Notes for the General Assembly 10/16/2011 Before Meeting Discussion: The process working group was poorly

attended Possibly due to a scheduling conflict with the discussion group, who also discussed meeting process, but more geared towards new attendees. Appointment of Roles Facilitator: Ellie Time Keeper: Rickie Stacker: Carlos Note Taker: Patrick Greeter: Mitchell Consensus Review Lars 6:42 A brief review of method of process, system of gestures, and the stack. Media had requested earlier that human microphone be used, so that GA could be heard for a live streaming broadcast. (To my understanding, sound quality issues persisted throughout the night.) Formal Approval of the Agenda 6:46 -Reports of other occupations -Reports from working groups, reports about Occupy Gainesville. -Open Floor -Open Proposals -Announcements Reports of other Occupations 6:49 -175 protesters arrested in Chicago for not leaving their park

George- Occupy Williston had begun. - Occupy Wall Street encourages nearby occupations to group together, and while Occupy Gainesville is as a group adverse to the idea of usurping another occupation, a suggestion was made to contact the other group to lend assistance from a mostly organizational viewpoint. Andrew A photograph posted, purportedly from Occupy Wall Street, was not actually from or relating to the protest. It was important to note this discrepancy, because the photograph featured posters running contrary to the message of Occupy Wall Street, from Anarchist A, and another stating F--- The Troops. Again, the photograph was not from Occupy Wall Street. Reports from Occupy Gainesville 6:53 Ian- Thursday Night Overnight scene on the sidewalk was exemplary. Security Saturday Night Police, and notable the police sergeant, seemed understanding of the movement. - The Occupation is steadily encroaching on the park, and more and more pizza is being delivered. - A representative from CRA was, upon speaking to a member of Occupy Gainesville, very smug and shot down excitement by saying that no one in the city is speaking of Occupy Gainesville. A number of members rejected this idea, as the nature of Occupy Gainesville is that residents of the city are speaking for themselves. - An interjection made here by Pat has been moved to the Announcements. Pat a conversation with park managers reveals that they have never seen the park as clean as it has been during the occupation. Working Groups 7:00 Security: Spike Report from last night: 10:00pm First appearance from police 11:15pm Police told protesters to move off the mulch. They did not apparently make this request again at any other time during the night. 12:30am Appearance by horse mounted officers.

1:42am officers recorded the Occupation as a gift to Sergeant Baker; and protesters in turn recorded the officers. Its worth noting that this was all done in very good humor. 3:10am Everyone is happy. 3:26am It came to the security officers mind at this point, that a resolution to the bathroom problem would be much appreciated. 3:45am all is well. 5:11am Everyone is sleeping, and the lone member of security is beginning to feel lonely as the only person awake. Request from Security- Security asks for volunteers for Security officers to facilitate sleeping in shifts, and for the general comfort of those with security who remain awake at night. A brief discussion confirmed that tents are not currently allowed in the park. Discussion Group Mitchell 7:03 Proposal for GA to reach consensus on a number of issues. Blocked Lars- While Discussion Group could present at GA, it would be preferable to do so at another time. Discussion Group Would like to know the process for addressing issues that arise during discussion, as some are time sensitive, and must be acted on soon. Discussion Group did announce these issues: 1. The Discussion Group opposes the Local Biomass Plant. 2. The Discussion Group supports homeless advocacy in Gainesville 3. The Discussion Group opposes Corporate Personhood, and amending the 14th amendment to end corporate personhood. 4. The Discussion Group supports auditing of the FED 5. The Discussion Group supports revealing the Citizen United Ruling. Direct Action Group 7:13 Report: - 3 Carloads of people went to 34th and Archer Road to join the anti- Monsanto protest and advertise Occupy Gainesville. No other anti-Monsanto protest was

found however, and so Direct Action comprised at least the bulk of the protest. Proposal: - Proposed a late night march Friday through downtown bar area, including the Radical Cheer squad. This march would end officially in front of the establishment known as Midnight. o It was clarified that all marches include distributing flyers and handouts. This Proposal was Approved. - Proposed a regular sign holding time, from 2:00pm-4:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. o Amended to include joining a Veterans protest every other Tuesday from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Food and Comfort Francis 7:22 Report: - Requested any donations of kitchen time, so that the working group might have more time to prepare food. Food and Comfort promises to clean kitchens once finished. - Francis requested that someone more technologically inclined than himself relate information from teamlab to him. - More donations are needed to continue to supply food to the occupation, and it was noted that Francis should not have to match the donations out of his own pocket. - The largest expenditure comes from Bowls and Silverware, which will no longer be supplied. Protesters are asked to bring their own eating implements, though there was some mention of possibly supplying chopsticks. Announcement: - Mitchell Read letter to local businesses asking for aid. o Advised that Food not Bombs might have suggestions for the letter. o The letter will be posted on Teamlab for review. o The letter will be proposed tomorrow night. Arts and Culture Kensie 7:28 Report: - 12:30 culture corner is looking for requests and ideas. - Tomorrow will be street theater. - Saturdays will be marching band. Proposals: - Arts and Culture is planning a November 1st event to coincide with Deos De Los Muertos, which would be a memorial for the first amendment.

