollution results-Only existed for 15 years, only become very profitable the last 5-Private landowners have gas under their land, many are rural and poor, and allow their land to be leased, which means the corporations aren't responsible for cleanup, the contracts also are so dense that they stipulate environmental research/investigation can't be done-Contamination can come from rig failure, also methane escapes in the process and it is one of the worst greenhouse gases-Profitable for whom? Gas corporations.-Delaware River Watershed Council, meeting on the 21st in Trenton, NJ.-Hearing on the 29th in NYC, Sulivan County, Greens want to go to one -Greens meeting on Weds. 8 Jade parlor, look for email on plans.

Occupy PK Sexism (Katie):

-OWS, hasn't been to OPK-Dominated by young, white, straight men, let's not have this co-opted by same privileged groups-Wants to get involved, w/out imposing, bring down Professor-Experiences have been "great" and "really uncomfortable", felt marginalized by gender, confronted issue of sexism at teach-in, not interested in talk about, thought of moving into YMCA building in the winter organized by women, a space for women to sleep safe -Cleaning schedule (by more than just women over 40?)-Set up feminist workshops -If you would be interested in getting involved, email GAAP!

Occupy Teach-in:-Discomfort w/ the privileging of educated "elite"-However, this wasn't meant to be a big GA-Problems w/ horizontal organizing and consensus based decision making-Hashing out issues on movement's direction

Emergency Meeting on OWS (11.15.11)

Timeline of Recent Events:-Press illegaly barred from entering park, press cred ripped off-Trucks used to block view-CBS heli banned after a while-Police abuse-Sound cannon used-20-22,000 watched it on live stream-1am, police encircle-over next 1.5, police ready, subway shutdown all over lower minute-protestors ordered out (w/out retrieving belongings), people's property (including 5,500 books) hauled away/trashed-400-500 protestors relocate to Foley Sq.-100-200 stay behind, some chained to tree (which was cut down), eventually cleared-200ish arrested-at 8am, NLG gets temp restraining order that allows reentry, but cops don't respect it at first -See video of Ethan being thrown over barrier (w/ order in hand)-Judge rules against us: allowed to be in sq until 10, no sleeping bags, tents, laying down, people can be searched-GA right now, people plan to stay (re)occupied-NYC councilman arrested-Thursday more important now

Thursday:-Huge (worldwide) day of action-Student strike citywide-Labor (AFL-CIO endorsed, all the big NY unions)-Plan: ON THURSDAY 7am shut down NYSE, 3pm Occupy the Subways (ride around sharing

stories w/ ppl's mic), also 3pm Student strikers rallying at Union Sq., everyone gathering at 5pm in Foley Sq., march to Brooklyn Bridge -Transit workers contract up for neg. soon, fairly militant, might strike soon-Look for OPK email, they're leaving at 2pm-For those who have to be here, they should go down to OPK, to help occupy and provide support-Oakland, Portland, now NYC, looking like Boston next?-Oakland mayor has talked to other mayors last week...concerted effort? -Liberal democrat mayor still cracking down, still allowing police brutality -Same w/ Portland, police brutality problem despite liberal admin.-Bring sharpies, get NLG number (212.679.6018)-Think ahead for what situations you will put yourself in-Arrests have been ACDs (6 month probation, not on your record) as long as you don't resist arrest -Linking arms and going limp can be considered resisting arrest, also group dynamics can be applied to you -Not that many resisting arrest charges-People who are going to NYC, stay after meeting to chat and exchange numbers, designate an info distributor -Check out OWS website for more details

Vassar Contingent Plan for Thursday:-We are meeting at North East corner of World Trade Center (Ground Zero), at intersection of vesey st. and grenich st. (St. Paul's Church yard), get off subway north of Wall st.-Direct Action tips: don't be antagonistic, stay w/ a coordinated group, if things get out of hand, judge an act accordingly, communicate well, text a lot, don't leave people in jail, or stranded, use subway maps to navigate, subways might be shut down, might have to walk, bring gov't id and a charged phone, bring water, food, phone, good clothing, have cash, check out DA guides online

Reactions:-Library raid, censorship upsetting, symbolic-Reckless police behavior, women's tent ripped apart early on, abusive verbal treatment, police having fun-Created media blackout-Illegal treatment of press-Watch it unfold on live cam, feeling invested-Federal neglect, hypocrisy-Biased media rhetoric


Occupy Wall Street N17:-A Vassar student (anonymous for legal reasons) got arrested for disorderly conduct (for standing on a sidewalk)-Police push them unto the sidewalks, but kept pushing them down further and further

tel:(212.679.6018

-Protesters get upset, start yelling back, the student was at the front, main officer address the student-Police reached in and pulled the student out, threw them on the ground, pinned them down, cuffed them-Arrested w/ another Vassar alum-Inside look at what's going on w/ the cops-Where the cops stand on this whole thing: they seem to be divided. The student's arresting officer went out of the student's way to get them out same day-A lot of officers didn't want to be there anymore than we did-Some of the officers were really mean, some were rude and disrespectful, nerve pinched in hand bec. cuffs were too tight-Protesters singing in the cells the whole time, filled the facility, cops wanted them gone-One cop came up to the student and said they supported us

Occupy Poughkeepsie:-10 ppl wrangled w/ Mic Checks in the Retreat/ACDC-Speakout (mostly Bill)-Thanksgiving event coming up-Tents are too close to the courts-Outreach in the community has yet to occur-Old and young white people, predominantly men (girlfriends and older women)-Very insular group-Drugs/alcohol problems...how do we address them? How do we manage risk?-Still haven't done outreach, there is there some fear, no one is willing to knock on doors, there is

-We should do outreach as Vassar students (we're not insular), we'll do it for them-Do some workshops -Organize a day of outreach, and then a followup day-Check in what needs the community has, get Occupiers to pitch in, send out crews, be a workforce for the community-Gotta make people want to come, insert ourselves in the community, engage them-Basketball tournament?-When we get back from Thanksgiving Break, we should organize a trip to the GA, and then a date for organizing-Maya doing a Doodle

Occupy Mexico:-Occupy Movement not widely known-There are two Occupations in Mexico City, they are like OPK, small, insular, and easily dismissed

Announcements:-January 26, Activist training workshop (talk to Tim M.)-Cornel West coming up!-4th of December, Mikey the organizer doing a skype session w/ Zapatistas in Harlem.


