For those who maintain the occupation at night and all day: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” ~ John Milton (1608 – 1674) from Sonnet XIX.
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The first section below the jump is a simple meeting schedule for Nov. 24-28. Below that are listed planned events, then informational postings.
The last section includes downloadable posters/artwork donated by artists for the cause. Note the included disclaimer.
SCHEDULED ACTIONS (Click links or see below the jump for more details):
Solidarity Protest for Egypt – Fri., Nov. 25:Friday November 25th, 2pm-5pm 5718 Westheimer Road , Suite 1350 Houston, TX 77057
Black Friday Action (Fri., Nov. 25): Mic Check at the Galleria Friday November 25th 5:30pm, Westheimer and Post Oak…
OccupyHouston Calendar
COMMENTARY: THOUGHTS AFTER THANKSGIVING
General Info (Below The Jump) About Occupy Houston, and why you might like to attend. <–Click Link
Workgroups NEAR THE BOTTOM, BELOW THE JUMP.
OccHou’s Guide to General Assembly <–CLICK HERE, OR SCROLL DOWN AFTER JUMP
Contribute <–Click here for more
Over the first few days of accepting contributions, we are so heartened by the generosity of folks who have brought us water, food, and several other items that made our first overnight in the park much more comfortable. …
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OccupyHouston Calendar
Friday November 25th, 2pm-5pm 5718 Westheimer Road , Suite 1350 Houston, TX 77057
Please, come and stand for Egypt freedom against brutality in Egypt. Stand for future of Egypt.
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No Shopping Day Event: Mic Check at the Galleria Friday November 25th 5:30pm, Westheimer and Post Oak.
After the Solidarity March on the Egyptian Consulate, meet at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak at 5:30pm, chant, mic check, and distribute papers. At 6:00pm we go inside the mall, where there is a big sign that says “THE GALLERIA”.
If you get there late join us inside the mall. The spirit of the action is “No to consumerism, Give LOVE.” Bring chants, posters, Occupy Houston newspapers, songs, your friends.
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COMMENTARY: THOUGHTS AFTER THANKSGIVING
I believe this.
If you don’t, take a look around and ask yourself, “why shouldn’t I believe that my participation in a community effort, that has an international following, will make a difference?” Last I checked, there are 951 occupations worldwide in 82 countries. Tell me that isn’t #solidarity. Now is the time to show that Every Little Bit Helps–and your involvement will shape HOW it helps. So follow me, city of Houston (and beyond), if you will.
Occupy Houston is, in many ways, like other occupy movements melding together out of mutual causes and beliefs; however, noting the distinctions is a worthwhile endeavor to clarify root issues this flavor of the movement will continue to face in the name of progress.
I’ve seen people from many walks of life here–full time employees of major companies, small business owners, part-time baristas, housewives, lone rangers and rebels. Also worth noting are the many that are homeless (previous groups included) due to economic insecurity, family issues, drug abuse, or a willingness to give themselves to the cause of OWS (the 24hr occupants), freeing themselves from some of the previous responsibilities of their lives prior to OH. The jobless have tried again and again to find work or were threatened by the very employers they rely on to sustain their families. Unions lack power in a right-to-work state, especially recently.
Occupy Houston has a fundamental need to understand its roots and purpose in local government and politics around the greater Houston area and the rest of Texas as well. Our political leanings and local economy distinguish us from other regions in Texas also.
Those who have traveled across the country, especially in the light of recent events, have had more of a taste of the flavors of occupie and activism, beyond Houston, as well as issues our local movement may not be familiar with. The best, and probably largest, current examples we have to learn from are in Egypt, Libya, and OWS, with OccupyLA making more headlines lately.
With regard to this, Occupy Houston, specifically, serves purposes in the community, too, but what can we share that other flavors of the movement haven’t yet had a taste of? Based on current sustainability efforts in Tranquility Park and the discussions about Mobile Occupation, our best moves may yet be the ability to mobilize a huge city in near-completely invisible solidarity. Or do we stick it out and show how to occupy a public park and, by tooth and nail, turn it into one of the best sustainability efforts Houston (and elsewhere) has seen yet? What are OH’s abilities to meet needs which are invisible anywhere else? How can we diversify the palate of Houston’s residents to battle apathy? How do we better tailor the movement’s efforts to meeting the needs of the stricken and willing 99%?
