Occupy Exeter General Assembly – 1/12/11

1/12/11 (will be put into a compliation document at the end of the month)

Facilitator: Tom
Stack: Bruce
Time: Adam
Minutes: Carlus

Anti-social behaviour – while it is great that we’re giving help to people who need it, safer spaces policy needs to be observed by all members of the camp (as the policy was agreed by consensus at a GA). Mic checks always need to be responded to. If there is an issue with a member of the camp feeling threatened or a member breaching the safer spaces policy, those present need to resolve that issue by making a decision based on consensus. Decisions can be reviewed at next full GA. Consensus
Individual concerned with an incident on the camp to be evicted that night, with his tent taken down. Consensus with 1 stand-aside
Wider issue of how decisions are made – they need to be done by consensus, made clear to people at the camp and online, and open to being challenged and reviewed in an on-going democratic process. Topic deferred to next GA
Idea for experts to come in and give workshops to help in the running of the camp, e.g. nurse running a first aid workshop
OE reputation – some people will stick to their preconceptions of the camp no matter how much we try engage with them. That said, we should keep chatting to passers-by, maintain a dry camp, have more fun stuff like musicians, poets, more DA; keep the wheels in motion and give as positive and inclusive image as we can. Info. Point to be rebuilt.
Someone raised a point that the media team need to be outputting more (e.g. more videos on our Youtube channel). Response that the media team *are* working hard. Idea to follow up on getting a slot on Phonic FM, get more volunteers for the media team, and distribute the login details to our WordPress to get more people posting. We have a separate one-off 10-12 in the evening slot on the radio that night.
Proposal to have some people work on ways to ensure the wellbeing of people in the camp, workshop on counselling on Sunday, work on people skills to talk to passers-by. Consensus.
Non-violent DA training – an indoor venue would be ideal, offer on our Facebook to get one for £10
Dave Clinch – musician offered to do a free gig for us. Proposal to invite him down to Cathedral Green this weekend. Consensus
Suggestion to make teas and coffees only available to people on tranquillity watch – defer to shelter working group.