Announcements:-Maddie w/ break the silence (blog for anoymous posting on sexual assaut/relationship abuse) -Art gallery in the CC Weds-Fri -March on Friday at 3 -Looking for funding for food and supplies, etc. -GAAP giving $75.00-Maya planning GAAP conference (next semester)-Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter is super interesting, help get us connected (will be forwarded) -Watch Inside Job at the Crafted Kup or w/ Joel Tyner at someone's house-Ken Levinson wants to have a conversation at 9 somewhere in Main about Vassar's relationship to Poughkeepsie-Chomsky at SUNY New Paltz on Sunday, heads up-Concerned Students coalition, addressing issues on campus, meeting next week 9:30-10ish -Accesibility issues, confidentiality, sexual assault resources for JYA students, etc. wide spectrum-Vassar activist calendar/blog ([email protected]), look for email-Maybe we should inundate The Chronicle w/ GAAPy editorials-Two open seats to Fracking rally, leaving at 4, talk to Bix-Cornel West on Wednesday (at 8 in the Chapel)

Aramark:-Cathy couldn't make it today-Looking for way to mobilize-Talk to Zeke at Bard, they booted Aramark-A committee is meeting right now (Campus Dining Review Comm) we should talk to them at get them to come to a GAAP meeting -Rocky is doing that

Goldman Sachs:-Goldman Sachs comes to recruit interns from Vassar, many of whom land jobs (300k) soon after-Date to be determined, next semester-Mic Check them-Not trying to convince Goldman Sachs, but to let people know of the human consequences-Pass out a flyer as well

Occupy Poughkeepsie:-Women's safe space/workshop-Door knocking/community organizing for outreach-Friday at 7 go to GA to pitch both ideas (get a ride w/ Julia or Susan or Katia)



Frances Fox Piven:-Coming April 26th, 8, in the chapel-Rebuild the Dream needs an official org to handle it-Charlie says he'd take care of it

Aramark:-VSA VP for Student Life (Charlie Dobb)-There contract continues through next year, the negotiate will happen over the next year-Top three lowest factor = dining is one of them-Has been conducting research-VSA chartered Campus Dining Review Committee-Did in dorm conversations, did a broader town hall, did a peer review looking at other campus' food, conducted 6 focus groups, 4 special interest (athletes, environmental, food allergy, etc.)-Report will be handed over to the negotiating team-Alternatives? Realistically, its too tight in timeline to go through the whole process of getting a new provider. Also, different providers won't be much better-Looking at some innovative ways to make them more responsive -Push for a shorter term, a more probationary type of contract renewal -More stringent accountability mechanisms-Why can't we do it ourselves? -Money. Right now we can't even fund the study to bring an expert in to look at costs... -All the technical components are expensive to insure/supply w/out outside providers, in-house would be more expensive -We have no definite evidence that it would be better to boot aramark-They are prepared to pull if aramark doesn't meet our demands, they are genuine negotiations-We can't tell aramark what to do (although aramark says they are taking orders from Vassar HR according to Cathy)

Vassar Worker Contract:-Still in negotiations-Time clock still on the table, union still pushing back, not entertaining that-Once a month negotiations, hope the union gets tired, they haven't yet-Probably settle after break

Occupy Poughkeepsie-Thursday, got threatened w/ eviction-Over 100 showed up to defend it-Cops didn't raid it-On Friday, they were told they had to leave at 11, 50 people show up, police don't come back (probably bec. of a shooting)-Saturday night, two fire trucks and SUVs show up, a bored man puts out our coal fire-Sunday night, a text goes out, false alarm-Today at the GA, Julia heard that a bunch of cops had come down during the day to confiscate

fire making materials, but they had already gotten rid of the stuff-Post GA, councilwoman Johnson came down to talk, told that they want us gone ASAP, but fear bad press, so they are waiting, looking for compromise (keep the park clean/fire free), she was looking for a date for us to leave, dialogue has opened up a little-Outreach efforts going well -Saturdays at 11 in the CC MPR *this is pending -Tim working on a outreach flyer -Thursday noonish, vans leaving from OPK to present case for millionaires tax-GAs addressing occupying a foreclosed home, shits getting real

Announcements:-Follow up to Cornel West lecture dinner/discussion w/ VACA-Break the Silence all week, solidarity march Friday leaving from Aula at 3 (look for signs)-Evan Greer for after break, 25-26 of January, money: $700 a piece, so $1400, maybe look to a ViCE collab -Maybe fold her in to the Activist Conference-Let's be intentional ("on our shit") about organizing/community outreach w/ OPK


Worker Solidarity:-Different meeting time next semester-Negotiations are done-Subcontracting is out of the contract -No explicit statement that they have to hire Vassar workers though-Not happy about the medical stuff-Union workers vote on Friday-Get clear on summer jobs issue, in case we need to mobilize in the future

Leadership/Facilitation Transition:-Abby going to Cameroon, has held a leadership role-Send out emails, rep GAAP, recruit members, Cathy's point person, sort of set meeting agendas, point person for logistics-Maya's advice: a big plus is having a place where people can come to get help on a project-Having a "leader" is important, concentrates responsibility, get's things done-Co-Leadership?-Julia taking over, Alex helping out, and Jordan as well-Two email lists right now, weekly for meeting times and minutes (40 or so people) and mobilization-We should clean those up soon