Let’s share a taste of OccHouPie with the world. Why? Because flavors of occupie taste different–they’re made different and they have different ingredients (but they have the same base elements). Besides, H-town’s pretty tasty.
PS: Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you shared your love for pie and each other with one another under the roof of #solidarity that will continue to change the way we look at the world from this point on.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION POSTED RECENTLY:
At the Nov 22nd GA, we passed a proposal to skip GA on the 24 and have a Fall Harvest Feast starting at 6PM instead.
Just to remind everyone, Waste Management (not the best corporate citizen) will be holding…
Houston, TX, November 21, 2011 – At approximately 5:15 PM, a man wearing business attire and carrying a rifle entered Tranquility Park from the parking garage stairwell at the corner of Bagby and Rusk. He fired several …
We’re posting pics, videos, and news of the N17 day of action as we get them. If you’ve got your own please post to our facebook wall or use the #OccupyHouston hash tag. Thanks, everyone!
From @JdOtWiLl…
“Occupy”-themed Print Flyers
 PDF Version |
 PDF Version |
 PDF Version |
more flyers at OccupyTogether.org
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“Occupy”-themed Posters: The Page for These Is Here
The posters provided on this page were graciously donated by graphic designers and are free for you to download, print, and hang up within your community, not only to promote local efforts, but the solidarity of all occupiers around the country.
Due to the growing number of submissions and the limited availability of our volunteers, we are no longer accepting open submissions at this time.
Note: Please respect city ordinances about posting such materials. Occupy Together does not post these materials and are not responsible for how they are used.
DESIGN RESOURCES
OccuPrint.org PDF posters, print lab, instructions and tutorials on DIY screen-printing!
OccupyDesign.org Icons, posters & info-graphics building a visual language for the 99%.
ObeyGiant.com Downloadable posters by Shepard Fairey.
You can download the Occupy Together Designer Toolkit here.
WEB BANNERS
Right-click and Save As to download.
Use This Code to Embed This Banner To Your Site: <img src="http://www.occupytogether.org/posters/OT_Bnr1.jpg" />
POSTERS
Right-click and Save As to download these PDF posters.
Poster by Occupy Together 
Poster by Occupy Together
Poster by Occupy Together
Poster by Occupy Together
Poster by Occupy Together 
Poster by aPseudoAlias
Poster by cgwalnut
Poster by Fabian
Poster by Justin Kemerling 
Sticker Template by cgwalnut
Poster by Chelsea W 
Poster by Chrisian Soulliere
Poster by Matt W 
Poster by Matt W
Poster by McMillian + Furlow 
Poster by McMillian + Furlow
Poster by Nathan M 
Poster by wethe99percent
Poster by Joel Gehman 
Poster by Alexa Lindh
Poster by B.L. Singelton 
Poster by Jimmy
Poster by Eric 
Poster by Cinthia G
Poster by Deanna L 
Poster by Edward B
Poster by Emily S 
Poster by Nate W
Poster by Ronrico
Poster by Lesley & Pea 
Poster by Michael P
Poster by Milton R 
Poster by Monica E
Poster by Mooch 
Poster by Pat
Poster by Rich J 
Poster by Rodrigo
Poster by Raina Dayne 
Poster by Raina Dayne
Poster by Raina Dayne 
Poster by Raina Dayne
Poster by Raina Dayne 
Poster by Raina Dayne
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Poster by Raina Dayne
Poster by Mark M. 
Poster by Samuel O.
Poster by Dustin B. 
Poster by Villa M.
Poster by Villa M. 
