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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Please note: If you have information about the Occupation which is not getting input to the main site in a timely fashion, please write a comment or email me (ThinkwingRadio@msn.com) and I’ll consider posting it on this blog. FYI, I do not necessarily support every action reported here to the same degree or at all, but I report. – Mike
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OccupyHouston is (at least temporarily) without a permanent physical presence. I have been informed by @OccupyHouston (#OHTX) that, “The library steps are our [temporary] unofficial meeting area.” [See Tweet below jump.]
***This post will be further updated as the week progresses ~ Mike***
Upcoming Events, (More info below the jump):
News & Announcements (More info below the jump):
- Sunday Strategy Session March 4 Agenda
- Minutes/Notes of February 19, 2012 General Assembly
- Basic Work Group Guidelines for Occupy Houston
- General Assembly Minutes 2/15/12
- General Assembly Minutes 2/8/12
-
Tweets: News, Opinion, Comments: Below the jump
- Basic Work Group Guidelines for Occupy Houston
- General Assembly Minutes 2/15/12
- General Assembly Minutes 2/8/12
- OCCUPY MOVEMENT: Occupy Together – Actions and Directory (Domestic and Worldwide) <– Click here
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Sunday Strategy Session March 4 Agenda
On we go, continuing what we started on 2/19. Here’s the plan for Sunday:
1:00 meeting opens (explanation of process, introduce facilitation, etc.) 1:15 approve agenda and get to work 2:15 BREAK 2:25 Report on Work Groups 2:35 resume 3:35 BREAK 3:45 resume 4:45 BREAK 4:55 resume 5:50 evaluation, plan next strategy meeting (if any) 6:00 ADJOURN
Our primary focus of this meeting is to finish creating the Work Group Coordinators. What we have decided (by consensus!) so far:
The role of the workgroup coordinators is to facilitate communication between workgroups and to rotate in service as responsible individuals who can be held accountable to the General Assembly, to bring workgroup proposals to the GA agenda (although this does not exclude individuals from independently making proposals at the GA or exclude individuals who would like to make proposals from seeking support from the coordinators), to ensure that information is disseminated properly, to help to develop proposal specificity where it is lacking, and to link proposals which have been passed to appropriate individuals (including seeking out volunteers and acting as mentors as needed) and workgroups for implementation. The ultimate goal of this process is to enable concrete action steps on the ground, to facilitate organization behind implementation while allowing space for spontaneity and exceptions.
Other topics to be addressed include rotation of service, roles, selection process, number of members, exact composition of the group.
If time permits, we will then address the following topics:
- The GA. How often? Where? Could it be an even better version of itself and if so, how?
- Defining Occupy Houston and spelling out our structure: is there work left to do?
- Goals: putting our values into action. Will we participate in the upcoming solidarity actions of Occupy 2.0, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and Occupy NOW, and if so, what will we do? How might we envision a Reboot of Occupy Houston?
~AP/kr
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#F28 Mass Action: Stop the Suppression of the Occupy Movement
Please feel free to download, copy and share… see you there!
Tuesday, February 28 Hermann Square Park
No Rubber Bullets, No Beatings, No Tear Gas, No Mass Arrests, Don’t Suppress OWS!
On Tuesday, February 28th, Occupy Houston will be standing in National Solidarity to give voice to our concerns over the suppression and to show that no matter what, WE WILL STAND TOGETHER. Even though the Occupy Movement has faced police brutality and harassment, mass evictions, excessive criminal charges, infiltration, and even been labeled as domestic terrorists, we are not going away. We will strengthen our bonds within our communities and with each other. We will push forward in our struggle against the corporate corruption of our democracy. On Feb 28, we stand together in solidarity and prove You Cannot Evict An Idea Whose Time Has Come.
Schedule of Events
2:00 Houston City Council Public Comment– Sign up, before 1:30 pm on Tuesday, to get on stack and voice your objection to the suppression of the Occupy Movement. The number is: 832-393-1100.
We object to…
- The City’s alterations of the Hermann Square Park scheduled hours targeting & limiting Occupiers’ rights to free speech & assembly
- Police Harassment of Occupiers
- The City’s excessive charges that are deliberate attempts to intimidate into silence the peaceful protestors of Occupy
- The lack of cooperation from the City with #OH’s right to use public space to peaceably assemble, day or night
- Ask the city to not be involved in this National effort to suppress the Occupy Movement
4:00-5:30 Gather
Gather at Hermann Square Park in front of City Hall.