Conference:-Last time, emphasis of the conference went from "alternatives" to how to build better communities, unite our activism, work together-Had a convo with people in Poughkeepsie about how to better communicate and bridge our gaps

-Shooting for March-Maybe pick up the "alternatives" thread, Maya wants to bring a midwife/scientist, do a birth/life/death theme-Maybe do urban forging w/ the guy VARC brought in (talk to Alan, pres. of VARC), maybe a mechanic to teach oil changes, etc.-Katia: incorporate health issues with issues of immigration, access, inclusion, create a dialogue (midwife and expert on healthcare access on the same panel together) -Show people that things they don't think are political are actually very political-Maybe have two conferences, one like the old one (building coalitions), and a separate new one focused on -Maybe do it earlier so we have time to channel the energy1. What are our collective goals, how can we mobilize all students2. How to navigate the VSA3. How to navigate Poughkeepsie-Create a publication out of the conference-Maybe do a show w/ the activist/musicians that Katie has been in touch with-Maybe look into Vassar's investments-We decided to have two conferences

Conference 1 (Building Coalitions):-We would need to have people come back a few days early to flyer, etc.-January 28th is tentative date, that weekend is clear-Get as many orgs as possible, make it collab rather than a moment of glory-Alan suggests we get the calendar up and running, moving into the role of SAU-Conversation about merging orgs, maybe talking about VACA and GAAP coming together or collabing more-Next step: drink and think on Friday to get together at 8:00 at 9 La Grange (Julia's house) to plan further-Thomas will reserve the room just in case

Outreach:-Door knocking this Tuesday and Wednesday with Service Employees Intl. Union rank and file about rally on Thursday w/ Occupy Poughkeepsie-A great way to engage the community about the Occupy Movement, a great way to connect unions and the students, etc. Contact Spencer ([email protected] for more info)-Send out mobilization email (times, places, info about rally, (PS. info about D17) numbers of SEIU contacts, Katia's contact info, Jeff's contact info). Spencer is on it.


Housekeeping:-Clean up the GAAP email list and add Ethan and Clara and Nick (Travis)-Sticking w/ Monday meetings it sounds like

Feb 3rd Conference:


-Friday from 3-7, Rocky 200-Purpose: bring all the different activists and orgs together to talk about what we're doing, coordinate better, and become more intersectional-6 workshops (in two sections, 15 minutes for Q/A), dinner, discussion, networking, come out of it with a calendar and maybe a directory -ISO (Bill)...where does he fit in -Looking for an org/leader to lead an "Intersections of Service and Activism" workshop -Alan will reach out to Hunger Action -Julia will reach out to her friend-Ethan: Spokes model (discussion and collaboration in a circle, structured around a question)l, envisioning processes, open space (free flowing conversation hubs)-It is on the campus schedule, Julia trying to put it on the Vassar Events email-Plug it at your org's meeting -VPI on Weds (Thomas)-What would the intro look like: org introductions (by one person), go around of names and affiliations-Planning meeting, Friday at 11 AM in TA 22 (Ethan's place), expect pancakes, look for reminder email (from Spencer)

Wordpress:-Thomas needs help with Wordpress (Bill will help)

Occupy:-Outreach still meeting-GA's Sunday, Wednesday (Family Partnership in African Roots Library), Friday (Quaker Meeting House)-Occupy PK's website: http://occupypoughkeepsie.org/-Occupy Road-trip coming through Feb 6, what do we want to do with this awesome resource? -Direct action? Teaching? -OPK wrestling with it-Ethan: Doing a training on social movement organizing and facilitating, Ethan wants to share (and learn) -Maybe do it with OPK, maybe do it informally at first -Part of Conference Number 2

Funds:-Need money for the next conference, and May 1st

Announcements:-Worker appreciation dinner (April maybe), keep in on your radar, GAAP-Bill: ISO wants to do an Occupy teach-in that focuses on the economy (post Spring Break), Reform or Revolution Weds-Occupy VSA?


http://occupypoughkeepsie.org/

Agenda:-Flyers-Last Minute Conf. things -Tim and getting food-OPK Road Trip-Future projects/Announcements

Flyers:-Alex has all the buildings divided up-Need some stamps

Conference:-Thomas went to SARC, we have all the corner classrooms that fit 30 people-We're in the newsletters, there's some buzz-Ethan will be here-Tomorrow night at 10 PM, meeting in Rose parlor on spokes council process w/ Ethan -If you are facilitating, come -If you are interested in horizontal/OWS processes, come-GAAP mobilization email (Thomas)-Recontact all the different orgs we've invited -Alex Deane has the list-Things for the conf., big butcher paper, markers, sticky-notes, and tape (bring it, not buy it)-Any takers on helping Julia w/ the "Intersections of Service and Activism" workshop (Alex is on it)-Tim looking at 60-100 coming, getting food from Rossi's, -Needs someone to pick it up, Julia is the point person

OPK:-Outreach Thursday w/ Katia-OWS Road Trip is coming through to visit OPK, they will be doing workshops, dinner w/ Dutchess Peace, think tank-GA wants anti-oppression trainings and facilitation trainings-We've be canvassing-Monday canvassing: it went well, we did right around Christ Episcopal Church-Katia is going out Thursday at 3:15, Nick is joining, email her if you can go

Announcements:-Rocky: VACA dinner talked about not knowing where Vassar's funds are invested (the endowment) -Campaign to make it transparent -At the Friday conf. -Betsy Eismeyer (sp), David English are the two people with a lot of this info (Jeremy's suggestion) -Maybe press for a written letter, maybe get some VSA involvement, office hours w/ Cappy, letter to board of trustees, tabling w/ petitions