Poster by Aaron K.Links
- Delicious Stack of Info regarding #Occupy Movement worldwide
- OccupyHouston Facebook
- OccupyHouston Flickr
- OccupyHouston Livestream
- OccupyHouston Twitter
- OccupyHouston YouTube
- OccupyTogether.org
- Quick Guide to People’s General Assembly
OccHou’s Guide to General Assembly
From the beginning Occupy Houston adopted a general guideline consisting of a consensus type of model for decision making (consensus rather than majority rule, for example). The specific guide that was selected as a basic reference point was : Quick Guide On Group Dynamics in People’s Assemblies. For the most part we have remained true to this as a basic guideline, except a few places. For example, we had so few people for the first few GAs that there was little need for a floor-time coordinator, just a stack person, along with moderator and minutes taker.
During a GA (General Assembly) there is an Agenda, which includes an introduction to GA, any proposals that have been carried over from past GAs, announcements, and then the Stack, which is a list of people who wish to make announcements or proposals. When a proposal is stated, a group decision is reached via the consensus process. This process sometimes takes a lot of time to hear everyone out and make the necessary adjustments to where EVERYone can agree and pass a proposal, but this is also the beauty of consensus decision making: no proposal is passed without every person either on-board or able to accept the given proposal.
The consensus process is a type of group decision making. Occupy Houston started with ‘consensus’ defined as unanimous consensus, meaning there can be no blocks in order for a proposal to be accepted.
At this time the consensus process as relates to blocks, works like this: If one one or more blocks are made, those blocking have the opportunity to speak for 2 minutes. The moderator tries to pick a few (even amount of) speakers AGAINST and FOR the proposal, and often sets an overall time for the debate period. After the debate period, consensus will be measured again. One block per proposal (if you already blocked the first round, you may not block again on the same proposal, but can if it is significantly revised and re-presented). If it is still blocked, then the proposal is tabled for the next General Assembly and anyone is free to meet-up after the Assembly to discuss and work on proposals.
During the last week several proposals have been made to somehow amend this definition in cases where there are 1 or very few blocks relative to the total number of attendees (total number of those consenting to the proposal). Some of these include taking a majority vote after 1 or more rounds of consensus taking and debate, but so far no proposal of a specific majority (2/3, 3/4, 9/10 have all been proposed). We will keep you posted.
Facilitator Roles
The following roles are volunteered for before each General Assembly. We are always looking for new facilitators. This is, after all, a leaderless movement of leaders -so let’s all try to facilitate GAs every so often. There’s a role for every personality type…
If you would like to facilitate, try to show up at least 30 minutes (preferably 60) before the GA is scheduled to begin. If you have never facilitated before, you should show up an hour early and ask around about attending facilitation training. First time facilitators must attend facilitation training in order to qualify for any roles other than Stacker and Scribe (minutes taker).
- Moderator –
- Shadowed the Moderation of a successful GA
- Taught a Facilitating training successfully
- Moderated a work group meeting
- Facilitator –
- This person (or persons) is the moderator’s “voice of conscience”. They are the only people in direct contact with the moderators in order to help them maintain their concentration and impartiality. The Facilitators should be positioned around the moderation space. They help the moderator synthesise and reformulate proposals in an objective and impartial way. They facilitate the flow of information between “Coordination” and the Moderator so that floor-time is fair and organised.
- Coordinator – [not usually used at GAs]
- Person or people in close coordination with the Facilitator and Stacker, whose task is to organise the requests to take the floor that are forwarded to them by this team before passing them on to the moderator(s). Should a heated debate be under way, their role includes both selecting speakers so that the same message is not repeated, as well as mediating between people with similar arguments with the aim of presenting a unified proposal for debate. The coordinators are a filter – they do not evaluative the content of each intervention.
- Stacker –
- A person or two people who look for anyone with raised hand (open, fingers up), and adds them to the Stack, which is a list of those who will be given an opportunity to make a proposal or announcement. If you have not spoken at a GA before, let the Stacker know and you will be given top priority when the GA Agenda turns to Stack time.
- Scribe –
- Takes minutes of the GA, noting primarily proposals and if they are accepted or not.
- Welcome Committee –
- Asks if there are newcomers and if so, passes out a Guide to GA document.
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Gestures/ Non-Verbal Feedback
Occupy Houston – General Assembly “Hand Signals” #1 from Ella Egg Films on Vimeo.