- Meeting Next Wednesday at 5:30 to discuss Halloween Ideas, scary corporations as possible theme. - Discussion of a possible movie night, as battery powered equipment is permitted in the park. o All proposals accepted Education and Empowerment Joanna Report: - Next meeting Thursday at 3:30 Announcements: -Anyone can engage the public with personal reasons for joining the occupation. - Offers for signs for each working group, and requests that we have a means of identifying each group as they work. Media Report: - Media needs a new table, as they will have to return the one they are using soon. - Would like to thank those who provided videos and pictures, and especially Mark who is providing a generator when needed. - Requested that internet meet with Media once a week. This will be decided between working groups. - Media needs to decide on a press statement, consisting of a three sentence statement of purpose. There is some concern that a longer statement would be abused by negative media outlets. Suggestions for the Press statement should be emailed to cmsholtz@yahoo.com. o It was clarified that an earlier message proposed was for the website, not for the press. o Input on the press release can also be offered on teamlab. Internet Karie and Lars Report: - The Tumblr. o The first set of pictures came from Direct Action, and was an update from people sleeping at the park. o The Tumblr is 872huwax@tumblr.com - Internet is desperately looking for coders to revamp the website, especially anyone familiar with php coding. - The Secretarial working group has taken over the google calendar. - A reminder that the website is occupygainesville.org Logistics Michelle

Report: - A reminder that Logistics is here to solve problems for the other working groups. - Logistics needs help to move equipment from the Park at 11:00pm and bring it back at about 9:00am. - Logistics is looking to coordinate foodstamp donations o Is also looking for help scavenging for food. - Fest is the weekend after next, attending would provide notice for the movement, but may provide security issues. - Logistics still needs help gathering materials. o The document for the list of materials needed is on the Occupy Gainesville Facebook, and was posted by Sonia. - Logistics is looking to form a cleaning crew. Volunteers will be appreciated. - The bathroom problem may be solved by tonight. Health and Fitness Report: - Schedule : Yoga event at 8:00am - 1.5 Mile run at 5:00pm on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday basis. Discussion on Revitalizing MIA Working Groups: Recruitment has been uncommunicative, but is still working diligently with only three members. They are looking into a map of Gainesville to hopefully expand the message to neighborhoods that have not been impacted by Occupy Gainesville. Outreach, intended goal of reaching out to other occupations, has been taken over for now by Sky and Michelle, pending more information on specific goals of the group. There will be a report on Occupy Tallahassee Monday. Donations has been taken up by Denise, with help from Logistics. At this time a press release was proposed by Media. The press statement and release needed additional clarity, and Media was asked to bring a version to an improvised GA meeting at noon Monday, to be finalized and proposed at Mondays GA. Open Floor 8:19 - Mitchell is working on an open letter to city council from concerned citizens, and would like others to contribute and sign it. - Lars reminded everyone that open floor is a time for those who have not spoken to voice their opinions.

- A clarification from Direct Action that the demonstration at 34th street was not proposed by direct action and approved by GA, and was a spontaneous action by volunteers. The protest was applauded later in open floor. - There will be a reading of Desiderata tomorrow. - Protesters were encouraged to speak to others they know to spread the voice of the movement. - A reminder to use less cursing in and around Occupy Gainesville, to improve the general appearance of the occupation and a reminder that there are a number of children at the occupation, and that cursing is not the behavior we want to teach them. - There was an encouragement to acquire and use the American Flag for use in the occupation, with the point made that many other groups use it to represent themselves and define their opinion of patriotic. An offer was made to buy one for the welcome table by an individual in attendance. - Carrie- expressed enjoyment at seeing the signs every time she drives by, and hopes the protest wont end. Proposals: - Lars: Proposed process working group meeting one hour before GA, and those who meet there will have precedence when selecting facilitators. o Approved - Pat: Proposes going to City hall both at 5:30pm Thursday, and Monday at 3:00pm Monday to make our presence known at the City Council meeting. This group would meet ten minutes before in front of the Bo Diddley plaze stage. o Attending the 5:30 meeting on Thursday had already been approved in an earlier GA. - Proposal to consider a mission statement for Occupy Gainesville o Tabled indefinitely, with no consensus. - Garrett: Proposal for group hugs before and after GA. o Opposed on grounds of personal privacy. o Amended to a group activity before GA to build synchronicity. o Opposed on grounds of not being necessary and not representing the moods and themes of an otherwise serious movement. Blocked, but always voluntary. See Garrett for hugs. General Announcements: - Garrett: 8:00am to 5:00pm Wednesday Yoga and hoola hoops. - Francis still needs olive oil or vegetable oil o Was asked to avoid anything involving Monsanto. - The General Assembly was Notified that Occupy New York was watching the event, and sends its support and Love! - Tuesday at 11:30am: What to do when the dollar crashes, possibly on the corner.