Don’t forget your signs.
6:00 Rally
Get on stack and use this time to show what Occupy means to you.
Focus Topics;
What lit the spark for you to become involved with Occupy?
- I Occupy because…
- I support Occupy because…
- I am the 99% because….
“Movements grow, and can only grow, by answering repression with even greater and more powerful mobilization.”
For more information visit; dontsuppressows.org
F28…. Stand With Occupy.
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Occupy-related Tweets & Info
Top Group is my copies. 2nd Group is #OHTX Official Timeline:
Occupy Houston@OccupyHouston: #FoodNotBombs shares at 521 Lamar St., 77002 (Public Library) on MWF at 8pm, Sun. at 7pm. Bring vegan food to share or just yourself! #OHTX
Occupy Houston@OccupyHouston: https://twitter.com/OccupyHouston/houston-city-officials Here is a list of #Houston City Officials on twitter. The few followers means they’ll hear you. #FoodNotBombs #OHTX
1h
Occupy Houston@OccupyHouston: Call the #HoustonCityCouncil members & tell them to strop criminalizing homelessness & humanitarian aid. #FoodNotBombs http://blog.foodnotbombs.net/houston-food-not-bombs-under-immediate-threat-please-fwd/
Bernie Sanders@SenatorSanders: Wall Street greed fueling high gas prices – By Sen. Bernie Sanders: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/28/opinion/sanders-gas-speculation/index.html #Vermont #p2 #ows #GasPrices
Texas@USDayofRageTX: Stopping the suppression of the occupy movement @OccupyHouston https://www.facebook.com/events/234759483284266/ #f28 Retweeted by Occupy Houston
Texas@USDayofRageTX: #f29 #StopMonsanto @OccupyAustin & @OccupyHouston #ows #oarx #ohtx #usdor #usdortx Retweeted by Occupy Houston
Fort Bend Dem Party@FtBendDems: FYI @OccupyHouston! RT @TexasMonthly: A good number of the “One Percent” call Houston and Dallas home http://txmnth.ly/AwX9qA #richtexans Retweeted by Occupy Houston
Occupy Houston@OccupyHouston: Busy week ahead for us. #F28, #F29, #M1. #JoinUs! https://www.facebook.com/events/234759483284266/ #OHTX #StopMonsanto #OATX http://www.shutdownthecorporations.org/?page_id=14 @USDayofRageTX
Texas@USDayofRageTX: #F29 http://www.shutdownthecorporations.org/?page_id=14 @OccupyCongress @occupyscotus @occupyhouston @occupyaustin#OWS Retweeted by Occupy Houston
4h
Texas@USDayofRageTX: #f29 #StopMonsanto @OccupyAustin & @OccupyHouston Retweeted by Occupy Houston
Twitter Updates (from OccupyHouston.org ‘Official’ Timeline)
- Busy week ahead for us. #F28, #F29, #M1. #JoinUs! https://t.co/dTn2f25P #OHTX #StopMonsanto #OATX http://t.co/Pui1eFhh @USDayofRageTX 1 day ago
- GA tonight at 7pm infront of the Houston Public Library. #SeeYouThere! #OHTX #StillHere 4 days ago
- The facebook is under web team control again. #OHTX 6 days ago
- Just made a back up page, go like it. https://t.co/NSGZIyxj #OHTX When we learn more about the other page, we will let you know. 6 days ago
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http://myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/0I1H2ILDSWY3YYCOmore details» copy to my calendar
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Minutes/Notes of February 19, 2012 General Assembly
Agenda accepted.
1:15-1:30 Welcome and Values
Possible redundancy. This what we’re going to be held accountable. Guiding principles. Clear goals for public victories. Clarity of mission. Power in focus.
Where are we going to go w/these values? Governance.
Making a smaller list that encompases.
Define broad categories.
Consistent Progressive actions & values = progress.
BROAD CATAGORIES
(Human Needs: Promote the general welfare)
I. Social & economic justice, human rights/needs
- Inclusion
- Nonviolence
- Fairness
- Love
- Promote general welfare
- Equality
- Openness
- Human needs
- II. Nonviolence
- Cooperation
- III Effective Communication
- (Transparency Openness)
IV Love
- Respect
V. Patience
VI. Accountability
Accepted Value Statement
We create and maintain global, social, economic and environmental justice by promoting fairness, human rights including diversity, humanity, the general welfare, love, equality, openness to ideas, human needs, human longevity, inclusiveness, education, the ending of war, peace, and protection of the living ecosystem, always striving for nonviolence in our thoughts and words and practicing nonviolence in our actions.