-Ethan: a few years back there was (is?) a responsible investment committee -Ethan: Responsible Endowments Coalition is an org that does this kind of work nationally-Cathy can't make it this time, we'll be in touch-Katia: Worker Appreciation Dinner on April 18 -Waiting for details on how we can get involved-Save the Date May 1st-Thomas is getting projections for spending futures


Conference:-Better outreach? Table (actively) next time; small flyers for the library tables and ACDC-Maybe do a single workshop per month-Work on establishing a long term space? -Julia has list for calendar committee-Thank you emails for orgs invited to last conference -Spencer will look for list, if not, Thomas will send out some texts

Direction/Mission of GAAP:-Clarification of GAAP's purpose needed-Why have some former GAAPers stopped showing up? Generation gap-Why the sudden departure of many people of color?-Male/female ratio-It sounds like we might need to have series of conversations about these issues -What should GAAP be as an organization -How do we make GAAP an inclusive org? Why are there so few people of color? -Naomi will look into getting a space on Ferry (they're meeting on Weds) -Do it Thursday the 16th? -Thomas will look into a contact CLRG (they did a thing on activism and privilege) -Long time GAAPers can contact those who have left

Activist Assembly:-Fri the 24th, 4-6, college center MPR, first activist assembly-Reserve tables the week leading up to that -Let people know about the activist assembly -Sell moon cups-Fundraising, we need a schedule for tabling (so people can have money for moon cups)

Other Stuff:-Rocky will check in with someone who is having a conversation with the administration about potential donations-Next Conference, probably after Spring break


March 1st:-National Day of Action for Education; Occupy Movement and student assemblies through the country (including CA and NYC) are calling for a day of protest and solidarity to confront the crisis in education. See occcupyed.org for more info-Vassar Young Democratic Socialists, Democracy Matters/Rebuild the Dream, and other activists are organizing for a walkout/rally/assembly at Vassar in conjunction with a walkout at Dutchess Community College-We're in the process of getting in touch with dept. heads (so they can contact all professors) and speakers, as well as community members; we have a lot of outreach to do to make this a kick-ass event-We are meeting Thursday at 8PM in the Jewett MPR to continue oranizing for M1, will send a reminder email to GAAP-Steve (President Political Science Club at DCC): -DCC has Hist. Dept. on board, a lot of faculty sympathy -Have a meeting tomorrow -Tried connecting with Bard and Marist -Have a unifying place for both students to meet for a rally -There is some admin crackdown on Occupy efforts -Alliance for Quality Education-Talk about what's going on in Arizona w/ the ethnic studies-Education dept. Kate Olsen, look for info from Thomas-Invite a teachers union? Katia has concerns about the PK Teacher's Union, need to have a conversation about these issues-Do a press release, contact PoJo and Midhudson News-Stay in touch w/ DCC about sharing supplies/time to make a banner-GAAP will support it with activists and some money (consensus on both)

Rich Hutnik and a Hudson Valley Conference:-Discussion at OPK was to do an Occupy Hudson Valley (right now a small group doing phone calls)-Have a regional assembly-Regional summit for any civic, religious, political org, to meet together to do a conference, have a GA, set up tables, etc.-Make it big during the summer, use farm land, have a big revival type thing-Sort of like the GAAP Conference, writ large, on a Hudson Valley scale-Occupy is going to have to do a lot of leg work on this-GAAP can help, esp. in the PK area-Katia: Vassar is not a neutral place, we should actively look for other sites-Get a group to begin doing this outreach-Do small conferences leading up to a big get-together-Steve: OPK did a rally coordinating w/ Moveon.org, but there is difficulty getting different orgs to come together, it requires a lot of contacting, networking, and time-Work on this on Feb. 24th activist assembly

http://occcupyed.org/

-Stay after and talk with Rich if you're interested, or email him: [email protected]

Financial Transparency at Vassar:-Rocky wants to have a GAAP led effort to find out where our endowment is invested-John Joyce has pointed her to a senior friend (Anna) who is interested in donating in the future, who sat down w/ Cappy-Cappy was dismissive of financial transparency, she doesn't have any idea where the money is, we have 10-12 portfolio managers, we are likely invested in almost all big corporations, Cappy doesn't see the need to divest in any corporation, concerned about keeping it need blind and believes if we divest that will be threatened, there have only been two known divestment campaigns (Apartheid in South Africa, and from Sudan), we will have to have a few targeted companies worth divesting from, and be willing to mobilize to exert some pressure-We need to do some research on our own-Maybe get in contact with students in other schools (Yale, etc.) who have done work like this in the past-Talk to Steve Dahmert, maybe have Anna continue this (she's the one who had that discussion w/ Cappy), Rocky will email GAAP to see who wants to sit in (keep it small though)-GAAP's goal: long-term financial transparency, can then choose specific companies from there

Bill and the ISO:-Another Occupy conf.-Where we came from, where do we go from here-ISO is starting to organize, meeting at Weds at 6:30 on it-April 14th is the planned date-Bring people from all over the Hudson Valley, students, activists, professors, Occupiers, etc.-Get in touch with Bill if you are interested, or go to the ISO's Weds meeting

Thursday GAAP Intergenerational Get-together:-Thurs, 9:00PM at Beige Buddha-Alan is hosting-Rocky will make a FB event-Music, discussion, drink and think-Thomas will figure out questions and discussion prompters


Agenda:-March 1st-Campus Activist Assembly (Friday)-Announcements-New Campaign Idea-Travis

