Minutes of the General Assembly, 11 October 2011 Pre-meeting (special thanks to Sonya for providing her notes) A document

detailing the consensus process will be composed and posted on the website. Printouts will be made available to on-site occupiers. The document will contain rules, including the rules of language and semantics in group discussion. The on-site agenda board will be used to maintain organization and flow. When seeking group consensus, the facilitator should restate the proposal before taking a poll. Guidelines for conflict management: BE KIND. Consider your objectionis it small enough to be set aside for the time being? Does your point of discussion contribute significantly to the larger movement? Dont let personal dynamics get in the way of the larger goals and ideals. Use TeamLab as a venue for presenting ideas and engaging discussion. During polls, please raise only one hand (not both). Meeting Present: Lars, Michelle, Rusty, Laura, Scott, Jeremiah, Cassie, Jim, Joseph, Francis, Fred, Karin, Annette, Mary, Ricky, Megan, Eddie, Erica Amelia, Tiffany, Dan, Anne, Elizabeth, Kris, Maya, Kinsey, Emily, Philippe, Mitch, Mike, Jennifer, Dustin, Aaron, Zot, Alli, Brian, Max, Mitchel, Will, Rachel, Teresa, Karrie, Katie, Lisa, Joe, Alex, Henry, Ellie, Charles, Spike, Norman, Mark, Aaron, Ed, Coral, Clif, Walton (I know I missed a few names; if you dont see yours, or if yours is misspelled, please let me know and Ill make the necessary corrections.) Review of consensus (and other dynamics) The consensus process ensures that everyones voice is heard in a democratic manner. Roles are assigned, according to consensus, at each meeting of the General Assembly. Facilitator keeps the meeting moving smoothly and according to the agenda

Stack keeper keeps a list of people who wish to speak If youd like to speak, raise your hand and make eye contact with the stack keeper Please wait until it is your turn before speaking Time keeper helps the facilitator move through the agenda in a timely manner Vibe checker maintains a positive atmosphere for the discussion Note taker records the minutes of each meeting Hand gestures serve as non-intrusive means of expressing personal opinion or feeling while another member of the working group is speaking. Jazz hands agreement or support Index fingers back and forth (both hands, from self to speaker) indicates that you have a direct response to something that has just been said (direct toward stack keeper) Index finger to opposite palm point of process; indicates that the discussion is off track (direct toward facilitator) Index finger(s) pointing upward indicates that the speaker cannot be heard Polls are used to determine consensus. The facilitator will announce the proposal and ask for a poll. To support the proposal, raise one hand in the air. Following the poll, any comments or opposition will be heard. The facilitator will ask if anyone would like to block the motion. If blocked, the issue will remain under discussion until the working group decides to move on. Fairness and respect are paramount. If you feel upset, please take a few moments to consider the situation and offer others the chance to provide perspective. During working group reports, please remember: -to let the report conclude before initiating discussion; -that reports are tentative proposals, despite language and semantics. Consensus is about reaching understanding amongst large groups due to frustration with the current political process. It provides the opportunity to reach decisions that are agreeable to the entire community. If consensus on a specific topic proves elusive, the discussion may be:

-continued; -deferred for the GA to return to at a later time: -during the same meeting; -or at a subsequent meeting; -transferred to a working group. Consensus was agreed upon as the working method for this meeting of the General Assembly. Roles Facilitator Lars Time keeper Eddie Stack keeper Charles Vibe watcher Clif Note taker Walton Amendment to agenda The motion was made to hear Mayas report regarding city ordnance and overnight occupation. The proposal was accepted on the grounds that the new information may impact the actions of the working groups. Permitting for overnight occupation The city offered us a permit to occupy overnight, but under special conditions: -we agree to stay only one night; -the city must be notified in advance (of issuing the permit) if we plan to stay more than one night; -if we intend to stay more than one night, they will not issue us the permit. The plaza at city hall falls under the jurisdiction of parks and recreation, so these restrictions apply to occupation there as well. We have a direct line to Officer Helmerson (who will be the issuing officer), so well be able to obtain the permit with only a few hours notice.

10 minutes was agreed on for a discussion period, and extended by another 5. No consensus was reached, and the GA agreed to defer discussion to the end of the meeting and allow the working groups to present their reports and proposals. Working groups Library No formal meeting yet. Current focus: making a flyer with Occupy Gainesvilles contact information to be distributed on 12 October. Clif offered to print the flyers. Food & Comfort Committee has been established. Mostly part-timers, more members are welcomed and encouraged. Items attained so far: -food -reusable water bottles with filters -first aid pack (to be carried by someone with a cell phone) Food and water stations will be set up for the occupation. Breakfast will be prepared on Tues/Thurs mornings. Intention is to grow from there. Cloth napkins will be distributed with food, along with a permanent marker. People can write their stories, thoughts, feelings, etc. on the napkins. The napkins will be washed and reused so that others can read these testimonies, and contribute their own. This stories will also be posted online. NEEDED: -cloth napkins -permanent markers -medical supplies -food donations Cooks are still needed. Local farmers will be donating food. The local co-op is also nearby (so we can support the local farmers in return). Discussion Delivered tentative statement to be distributed on 12 October. GA offered suggestions; discussion group reconvened outside of GA and workshopped the statement. The revised version was accepted by the GA later in the meeting. Anyone with an issue theyd like to see addressed is encouraged to post to the discussion groups forum. They will incorporate these suggestions into future statements and present

