Faciliator, Mike
Minutes, Tom
Last week’s minutes were read and approved, with an agreement that care should be taken to register dissent, agreeable discussion and consensus by compromise. This is to be done to register profitable discussion rather than to name names.
Further enthusiasm was expressed for group visiting of ethical retailers to support by shopping, with the recognition that work needs to be done to identify such retailers.
Kim Campbell identified as speaker as Mayday demo.
Finance
Update from Bob. Paypal is functioning but other options being explored. Good potential in Bitcoin but with reservations about size and reliability; slightly more positive of Lex (?). The means available for gaining donations was explored with the possibility of a donation link on Facebook with logistic difficulties identified. Possible banking options were discussed, including a credit union but possibilities left broadly open.
Ceilidh
Mike has produced tickets with 90 at St Bride’s and 90 distributed among those present to be sold at formerly agreed prices, taking care to record details on the stubs to ensure transparent accounting. Agreed to have a raffle on the evening, which raises the task of gaining prizes to be offered, whether from individuals, sympathetic businesses.
Building
Frustration was expressed at the current state of development in the use of the proposed site, partly due to problems of communication and partly due to divisions within the provider beyond our control. Two proposals were accepted. The first was for Pat to contact Josh to assist with spreading the work load and, as far as possible, to take it forward. Alan and Ross to pursue other possibilities.
Parliamentary Motion
While the motion currently under consideration is in danger of running out of time it was made clear that this can be taken up again with the possibility of getting a sympathetic MSP to act as promoter.
Outreach
An event proposed from 12 on Saturday April 7th in St Andrew’s Square with a stall and a mini-marquee. The latter will be used to publicise events such as the ceilidh and ‘Just Banking’ with topics for leafleting and discussion identified as RBS and access to politicians through funding and lobbying, with Patrick, Ross and Alan to pursue Friends of Earth leaflets for the first topic. Possibilities for music and entertainment discussed. Tent monsters and merchandise thought to be best addressed post-funding exercise.
Melting Pot
Patrick, Marie and Tom reported back from the Melting Pot discussion of Occupy. Some diffidence and misgivings were reported from some of the people from the Melting Pot of colleagues within the office, mostly shown through an unwillingness to contribute to a whip round. Those who were present were generally on board about the movement as a whole, very amenable and open discussion with occasional differences of emphasis rather than substance. Useful contacts were passed on.
Student Newspaper
Concern was expressed about a forthcoming article in The Student, about its sources, its intention and possibly its protagonists. No comment has been delivered so far and relations seem to be relatively amiable through contacts. Proposed that Tom will investigate and, if appropriate upon publication, offer a response as a voice for Occupy Edinburgh.
AOB
Proposed that weekly email goes out on Sunday, entitled ‘Occupy Email on Sunday.’ To be included this week publicity for the event on 7th April, stressing the need for people to turn out, the need for prizes for the raffle at the Ceilidh, and the availability of the paypal acocunt. Iain and Marie to pass it on to Chris with names to be added to the distribution.
Next GA (and all GAs until further notice) at the Tron, Hunter Square, 6pm to 8pm.
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