Charlie Dobb:-Endowment transparency initiative


-Overall goal is just to see where we're investing, and then move from there-How to see where/how our endowment is investment-It's unclear who the best person to talk to is -Invest advisory committee (Faculty/student/admin/board of trustees), charged with researching and investigating the companies we're investing in -Formed in response to main takeover during Apartheid era, run under Board of Trustees (not VSA) -Chain of command is unclear, but they do have control; its a voting committee, can divest by vote -Jason Rubin, Travis Edwards, and a third at large member (getting appointed soon), Betsy, Cappy are on it-Charlie can get a list of names to us (via Rocky)-Committee meets at the end of the year-It is a sealed committee; they need to demonstrate a reason for this-Info might be lacking because the firms we're working w/ don't always divulge on the info how the returns they're bring back to us-Talk to Betsy Eismeier, Senior officer of finance-Charlie will bring this back to the VSA Exec Board -Cappy's concerns with accessibility are a little overblown -All these corporations are in to bad stuff, there will always be compromises, but some compromises are better than others-Look at peer insitutions-Check in with the people on the board, from there look at a VSA petition, figure it out from there-Check in w/ Responsible Endowments Coalition-Have a member of GAAP run for the at large committee

March 1st:-M1 is a national day of action for education. Education is a right not a privilege. We're walking out and rallying on Thursday March 1st, skip your classes, go to quad at 11:30, hear some speeches, march, get together and talk, and meet up with DCC students-More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/228731620554581/-Even more info: occupyed.org-Next meeting Thursday at 8 in the Jewett MPR, if you are interested-Shit that needs doing: tabling (Friday, and guerrilla tabling next week), paint banners Saturday at 2PM on (contact Alex Deane), flyering -Contact Alex Deane and or Spencer Resnick-Set up a bunch of meetings w/ Administrators -Roellke: talk w/ president of VSA, talk to Dean of Faculty -Pittman: ALl college day this Weds (1:30-3), we could probably have a table in the retreat [email protected] to reserve a table-We will be contacting on the chairs in the depts., you should be able to make up work in most departments-Flyering plan: flyers should be printed by Weds or Thursday, come Thursday to get an assignment, if you can't make that send an email to [email protected], or check the VSA mailbox under GAAP



http://occupyed.org/

http://www.facebook.com/events/228731620554581/

-Spencer will send an email to Charlie w/ info on M1 to distribute to the VSA (and through them all the students)

Friday's Campus Activist Assembly:-4-6 in the Faculty Commons (the room by the retreat)-To create a space for coordination and collaboration between groups-Revisit some of the stuff that came out of the conference-Generate an agenda, or get a facilitator to set an agenda, and/or a framing question-Yanee and Michael will co-facilitate, Thomas and Ethan will help-Thomas has the email list, so he will send an email to everyone

Announcement:-Tomorrow from 5-7, Non-violent direct action training w/ Ethan (http://www.facebook.com/events/326392334064452/)-Non-violent DA as a strategy for social, collabing w/ the greens-Spencer will extend a FB invite to OPK DA-Workers' appreciation dinner has a committee now (MECHA is preparing for that) -Someone from GAAP can get involved and rep us -Katia will put you in touch -April 18

New Campaign:-Campaign to get rid of the felony box in Vassar's hiring application-Idea behind it is that felony check-box is one of many systematic ways that formerly incarcerated people are kept out of mainstream society-Talk to faculty who know about it, talk to VPI, anticipate push back-Connected to "Liberation Summer," organizing a mass mobilization against institutional racism (Ethan is going to be working on that every weekend in NYC)-The New Jim Crow, discussion at the Family Partnership Center (Library)

Travis:-Who wants to contact him (in regards to the endowment and investment committee)-Thomas will do it


Agenda:-Emails-Activist Assembly-GAAP Constitution-Spring Break-Tap That-M1-Constitution-Suggestions


-Cuba Trip

Emails:-Fem Alliance wants a speaker for April 26; a trans feminist activist named Pauline Park; they want some help with advertising, some money -Maybe have them in the same space -It's the same time and day as Frances Fox Piven, Alex is letting them know so we can figure it out -She should email them about maybe doing it in the same space (Taylor Hall possibly)-Hunger Action is having a student engagement conference (Town/Gown relations, Mid-hudson valley's issues), panel of community access, catered meals, college activists -Find out what kind of infrastructure they have, maybe help them reach out to other colleges

Activist Assembly:-Calendar is getting done-Do more outreach for events if we want people to show up, they need buy in-Do organizing drives instead; explicitly go out to each org and get the buy-in, build the relationships, get the contact info -Maybe do that once we have a physical calendar, come to orgs with the calendar-Reach out to all of the student of color orgs-GAAP as an umbrella org? Or not...We have two purposes: campaigns, and an umbrella/alliance org-1st two weeks back from break, do an organizing drive w/ the calendar, and conclude a few weeks later have a get-together to decide what kind of format -Thomas is heading our Party Committee, join him by giving him an email -Thomas has a comprehensive list of orgs

Spring Break:-Left forum (March 16-18), massive conf. of leftists; socialists, anarchists, commies, academics, non-academics, only $15 for students at Pace University -http://www.leftforum.org/-Ethan will be in the city for Occupy Wall Street stuff, contact him, all are welcome -May 1st organizing -M17 Reoccupation taking place (likely) -Liberation Summer

Tap That:-Resolution to get bottled water banned on campus-Resolution is gonna get passed, will take a while though, it was tabled so that VSA leaders could check in with their constituents -Email your VSA rep about the issue. A couple emails will sway them-Going to Committee on College Life (CCL), and then to Cappy's desk-There is a good chance it will get done

M1:-We've signed up with Occupy Colleges; they want pictures of our event, send it to

http://www.leftforum.org/

[email protected]