them to the GA for approval. (Emendation:Please see the discussion group's meeting minutes for the full statement. The GA approved the first paragraph as an official public statement.) Recruitment Rainbow Produce has agreed to donate fruits. Transportation for this donation has been arranged, but it is unclear whether this is a one-time donation or if it will be ongoing. Harrys is providing water. Kickin Devil Caf will provide a meal of rice and beans one day between 19 and 21 October. NEEDED: donation cups Yoga marathon was suggested as a fundraiser. Direct Action Protest at corporate banks will occur 12 Oct. at 11:00 AM. A direct action Facebook group has been created to facilitate recruitment to major actions. Group will meet 12 Oct. after the bank action. The Zumba flashdance was postponed via Facebook, to be organized at a later date. Official bank movement is scheduled (by Occupy) for Saturday. Freeform, organic, non-corporate-affiliated artistic expressions may occur spontaneously and are encouraged. Internet The group will publish photos to the website and public Facebook group. If anyone has any objection to having their photo made public, please contact the internet team and they will accommodate you. Requests to join TeamLab should be directed through the official website. Public forums for the website are under construction. Livestream is available via Facebook and the official site. If you have a smart phone and would like to provide a live video feed, please contact the internet group and theyll help you get set up. Facebook.com/occupygainesville is the official page (picked up by search engines). The group discussion page is publicanyone can post, whether theyre affiliated or not. The group is still waiting for a disclaimer. Post material (video, photos, officially sanctioned statements, etc.) on the internet group forum on TeamLab.

Text-blasting (via cell phone) is in the works. Arts & Culture Sign making will continue at Emilys (316 NW 7th terr.) after the GA. Supplies are available, participants are encouraged to bring their own brush. Meeting on 12 Oct. at Bo Diddley Plaza. The GA agreed that A&C committee should have free reign in artistic expression. It may not endorse a corporation, or be overtly inflammatory toward any group. A&C coordinating a silent occupation. No speech, only signs with words or images. Radical cheerleading is also in the works. Art supplies will be available on the plaza during the occupation. An open silkscreen is available to print Occupy Gainesville t-shirts. Security Group needs volunteers. See Spike. Logistics A pickup truck has been secured for transporting supplies, etc. Overnight bathrooms are still in the works. Hay bails were proposed as a possible substitute bathroom. Other suggestions are welcomed. The Lunch Box has agreed to let us use their electricity for a little while in the evening. An extension chord will be run to the plaza as a charging station for electronics. Bathrooms will be open until 11:00 PM provided a sanitation subteam keeps things neat and tidy. A converted school bus with built-in bathroom was offered, but parking would need to be worked out (keeping spots, feeding meters). Media Be vigilant about the corporate media; if you see/hear an inaccurate representation or portrayal of the movement (on the radio, in the paper, on the internet, etc.), write/call in and set the record straight. Media team will be conducting a metamedia campaign: -videotaping the mainstream media coverage; -policing media representations of the occupation. Secretarial

Still need people to cover demonstrations, artistic displays, etc. Individual working groups are responsible for recording the minutes of their meetings. Recruitment Has not officially met yet. Flyers are appearing on campus. UF students get free printing at the Reitz union; theyre encouraged to print out flyers, leaflets, etc. to supply to the group. We still need to paint the 34th St. Wall. The waste collection center has free recycled paint we can use. Approximately 80 people affiliated with MoveOn.org will march on city hall and join us at Bo Diddley Plaza. Union support Communications Workers of America endorses OWS and encourages branches to do the same for local movements. Occupy Gainesville will be approach the local CWA on Thursday evening for official support. People with union affiliations have been attending the GA. Next Monday, North Florida Labor Council will be approached. Workshop Soliciting ideassee Michelle Group page should be available on Facebook by 12 Oct. 3-line testimonies deferred to tomorrows assembly Proposals The discussion group presented their revised draft of our opening statement. Discussion regarding the permit was resumed. No consensus was reached, and discussion was again deferred to an ad hoc GA to be held at 12:30 on 12 October. The next General Assembly was scheduled for 7:00 PM on 12 October (after the farmers market). Announcements Participants are reminded to maintain community sympathy, particularly in regard to the farmers market on 12 October and the public concert on 14 October.