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Hands raised to either side with fingers up, wriggling fingers (jazz hands, some call it) -also the sign for ‘applause’ in sign language. This is used to show that you agree with the speaker, and is also used when a proposal is being presented, as as measurement of consensus |
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Hands held out in front in a SO-SO gesture means you’re not loving the proposal, but you don’t have a big problem with it either. |
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Hands held out in front (similar to above) but hanging downward, rotating back and forth. This means that you really disagree with the proposal or statement a speaker is making, but (in the case of a proposal) are are not so strongly opposed that you will Move To Amend (the X symbol) |
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Question– This to be used for brief questions directly related to the topic or proposal at hand.Try to limit to 30 second |
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Point of INFORMATION– This IS NOT to be used for questions and not for opinions, not matter how pressing yours might be! a Point of Information is only to be used when something being said is lacking a critical piece of factual/empirically based information, or if the basic facts being presented are not accurate.Try to limit to 30 seconds |
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Point of PROCESS– Holding fingers and thumbs to form a TRIANGLE. This means we are not sticking to adopted PROCEDURE. For example, if someone held their hands up in the POINT OF INFORMATION signal but starts rambling about their opinions, this signal can be used to express this opinion. The moderator *might* at that time direct the speaker to add themselves to the STACK to have a turn to speak their opinions. |
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WRAP IT UP / DO YOU HAVE A POINT?- Rolling the hands one over the other in front of oneself, as though to say “let’s keep things rolling” |
It is not only helpful, but necessary for a smoothly running GA for people to give clear feedback whenever possible so that others can more easily gauge the overall ‘vibe’ or energy of the group.
The General Assembly Agenda
Depending on how many facilitators are present, and depending on how much time they have to prepare for the GA, usually an Agenda is drawn up. This will include the general order of events (Intro to GA, announcements, work group ‘report backs’, stack time). Sometimes the agenda will also include prominent proposals that have been tabled. Or sometimes if you show up early enough to meet with the facilitation group, you might be able to get a proposal on the agenda if it is a main or pressing topic (otherwise everyone is free to add themselves to the stack to present their opinion, announcement, proposal, etc).
Please direct all comments to the Forums where they will get more attention. If you have a question or comment specifically about the content on this page, copy and paste this article’s URL and click ‘Add a New Topic’ in the forum. Thank you.
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Workgroups
All of the Occupy Houston workgroups are for volunteers by volunteers and are always seeking assistance. Workgroup meetings are open to anyone and everyone and you are encouraged to jump in! We are all volunteers with different skills and ideas working together as a community. If you see opportunity to create another working group do so as many others are sure to take an interest. Our occupation is not possible without volunteers; working groups are open to all. Please feel free to attend any meetings that appeal to you and your talents!
Direct Action Another branch of Outreach, their main focus tend to be on planning for protests and other events. Communicates with Info, Outreach, Legal, and Events. Meetings: Sunday at 5:00pm. Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact: Ask Outreach
Diversity and Women’s Caucus Focuses on diversity not only in public relations but collaborating with other ethnic, gender, and other groups in the area to strengthen relations and spread awareness. Women’s Caucus is a sub committee that creates a safe space for women to talk about gender issues. Communicates with Info, Events, Outreach, messaging. Meetings: Sunday at 6pm. Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Sarah S. – sarah.slamen@gmail.com
- Gessner S. – SotoGRJ11@yahoo.com
Events Obtaining information regarding events in Houston as well as the events in Occupy Houston. Please address events if you have an event or need to know upcoming events. They also relay communicate regularly to Info, Facilitation, Outreach, Media and Web. Meetings: Check the white board and the calendar Points of Contact:
- Vanessa C. – strubbe.love@gmail.com
Facilitation Acts as a means of improving the flow of a meeting by acting as a third-party observer and moderator. They provide this function daily at the General Assembly and as needed/requested for individual workgroups. Communicates with all work groups on a nearly daily basis, and provides facilitation training on a regular basics for anyone interested in joining the facilitation work group. Daily responsibilities include organizing and running the General Assembly. Meetings: Everyday at 6pm to prepare for the General Assembly. Contact Links: forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Scott G. – ScottRGregory@gmail.com