Constitution:-Has to get done by March 26, forming the committee now-We should have a constitution committee-Maya will find an old copy, Thomas will send a reminder text-Constitutional Committee (Maya, Thomas, Michael, Allan, Naomi, Spencer) will meet first week we get back

Suggestions:-Organizing drive for voters to vote in PK -Wed with an educating drive -Talk to Vassar Dems-GAAP Bible (doc of intentional practice): our constitution, effective organizing tactics, contacts, history/recap -We're going to do this, we'll set up a committee when we get back-Accountability -Maya: be real with yourself, know how to delegate -Do community agreements, have a culture of support -Make tasks lists, be specific when creating tasks -Do a recap w/ assignments (do that at the top of the minutes emails); this will begin when we get back from break

Cuba Trip:-Summer in Cuba-Venceremos Brigade: Oldest US/Cuba Solidarity org, all volunteer based-July 8-23rd-Costs $1500, including air fare, go through Canada-Go in opposition to embargo and travel ban-Changed Maya's life, allows you to see Cuba as it is-Has a service component (painting, agriculture, etc.)-Look for email from Maya

GAAP Minutes (3.26.12)Agenda:-Announcements-OWS Police Brutality Protest-Org List-VEI/Foreclosure WGAccountability:-Bix: set up conference call w/ Responsible Endowments-Everyone else: figure out wordpress, go to your org meetings-Julia, Bix, Spencer, Rocky, Tim, Alex: remember to fund-raise-Spencer: post GAAP minutes to the wordpress


Announcements:-94 bucks of mooncup-VACA dinner is not this Thursday the 6 (6:30 Kenyon Club room)-Thursday the 5th, at 5:30, film screening of Israeli Peace Movement (directer coming to talk about it, panel discussion with professors, and Amnesty has food)-VSA passed the tap that resolution-Ethan is doing another Nonviolent DA meeting, Monday April 9, from now at 4:30 (during Ethan/Bix's class), Blodget 242OWS Police Brutality Protest:-1500 or so people-One 16 year old girl got her rib broken by the NYPD, a handful of arrests-Very tense at times, directed against the NYPD, Trayvon and NYC shootings still freshOrg List:-ASU, BSU, Christian Fellowship, MICA, Community and Christian Fellowship-Document with all group meeting times, divide them up-If you have an assignment, learn to use the activist wordpress site, go to your org's meeting, explain how to work it, and become a long-term liaison for GAAP (go to a meeting per month)-Email your VSA rep. to get them to pitch this to their constituents-You should have gone to your org before April 16-Accountability: in a couple weeks, be prepared to summarize your contact with your org-http://vassaractivists.wordpress.com/VEI/Foreclosure WG:-Anti-foreclosure/eviction meetings Saturdays at 2 in the CC-Getting a list of auctions to disrupt-Responsible Endowment Coalition, Bix talked to 'Martin', we'll do a longer conference call, they have a 100 page student handbook to look through-It's on their website, look through it-Bix will set up a call, he'll let us know-Two main ways to create transparency, 1. investment committee 2. a responsible investments policyTo Do:-Hillary-Logo-Depts

GAAP Minutes (4.3.12)Agenda:-Announcements-Trayvon Martin Rally-Wordpress follow-up/org outreach-VEI/May Day-Act Out-Party/Cuba-GAAP rep to the Admin on the CC/bookstore-Department funding

http://vassaractivists.wordpress.com/

Announcements:-Thurs 5:30, Rocky 200, film screening on Israeli peace movements, director has flown in for discussion-Naomi is the contact-Thurs, 7PM, Villard rm, drag show-VACA class at vassar discussion dinner at 7:00 on [email protected] Day coalition meeting Weds @10 PM in the ALANA centerTrayvon Martin Rally:-Around 100 people attended, including 15 or so Vassar students and faculty-It was about Trayvon, but also about life in Poughkeepsie and people's fears in the black community-Diverse crowd by race and age-Katia is suggesting getting a Vassar van-If you want to drive, you need a form from your DMV, it costs 50cents per mile, it'll be like 3 dollars in total-Katia will reserve a van through GAAP-Thomas will drive the van-CLRG "Race privilege and teh Trayvon Martin Case" April 17, 5PM (prob in the Kenyon club room)Wordpress/Org outreach:-Calendar is working!-Put Trayvon rally on the calendar-Go the wordpress for your org assignmentsAct Out:-9-14th of April, act out w/ others are looking to put together a series of events for pride week-GAAP and the future of LGBT activism, exchange of ideas, alternative perspectives that aren't always visible in act out-Weds April 11th, Gender variance day, a dinner in Kenyon club room, free food and discussion (time isn't finalized yet)-Bix, Thomas, Jeremy, Rocky, Emily, Adriana are interested in going-More info coming (from Thomas)-Fruit salads! Go to them!VEI/May Day:-Responsible Endowment Coalition, conference call is happening Weds at 5, waiting for a confirmation email from Martin the organizer-Jeremy now officially has the position, is investigating Chevron for environmental and labor rights issues-If you want to help w/ research-Jeremy can go the Greens with info-VSA resolution for next year-May Day will start at 3 in front of the library, we'll march down the the Family Partnership Center and back, we may be build a wall, write on it, and knock it down-Mention May Day to everyone you knowGAAP Party/Cuba-Venceremos Brigade, Cuba trip (see Maya's email)


