Occupy Delaware
Wednesday GA
Meeting Notes
2012-08-01
Spencer Plaza
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Meeting start: 1917 hr
10-MINUTE DISCUSSION
1) Ways to raise money for ODE.
We have a PayPal account, but if we could get the message out on radio and tv, communicate the message and the need for money. We have a donation link on the Web site.
I have concerns about the same people doing the work, taking on more stuff. This is a great topic, we need to raise money, but we need to figure out a way to get more people. The people who are here have been doing this work for 10 months are burned out, and we need fresh meat.
We could charge dues and fees for membership.
That’s not a bad way if you’re that type of organization, but it goes against the philosophy of Occupy. Probably half the people in the group wouldn’t have the money to pay dues, anyway.
The merch seems to be popular, people like the idea of sporting the logo. Bumper stickers. Everybody snatches up the t-shirts.
Our 1.0 Occupy FB page had 3000-plus likes, if we asked each to donate one dollar each month, we’d have some good money. Paypal charges 20 cents per transaction with a percentage on top. We could call it the Dollar Drive.
Do we have a “shop” link? We could set up with e.g., CafePress. We could do that. What we need are the ideas to make the money. I’d be glad to work designs up. Offer people something to buy.
We should stick to our ideals and sell merchandise made sustainably and in the USA. Not made by a Bank of America financed sweatshop.
If we’re going to start trying to collect money people would want to know what we’re doing with it. They might ask what we’ll do with it. We’ve bought signs, built the community garden, supported the Spencer Plaza site. We’d be more successful raising money if we had projects for it.
Maybe think about getting a nonprofit charter.
We should do something on the street face-to-face communicating with people.
REPORT-BACKS
Actions
Wilmington Rally today, very nice weather. We had more positive responses this time. One “get-a-job” and no fingers!
Last Saturday in DC, there were about 1500 people at the anti-frack rally. There were a couple people there with an Occupy banner.
We had an action Sunday night, chalking around the city, a lot of fun, hit just about every bank around the city. The police followed us around, kids joined in on the fun. By the next morning just about all had been washed off. The following night, cops came to the site and an officer said that people were getting in trouble for defacing private property…
The next chalk action should be at noon, or right at 4:30. Chalking goes viral.
Sunday Party
The pinatas are in good shape. Not much candy, no brownies.
Contacted Pacem in Terris, they’re coming and will say a few words. Rev. Livingston has not yet returned my call. Press release has gone out and there are flyers on the Web site. We sent out email to our mailing list.
Media
There is a new Facebook page, at OccuDE. The old page is still hijacked, and we don’t have access to get rid of it. We’d still like to get it back.
Talking with Loretta Walsh, thanked her for the porta-potties. “It has been my pleasure. As an old antiwar protester I was glad to do the little I could. I wish everyone nothing but the best. I hope many of you stay in touch and keep me up with your various goings on. May peace and good health find each of you all the days of your life.”
The porta-potties haven’t been cleaned, they need to be tended to. They won’t be here after Monday the 6th.
Today is Loretta’s birthday, she’s having a party/fundraiser at the Logan House tonight. Everyone’s invited!
Where we meet after tonight? I like Spencer Plaza. Everyone take chairs, keep them in your trunks.
PRT
A PRT was called last week to deal with online bullying. Resulting in a banning from the Facebook and Web site comments sites. The subject of the PRT was invited to come to GA and discuss it.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
It’s definite, we are going to have the veggie/fruit giveaway on Aug. 17 in front of the library at 10th and King. Donations, please contact Norris or Michele. We could get overdue/reject stuff from grocery stores.
Pacem in Terris, Green Fair, Silverside Church, exhibitors. September 15. Theme is local, sustainable food.
This Saturday is the CBTU monthly meeting, 10-12N, 6th and Madison. ODE will be there, as always. They’ve been invited to the Sunday party.
The bus for WeAreWoman March in DC for Aug. 18 is not filled, round-trip for only $20! Pass the ERA! Get on the bus! It’ll pick people up by the Wilmington train station.
Infrastructure, Actions, Sunday Party, Media committee meetings after the GA.
The  West Side, 6 pm Greek Orth Church, 10th and Broom, this Sunday, mayoral and community meeting, encouraging Occupy attendance.
There’s a tribute to the late Frieda Berryhill, front-line anti-nuke activist, responsible for keeping nukes out of Delaware. Wed. 8th, 7 pm, at Westminster Presbyterian, there will be a speaker from Fukushima, petitioning the government of Japan to allow older workers to address hazardous situations at Fukushima to spare younger people exposure to the radiation.
Wilmington in Transition, meeting on Aug. 14, at PiT office (1306 N. Rodney St, 3rd flr). 7 pm.
Meeting adjourned: 2018 hr
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