We do this with patience, balance and love, cooperation, communication, respect, equality and inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, peace and emphasis on diversity.
We do this through an accountable and transparent participatory democracy, consistent, progressive and effective actions and our values.
Post First Break:
Proposal: A Coordinating Committee/Council.
What is the process?
What will be the duties of members?
How will members be selected?
Is this an enforcement council?
What is the rotation/term?
Dealing with exceptions? Emergencies?
Accountability?
Does each member have to be tied to a work group?
How reversible are the decisions? Authority?
How do we define work groups?
(Concern about the two block process.)
What are the duties?
Implementation of different work groups.
To facilitate communication between the different work groups.
How is it selected?
Accountability?
Accountable to GA.
All Work Groups
Basic Guidelines for Active Occupy Houston Work Groups
1. To be considered active, all current Work Groups should:
A. Provide a public (mission statement) of goals, which does not conflict wth the #OH principles of solidarity.
B. Publish contact info on the #OH website *working email required
C. Be based in Houston and have, at least one open group meeting at or near Tranquility Park, every other week. This meeting is to be listed on the#OH website. Changes to meeting times must be given at least 48 hours public notice, when possible.
D. Publish minutes of, at least 1 meeting every other week on the #OH website. This meeting must demonstrate at least 2 in attendance. Work group will not be considered defunt until attendance has been less than 2 members for 4 weeks.
2. All new work groups must be announced of formation in the GA.
Note: If, at any point, the GA consensus to alter or change guidelines, all work groups will be given 30 days before implementation.
Implementation: These guidelines will take effect in 30 days after passing consensus in the GA.
Accepted 1/2/12
Implement the current guidelines and communicate between the work groups.
Structure & strategy work group to coordinate
Information disseminated properly.
Implement the proposal process.
INTIAL PROPOSAL:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
GA meets twice a month and votes on Coordinating Council proposals. Individuals can address GA at each meeting about their concerns, ideas or suggest a general proposal for consideration, But GA only votes on proposals that have been made directly by the representatives of the Coordinating council.
COORDINATING COUNCIL
Representatives will meet frequently and discuss their workgroup concerns and ideas. The Coordinating Council drafts proposals and will post them on the website at least one week before presenting them to GA
WORK GROUPS
Each workgroup selects representatives for the Coordinating Committee
- THE 99%
- Outreach Workgroup
- Media Workgroup
- Finance Workgroup
- Other Workgroups.
WORKGROUP COORDINATORS
- Accountability v. flexibility.
- Revisit participation with Coordinating Council
- Anyone in the GA can propose
- Council will operate by conssensus horizontal/rotation of leadership.
- Room for spontaneity and exceptions.
- Mentorship not enforcement.
- Accountability within the structure at all levels.
- GA needs to be ultimate authority.
- Concern- spread our people too thin.
- Find agreeable titles
- Emphasis on workgroup function not structure.
- Balance & accountability.
- Action over process
Specific Duties
- WG facilitates communication between Work Groups
- Information is disseminated properly.
- One of the tasks of the WGC is to bring proposals from WG’s & individuals to the GA, and from GA to workgroups (flow goes both ways). This does not suspend the right of individuals to make proposals at GA.
- Recruit volunteers for tasks.
Will have Strategy Meeting March 4th 1:00 – 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday GA will be heavily action oriented. Library Plaza 7:00 P.M.
Facilitation Concerns
- Clarity on how/when to speak during discussion
- Clarity of process for equal participation
- Separate Stack Coordinator
- Power of the model
- Addres of redundancy.
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Basic Work Group Guidelines for Occupy Houston
These guidelines were adopted by the Occupy Houston General Assembly on January 3, 2012.
1. To be considered active, all current Work Groups should:
A. Provide a public statement (mission statement) of goals, which does not conflict with the #OH principles of solidarity.
B. Publish contact info onto the #OH website. *working email required
C. Be based in Houston and have, at least, one open group meeting, at or near Tranquility Park, every other week. This meeting is to be listed on the #OH website. Changes to meeting time must be given at least 48 hours public notice, when possible.
D. Publish minutes of, at least, 1 meeting every other week on the #OH website. This meeting must demonstrate at least 2 in attendance. Work group will not be considered defunct until attendance has been less than 2 members for 4 weeks.
2. All new work groups must be announced of formation in the General Assembly.
Note: If, at any point, the GA consensus to alter or change the guidelines, all working groups will be given 30 days before implementation.