-Manse and Maya will bring to VB folks up to talk about the org and the trip-Could GAAP host it (on the 21st of April)-Speakers will come and we can have our GAAP party at Maya's place on College Ave-Speakers fund...probably not-Discretionary fund (criteria is just benefit to VC community), Manse will do it-VSA website to apply-GAAP money (from wheat grass shot fund raising)-Trip happens around July 18thGAAP Rep to Admin to ex-bookstore space:-A space for activist orgs to have an office and meeting space-We should totally pitch this idea, we have the data to back it up (a list of activist orgs, bring notes from our conference, and a history of having the space w/ SAU)-Maybe have a coop coffee shop w/ seating, a white board, etc.-April 9, 5-6:30 in the Rose Parlor; talk to Terry Quin and Dean Roellke and some other administrators-Michael, Naomi, and Alex, Spencer, the more the merrier will try to make itDepartment Funding:-Ethnic studies and women's studies are generally underfunded-If anyone knows department funding, talk to GAAP-Talk to Rachel Ritter-Look to get a Women's Studies endowment-Admin doesn't think we should have an endowment because WMST grads don't make money and donate to the school-Emily will look into it

GAAP MINUTES (4.9.12 )Agenda:- Announcements- Liaisons- Responsible EndowmentTown Hall about student space in bookstore space report back:- Consolidate with the Kiosk, have coffee shop space. Resistance to student co-op idea (concerned about health & safety, union issues)- Naomi said we wanted offices/meeting space for orgs, storage space, replace SAU room – they told her there are other storage spaces on campus that we should figure out- Audit of student spaces over the summer, more meetings in the fall to discussMeeting with Cathy- Cathy is now VP of SEIU chapter here- She says she has forged better connections with managers, having biweekly meetings, things are getting better- Negotiating with Ruth in Human Resources; doesn’t seem to be going well.- If we want to yell at someone about not out-sourcing jobs for the summer, talk to Betsy Eismeier -> could be a long-term project- Brainstorm long-term projects for next meeting (Sundays @ 530PM in the DC). Bix will be here over the summer if someone is needed.

CARES- Miriam Perezman: lecture on sexual assault & social justice, reception: Wednesday 5:30-7PM, CARES wants 2 GAAP people there, Thomas will email about itEthan:- Party at TA 22 on Friday evening (9-10pmish) for the Greens- This is a party with alcohol- The theme is MinnesotaEarth Week- Week after this week- Veg Pledge: VARC & The Greens – limit environmental impact by pledging to eat vegetarian for 1 week- http://www.facebook.com/events/338569669534935/- 5 people will get free vegan goodies at the end of the week baked by Alan- Events planned all week – see fb event- See Alan to pledgeMay Day- Tuesday, last day of classes, May 1st,

- US-Mexico border class is building a wall for the event, contact Julia/Katia if you want to help- Organizing meeting in the ALANA center: 10pm Wednesday, join FB page- Things in NYC won’t start until 6:30pm if people want to do bothNY Dream Act: let undocumented youth go to college and get residency!- Rally in front of ACDC 7PM WednesdayJaspir Puar: lecture on homonationalism: 5PM tomorrow Taylor 203April 18th: If you can commit to being somewhere between 4 and 6PM on April 18th, email [email protected] (it’s really cool, you’ll find out the details later)Responsible Investing Project (RIP): Rocky & Bix- It’s a complicated project that will last many years and probably not get very far. There are many hundreds of pages to read.- Bix and Rocky have created a googledoc with plan for spring, summer, and next fall.- Goal: transparent investing & responsible investment policy- Might create subcommittee to work on this – Rocky, Bix, Christian, Jeremy, Ethan- Jeremy is on CIRC- For the time being, keep information on the DL so that whole campaign isn’t ruined by impulsive campaign on chevron- Spring: assemble subcommittee, sign up for summer retreats, write Misc articles: get statements from alum who met with Cappy, Charlie Dobbs, talk to other schools that have done similar campaignso Spencer will contact those people & get info for Misc articles, which he/other people will write at some point- Summer: REC training retreats – Rocky will send out the link (need people to go to these): Racine, Wisconsin: July 29th-Aug 4th, Aug 18th-24th; create proposal for responsible investment policy; compile list of possibly supportive professors, alumso http://www.endowmentethics.org/summer-organizing-retreat- Fall: launch campaign, make this a campus-wide issue, get alums on board, have a REC teach-in

http://www.endowmentethics.org/summer-organizing-retreat



Task that needs to be done:- Entering data into excel spreadsheets, helping out Poughkeepsie activists: mid-Hudson police conduct surveys collected at Trayvon Martin rallies, contact lists need to be digitized- Would be good to have done by Wednesday- MICHAEL will do it, hooray thank you!April 14th, this upcoming Saturday:- community BBQ at Mansion Square Park, Trayvon Martin Rally pt.3- 2-4PM Foreclosure meeting in CC 204EVERYBODY GO TO THE MEETINGS THAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO AND TALK ABOUT MAY DAY

GAAP Minutes (4.16.12)Agenda:-Announcements/Agenda Adds-Tabling-Cuba Event-Trayvon Martin-REI-Fall Leadership Conference-Wordpress UpdatesAnnouncements:-April 27, meeting in NYC w/ Angela Davis about Liberation Summer, CUNY grad center, 8PM (Ethan is contact)-Bix, Katia, maybe Alex, Spencer-Maybe see how it fits into PK stuff (New Jim Crow lecture series, Trayvon Rallies)-Thanks to Michael for compiling data from Trayvon events-Race, Privilege and Trayvon Martin 5PM Tues or Weds?-Tues April 24th Faculty Commons 10PM-Thurs 6:30, MBSA event on race-We have Marist contacts now; Praxis forum April 25th, join Bix for May Day, Piven, and other tabling-Pick up trash after founders day, bec. that's hell day for workers, pitch this at the workers appreciation dinner-This Weds 5:30-7:30 in the Aula, Workers Appreciation Dinner!-Plotkin introducing PivenTabling:-Recruit for REI, or any GAAP related stuff-Google doc on most recent email to sign up for tabling-Tabling for CubaCuba Event/Party:-We got $1800-Saturday, 5:30 Rocky-Setup at 4:45 (Michael, Thomas, Manse)-Twisted soul for empinadas, leftovers for party