- Artem S. – Sevbo@yahoo.com
Finance Makes transparent and accountable protocols for the collecting and distributing of funds by Occupy Houston. Works on a rough budget for the long term Occupation. Communicates the Occupation’s financial situation to the General Assembly on a regular basis. Also pursues non-profit tax exempt status. Communicates with all work groups requiring funds. Meetings: Sunday at 4pm. Contact Links : forum, google group Points of Contact:
- Melissa M. – greenengineer3@gmail.com
- Remington A. – remingtonalessi@gmail.com
Information Collects all protocols and paperwork, preferably in electronic format and hard copy. Manages the information table and communicates with all groups. Meetings: with logistics, which are every day at 10am, and 10pm. Contact Links : forum, listserv Points of Contact: Refer to Logistics temporarily
Kitchen Focused on acquiring food, water, and ice. Additionally, the kitchen work group helps prepare food and train people in proper food safety procedures. Responsible for taking inventory and relaying their needs to Web and Logistics work group. Also communicates to the public on a regular basis during the General Assembly and on the Forum. Communicates with Info, Sustainability, and Transportation. Meetings: Whenever there are enough volunteers to make it happen. Check the calender or white boards. Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Vanessa C. – strubbe.love@gmail.com
- Mary B. – mebelcik@uh.edu
Legal Legal consultation for all events, projects and activities. Also provides training for Legal Observers. Communicates with Info and Events. Meetings: Check the white board and the forum Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Burke M. – cogitheum@mac.com
- Maria C. – castellanoslaw1@gmail.com
Local Demands Attempts to gather a general idea of what the Occupation encompasses, translate the ideas into proposals, and present them to the General Assembly for acceptance. Communicates with Info, O. W. S. Radical Study, Occupy the Streets, Research, Political Action, and Outreach. Meetings: Check the white boards and calendar Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact: Ask Outreach
Logistics Maintains The Occupation base, attempting to maximize efficiency while adhering to the needs of The Occupation. Umbrellas over Kitchen, Warehouse, Storage, Information, and Medical until work groups are established. Communicates with all work groups on a regular basis, not necessarily daily, but often. Meetings: Every day at 10am, and 10pm. Contact Links: forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Melissa M. – greenengineer3@gmail.com
- SWiM – drkhkz@gmail.com
Media Video, photography, editing, and sound. Working in conjunction with Web work group to produce the most up to date image of who Occupy Houston is and what we’re up to. They are responsible for posting Occupy Houston events and flyers online and maintaining the online calendar. Also prepares and disseminates press releases, they are a responsible contact point for the local press. Communicates with Info, Web, Outreach, and Events. Meetings: Check the forum and the white board Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Kevin L. – nerfyoda@gmail.com
Medical/Wellness Organizing materials, providing first aid, distributing hygienic advice as well as hygiene products. Attends marches and direct actions with first aid supplies. Studies new ways of increasing effectiveness within the Medical work group. Also maintains, studies, and leads discussions about the overall mental and physical, health and well-being of The Occupation. Relays inventory needs to Web. Communicates with Info, Peacekeeping, Events, and Logistics. Meetings: Check the calendar or white boards. Contact Links : forum, google group Points of Contact:
- Mary W. – dreamingkat@gmail.com
Messaging An offshoot of Outreach concerned specifically strategic messaging for Occupy Houston. Communicates with Outreach, Events, Public Education, Research, and Direct Action. Meetings: Check white board and calendar Points of Contacts: Ask Outreach
Outreach A liaison between the outside world and The Occupation, it is responsible to getting our message out to groups in the community and building relationships with them. Contains subgroups for Flyers, Research, Events, Messaging, Public Education, signs and Direct Action. Also has regular contact with Diversity. Meetings: Sunday at 5pm. Contact Links: forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Dustin P. – dbphipps@comcast.net
- Sarah S. – sarah.slamen@gmail.com
O.W.S. Radical Study Group (Occupy Wall Street Radical Study Group) Watches and is in contact with the Occupy Movement nation and world wide for inspiration and support. Meetings: Check the calendar and white boards Points of Contact:
- Chris R. – cs.rain@gmail.com
Peacekeeping/Security Studies and resolves conflict within The Occupation. Communicates with Info, Security, Wellness, Medical, and Events. Should do regular teach-ins on de-escalation, and make group report backs on a nearly daily basis. Meetings: usually held after the General Assembly Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Gessner S. – SotoGRJ11@yahoo.com
- Benjamin F.