Implementation: These guidelines will take effect in 30 days, after passing consensus in the General Assembly.
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Basic Work Group Guidelines for Occupy Houston
These guidelines were adopted by the Occupy Houston General Assembly on January 3, 2012.
1. To be considered active, all current Work Groups should:
A. Provide a public statement (mission statement) of goals, which does not conflict with the #OH principles of solidarity.
B. Publish contact info onto the #OH website. *working email required
C. Be based in Houston and have, at least, one open group meeting, at or near Tranquility Park, every other week. This meeting is to be listed on the #OH website. Changes to meeting time must be given at least 48 hours public notice, when possible.
D. Publish minutes of, at least, 1 meeting every other week on the #OH website. This meeting must demonstrate at least 2 in attendance. Work group will not be considered defunct until attendance has been less than 2 members for 4 weeks.
2. All new work groups must be announced of formation in the General Assembly.
Note: If, at any point, the GA consensus to alter or change the guidelines, all working groups will be given 30 days before implementation.
Implementation: These guidelines will take effect in 30 days, after passing consensus in the General Assembly.
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General Assembly Minutes 2/15/12
Work Group Report Back
Direct Action- Amy- Break-up with the Banks action went great. The cops and security wouldn’t allow the mic checks, they were on to us as soon as we walked in. But we made a lot of noise, passed out a lot of info and got into some great discussions.
Announcements
Shamus- I will be establishing the Houston Chapter of Iraqi Veterans Against the War.
Jenny- Occupy Houston will be joining up with Occupy Galveston for their Mardi Gras parade this Saturday the 18th. Meet @ Seawall and 25th at 6pm.
Shere- Occupy Houston was notified by Channel 2 that they wanted to do an interview with 3 occupiers tomorrow. It will air on Sunday the 19th.
Lief- Dodgeball report back, it went great, no one was arrested. Check Youtube for the video called Corporate Tax Dodgers Dodgeball at El Paso Corp. (I’m so sorry I didn’t get more details on this. I couldn’t hear due to the stupid library buzzer. -Jen)
Proposals
Jenny- Any WePay, PayPal or other donation accepting account that is created with the Occupy Houston name must first be approved through the Finance WG then Finance will then bring it up for approval in GA. -passed-
Amy- Propose that the Strategy Meeting on Sunday will take place as the Sunday GA. -passed-
Amy- Allow the Friday Planning Meeting to set the agenda for Sunday’s Strategy Meeting. -passed-
Will- Any banning of people from FB needs to go through the FB WG then be brought to GA for approval. -did not pass 9/4-
Lief- Propose to hold an event for Feb 29th for the Occupy the Corporations call to action. -passed-
Jenny- Propose to hold an event for Feb 28th for the call to action against the Mass Suppression of the Occupy Movement. -passed-
Opinion
Ray- stated opinions and ideas from a veterans standpoint.
Since there were no other opinions, there was a question about having an open discussion about the eviction and what is next. Consensus to wait and discuss these issues on Sunday.
Consensus to Adjourn
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General Assembly Minutes 2/8/12
Announcements
Jenny- Occupy Galveston has asked Occupy Houston to come out and march with them in the Mardi Gras parade Feb 11 and Feb 18. Stay tuned for details.
Jamin- Feb 29 is Occupy the Corporations. You can get on the planning calls through InterOccupy.
Ted- The last Wednesday of the month, on the 29th, there will be a teach-in on Roberts Rules of Order @ 2990 Richmond. It is a pay what you can teach-in.
Erika- This Saturday and Sunday there will be a teach-in by Lisa Fithian and Juniper. Check facebook for details.
Jenny- There are 2 new work groups forming. Structure & Strategy WG and Foreclosure Action WG. You can contact the Foreclosure Action Work Group on facebook. Just look up Occupy Houston Foreclosure Action. Stay tuned for more details on the S&S WG.
Proposal
Ted- Discussion about having another Strategy Meeting in March. Propose to meet up @ 2990 Richmond to have a pre-planning meeting on Feb 19, from 2-4pm. Be there on time b/c the doors will lock. -passed-
Jenny- Propose to move GA’s to Sunday and Wednesday, 7pm. -passed-
Jamin- Propose to have an event March 1st in solidarity with the National Day of Action regarding Occupy Education. The plan is to stage many school walk-outs. Planning meeting at Bohemeo’s Saturday at 6:30. -passed-
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