-Party is: Caribbean Theme, Whole house party, starts at 9PM-Put it on the wordpress (Spencer)Communications Workers of America (CWA):-CWA at Vassar is organized and militant-Contract negotiations are coming up-Vassar is going to try to make them pay for medical, it could be heated-Bix and Spencer are meeting with Carl (their rep)-People are wearing red on Thursdays in solidarity-We want to buy CWA shirts for "Red Thursdays"-Apply to the discretionary fund for long-term-Get 15 short term shirts in the meantime (75$)Trayvon Rally Funding:-GAAP is good $100REI:-CIRC, who is running?-Vote Adriana, and the ones with statementsFall Leadership Conf.:-Have to go to a leadership conf.-Thomas needs a volunteer to go with him, must know by the 24th-Alex and Christian are interested-Email ThomasWordpress Updates:-Julia: Eye to Eye is super excited; Council of Black Seniors not so much-Alex: Fem Alliance is on it; Dems will happen; VPI pending-Naomi: Greens

GAAP Minutes (4.23.12)

Agenda:-Announcements-CWA-Tabling-Annual Budgeting-Liaising-Piven-REC/Leadership Conference-Weekend-May Day-Membership "diversity"

Announcements:-Money for Mae Parker Harris (Thomas)-Friday noon Students' Class Issues Alliance SCIA, CC 237 for a discussion lunch-Weds, Film screening 7PM Rocky 200, Occupation has no future (Israel/Palestine issues), prof and director panel

-Bix wants to record the Piven lecture-New Jim Crow book club, next discussion this Weds at the FPC at 6PM

CWA:-Contact ends June 30th, have to negotiate a new one-Money-Meetings

Annual Budgeting:-Thomas asked for 3,000 (we got 2,000 this yearTabling:-Bix should list of RIP list from Maya

Liaising:-No new updates

Piven:-We need someone to record it-Talk to media resources (Katia)-Audio and extension cord needed-Naomi will record it-Pitch it to your classes-If you have room draw during the lecture, send a proxy, look for the most recent Luis Inoa email (tomorrow at 5)REC/Fall Leadership Conference:-Spencer is doing the shitty figurehead stuff; he can send a proxy-Thomas will put that down by tomorrow-Hit up Rocky if you want to attend a summer workshop on responsible endowments

Weekend:-Bix, Katia, Thomas, Ethan interested in liberation summer stuff and Colombia College events;http://www.iraas.com/files/pdf/MMarableConf2012.pdf-Greens going to Powershift

May Day:-Wall construction taking place throughout the week-It's going well-If you want to help for day of see a google doc the the Facebook pageMembership "Diversity":-Norms: Step up and step back (don't dominate the convo), listen, speak kindly, assume good intentions, Comfort/Risk(confronting privilege)/Danger(shutting down, getting bitter), stay in the risk zone-From a couple months ago, why did you drop out of GAAP? Thomas: mostly personal reasons, although some expressed discomfort at individuals in GAAP-Thomas will follow up-May Day as a good precedent for MEChA contacts, participating in non-GAAP campaigns

http://www.iraas.com/files/pdf/MMarableConf2012.pdf

based out of ALANA center-Outreach campaign helps put us in spaces outside of our own-GAAP can be intense, we already know what's going on, new members might not, easy to not account for people's different levels of comfort-Steep learning curve; a reflection of white male culture-Explain each agenda item-GAAP's work may attract a certain demographic of people; maybe the issue is more deeply imbedded-Have a spiel?-Big Brother/Sister, or a shadowing program-MEChA uses it for their committees, Upperclassmen are responisble for showing Freshman and Sophomores the ropes, they "shadow" them-As new people come in, we can say, "your a new face, would like someone to shadow?", continually address throughout the year

GAAP Minutes (4.30.12)

FINAL GAAP MEETING OF 2011-2012

Agenda:-Announcements and Agenda Add-ons-May Day-Summer-Logo-Future projects-GoodbyesAnnouncements:-War on Women, Attacks on Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Rights Teach-in Friday, May 4th 1-3:30PM, Rocky 300-http://www.facebook.com/events/291327180955227/-MICA/Vassar Dems debate, Tuesday (Don't Go! Its fucking MAY DAY)-Piven was amazing-Liberation Summer Planning happened last Friday (w/ Angela Davis); positive experience-Lots of help still needed-New GAAP budget: $2,250

May Day:-Plug it, talk about, go to it-General Strike tomorrow. No Work. No School. No Shopping. No Chores.-We have a final organizing meeting tonight at midnight-MEChA has a good model going: every time a task is completed or someone has an update and problem-2PM Rally on campus (in front of the library); there will be a wall/interactive space, speeches, open mic, shirt-making and sign-making-4PM March down Main St. to the Family Partnership Center; speeches, performances, food,


tables-Wear white!

Summer:-NJ: July 29-Aug 4-Accessible by train-Yanee planning on going-Looking for a car-Bix will front some cash-Rocky looking in to housing-Look into coalitions with other colleges

Logo:-Thanks to Naomi-Incorporates all our metaphors-Going forward: more options, scanned, emailed, wordpressedProjects:-We have a running list going on the wordpress (http://vassaractivists.wordpress.com/organizations/grassroots-alliance-for-alternative-politics/ideas-and-future-projects/)-A debate with MICA/Dems-An expertly facilitated discussion on inclusion and diversity-GAAP Historian-GAAP Bible-Spencer will be a point person ([email protected])-Stay tuned for an email from Spencer for various input-Google doc-Final product as a pdf. on the wordpress

Goodbyes/Union clap


http://vassaractivists.wordpress.com/organizations/grassroots-alliance-for-alternative-politics/ideas-and-future-projects/

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