Political Action An offshoot of Outreach, organizes events and campaigns in the name of Occupy Houston through specifically political mean, rather than civil disobedience. Communicates with, Info, Web, Media, and Events. Meetings: Tuesdays at 5pm Points of Contact: ask Outreach
Public Education An offshoot of Outreach, works directly on educating both people in the Occupation and the general public. Communicates with Outreach and all Outreach offshoots as well as Info, Media, and Web. Meeting: Check the white board and calendar Points of Contact: Ask Outreach
Research Investigates and gathers information for any work group in the Occupation. Communicates with all work groups. Meetings: Check the white boards and calendar Points of Contact: Ask Media or Logistics
Sustainability Strives to maintain a clean and green Occupation environment through recycling , renewable energy and many other ways. Communicates with Info, Logistics, Kitchen, Web, Media, and Warehouse/Storage. Meetings: Everyday at 5pm. Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Shamus – Shaun.Crump@gmex.com
Transportation Attempting to find cheap and accessible methods of transporting goods and people for The Occupation. Communicates with Info, Sustainability, Kitchen, Warehouse, Events and Logistics. Meetings: Check the white boards and the calendar Contact Links: forum, Points of Contact: Logistics
Warehouse/Storage Organizes, distributes, and stores all surplus Occupation goods. Responsible for checking batteries in flashlights, lanterns, tools, and keeping sleeping materials. Taking inventory and relaying their needs to Web and Logistics work groups. They also store and organize personal belongings. Things are left at their own risk, we do our best to safeguard them but we’re only human. Also communicates with Info, Transportation, Sustainability, and Peacekeeping. Meetings: Whenever that are enough volunteers to make it happen, check the calendar or the white boards. Contact Links : forum, listserv, google group Points of Contact:
- Scott B. – 33scottb@gmail.com
- SWiM – drkhkz@gmail.com
Website Web is responsible for content and maintenance of the occupyhouston.org website, systems administration of the infrastructure running the occupyhouston.org website, moderating the forums at occupyhouston.org, maintaining content and moderating user content on the Occupy Houston Facebook page, the @OccupyHouston twitter account, the Occupy Houston Youtube channel, the OccupyHouston Livestream station, and the Occupy Houston flickr account. Communicates with Info, Media, Kitchen, Warehouse, Medical, Sustainability, Legal, and Logistics as needed to put event information, flyers, requested items, news, and the like on Occupy Houston’s online presences. The web team is also unofficially in charge of the electronic equipment at the media area at Tranquility Park. Web is responsible for maintaining the occupation’s local Internet connection, keeping the media area organized, and for sheltering the Occupation’s sensitive electronics during times of inclement weather. Meetings: as needed Contact Links : forum, direct email, google group Points of Contact:
- Requests – webrequests@occupyhouston.org
- Cassie B. – greeenkaos@gmail.com
- Kevin L. – nerfyoda@gmail.com
Over the first few days of accepting contributions, we are so heartened by the generosity of folks who have brought us water, food, and several other items that made our first overnight in the park much more comfortable.
If you would like to make a monetary contribution, please donate via WePay or make a cash donation in person.
If you would like to contribute items, check out our Needed Items page.
Of course the optimal way to contribute is by adding your skills and effort in person or some other way of helping the various volunteer groups tackle the tasks as you and your group members decide. Take a look at this Newcomer’s Guide for more info.
Please direct all comments to the Forums where they will get more attention. If you have a question or comment specifically about the content on this page, copy and paste this article’s URL and click ‘Add a New Topic’ in the forum. Thank you
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig 