Occupy Guelph Minutes – October 18th 2011 6pm
Agenda
1) Child Poverty in Guelph
2) Media
3) Special Diets and Liz Sandals
4) Info Sessions
5) Occupy Guelph Website
6) Workshop Updates
7) Finances
8) Medical and Hygiene Kit
1) Child Poverty in Guelph – The fact that there is child poverty in Guelph was addressed at the meeting. It was suggested that a breakfast program could be set up for kids either at their schools or at St. George`s square. Julian has information on who we could talk to, to set that up if anyone is interested.
2) Media – Individuals brought up the fact that we are receiving scrutiny because of the general perception that Canadians do not have the same issues as Americans. Also, the Mercury is doing a bad job at legitimizing the occupation so we need to be careful with how we word things and the things that we say
-the fact book on Canadian and Guelph issues needs to be updated and distributed. Information is currently not being put out strong enough
-We need to explain why we are taking donations in order to gain credibility
-Matt offered to help out with flyers outlining issues in Guelph and Canada that have caused need for an occupation
-There was a meeting for people interested in helping out with media after the meeting at city hall and there will also be a meeting tomorrow on Wednesday October 19th at 4pm for individuals who want to help out with media
3) Special Diets and Liz Sandals – Liz Sandals is opposed to the Special Diets Allowance program and is against the push to increase Welfare ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program). Because of this it has been proposed and agreed upon that individuals walk to Liz`s office on Thursday at 1pm in opposition to her decisions
4) Information Sessions – Deferred to media
5) Website – a website has been made in addition to the facebook group and can be found at www.occupyguelph.blogspot.com
-this website is free for anyone to post things related to the occupation ie. pictures, ideas, thoughts..etc
-the minutes will be posted on this website as well as the facebook group
-The address of the website should be included in flyers drafted
-It was agreed upon that oppressive language will not be tolerated on the website
6) Workshop Updates – A workshop is in the making in respects to the Meridian Credit Union and the history of credit unions. Other unions have also been approached ie. the auto union
· There was some discussion about approaching Ralph from the steel workers union
-Discussion on organizing a workshop or panel discussion in respects to water rights. This would include individuals from 6 nations and perhaps a professor from the university
-There will be a workshop on Thursday October 20th on Prisons and Prisoners (the exact time is TBA), a workshop Thursday evening on safe drug use (exact time is TBA),
-There will also be a workshop on Friday October 21st giving information on Ontario Works (OW) the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) (time TBA).
-Saturday October 21st will be family day so we are calling on people to bring face paint, have mascots… ideas for other kids stuff
-There has been a suggestion that we get a whiteboard or some kind of device to put up proposed workshops so we can keep track in a more tangible format. Something that individuals can see as they`re walking by
7) Finances – We are approaching OPIRG for funds and are filling out a CDR application for the maximum amount of funds that we can get
-It has been suggested that we use some of the money to help homeless individuals into homes however this has yet to be decided
8) Medical and Hygiene Kits – Annette is going to provide a medical kit
-Sarah is going to cover the hygiene kit
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