Occupy Exeter General Assembly 27.11.11

Occupy Exeter General Assembly: minutes
Sunday 27th November 2011
Facilitator: Gina
Minutes: Rebecca
Stack: Alex

1 Weds 30th GA

In the light of the Strike on Weds 30th
Proposal: to have the Wednesday’s GA at 3pm instead of the usual 6pm
Agreed by Consensus with no stand-asides

2 Communication with the Cathedral

A long a complex discussion on various aspects of the site and the relationship with the Cathedral, specifically the need for a toilet, the newly-erected pallet constructions, and the lines of communication with the Cathedral. Some differences of opinion: frustration with the Cathedral’s refusal to allow a Thunderbox composting loo; desire to keep relations cordial; wish to assert our rights, disappointment with the Cathedral’s strong reaction to our pallet house. It was also pointed out that the pallet construction was hastily erected this morning when existing gazebo and sideboard blew away in the wind.
Proposal: Malcolm (as member of Cathedral congregation) to open up a new line of communication with Cathedral, specifically on the issue of toilets
Agreed with 2 stand-asides
Proposal Melissa will ask the Phoenix arts centre if they are willing to site a portaloo for us
Agreed
Proposal Pallet house to be dismantled, put gazebo back up and generally secure camp against wind
Agreed with 3 stand-asides

3 Interruptions to GA

The previous discussion was interrupted at one stage by an aggressive passer-by. We re-affirmed our current practice of having one or two people take that person aside to talk quietly and respond, so that their points are heard and the GA is not disrupted. Jim Hunt & Kasia Turajczyk (freelance film-makers) asked to film the Occupation and spoke to Andy from the Media WG.

4 Activities

Ghee mentioned the importance of having lively and varied activities to draw people in and to keep up morale. Things coming up soon:
Tuesday 29th Nov 7.30: Capitalism: a Marxist perspective (talk from Keith & Jams)
Weds 30th all day: Public sector strike
Friday 2nd Dec night: Family sleepover at camp
Story-telling evening (Ghee, Sandhya, David and Moon) date tbc
Tuesday 13th Dec 6pm mtg of Exeter City Council – Occuaptionistas to attend

Next GA Monday at 6pm, Ghee to facilit