Southern Maine Action Network

Congrats to SUMAC for being awarded a $1000 grant from Pine Tree Youth Organizing for the different projects taking place:

Food Not Bombs

Mobile Front

Print Shop Project

Freeskool

Bike Cart

To learn more about all the activities that have been going on this Spring with SUMAC read SUMAC Rising: http://southernmaineactionnetwork.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/sumac-rising/

SUMAC Council Meeting

You are invited to an upcoming SUMAC Council, April 6 to help figure out what to do with the grant money, what projects to focus on, and how to make our work sustainable. Time, place, and more information visit:  http://southernmaineactionnetwork.wordpress.com/

 January 30^th, 2013 

 6pm at First Parish Portland

 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101

http://firstparishportland.org/

Attendance: 

Heidi V, Ron P, Brian L, William H (note taker), Kara O, Alan P (fascilitator), Grace B, Dawn E Y, Eden Y, Rachel L, Bob K, John B, Tim R, Robin F, Peggy A.

Minutes: 

Announcements and Check Backs:

6:30

Dawn Y announced the check back about the preble street dental clinic that Bruce brought up and found out that the disabled and homeless use this acorss the state. Many organizations through Dawn's work thought it was a rumor, and there was serious concern regarding the closing of this clinic. Alan asked what action we could organize around this issue.

Kara reports back on the Occupy New England Regional Gathering. Thank you card is on the table for the Sacred Heart Church for providing the space. Grace has been given flowers because she is awesome. People came from all over (many states were listed) to attend this ONE conference. Inter Occupy New England was announced as the hub that new england will be using to stay connected: http://interoccupy.net/onewengland/?doing_wp_cron=1359589330.3465590476989746093750

Kara announces 4^th Regional Gathering in New Hamsphire is set for April 26^{th :} https://www.facebook.com/events/527404473960365/?fref=ts

They are looking for people to teach classes to do teach ins at this gathering. Contact Kara if you are interested.

Rachel found $170 in the Occupy We Pay account. Grace confirmed the amount of money that was spent for the ONE gathering. Rachel said she would make a proposal later on to reimburse Grace for the amount of money that was not reimbrused.

Robin at the Changing Maine conference last Sunday, January 27^th. Sixty people showed up to Augusta to discuss the topic of Feminism. Rob from Vermont was there. Many were empowered and that this event was a learning process. Robin passed out updated postcards: https://www.facebook.com/events/227462327386887/?fref=ts

A Flash mob will be happening, you can learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/116912121819079/?fref=ts

Brian reports back about the Anti Tar Sands protest (https://www.facebook.com/events/404053283006936/?fref=ts) with great video and livestream footage. Brian expresses the current work to put this media together to create outreach videos to draw more people to this issue. Heidi had an idea to do a debrief meeting for the media team.

William announces the next Foreclosure Forum (https://www.facebook.com/events/472689422787602/?fref=ts). February 19^th at the State Street Church, 6:30-8:30pm.

William announces Sensory Circus that is happening at Meg Perry Center Feburary 1, 2013 at 5-8pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/105013226342759/?fref=ts

William announces the Street Artist Coalition meeting planning to gather on Saturday Feb 2 at Meg Perry 7pm in hopes to draft an alternate proposal to the city when the Street Artist Task Force is bringing up. Street Artist: Feb 12^th, 2013 is the city hall meeting: https://www.facebook.com/events/530168270341222/?fref=ts

protect portland's creative community: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-Portlands-Creative-Community/269162369784744?fref=ts

Grace announces the community land trust is this coming monday at the meg perry center. Jonah sent out 200 emails inviting people to have that discussion. 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

Robin F announces constallation in a theme about Occupy for first friday Learn more: http://constellationart.com/

Heidi's maine people's alliance February 12^{th. S}uggesting car rides.

Kara announce Feb 6^th National Defense Act has been fighting for the last year to get an amendment. Revelation Truth has more information. 2013 NDAA is going back to court at the Supreme Court.

Kara Tar Sands Rally in Washington DC on February 17th, Occupy General Assembly after the event may happen. Buses are going from different groups around the state.

Bob K energy series art walk this Friday at the Art Walk.

Alan March 13 green peace action camp happening in Las Angeles. Solar panels and green energy relief. Green Peace Action Camp: http://members.greenpeace.org/survey/start/531/?fb_action_ids=604442219581383&;fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%22604442219581383%22%3A238641089600011%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22604442219581383%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map

Alan will take bus to the Youth Activist Gathering somewhere in Maine on April 13,14,15

Dawn and Eden announces a report about Tar Sands that Eden would like to a class report. If anyone can provide information/media to Eden for his class it would be nice.

Proposals

Rachel proposes to pay grace $20 from Occupy fund to reimburse her for the ONE gathering. 15 twinkles, no down fingers. Proposal passes.

Robin proposes going for renting space for a worker owner cooperative and mentions all the groups that would be interested in this proposal. POP about this being an idea, not a proposal. Robin said she needs to do more work for a future proposal.

Heidi proposes a discussion about Bob K and the cooption between 350 and the tar sands protest. First we recognized the work of Bob and Rachel.

350 Discussion

Notes are closed for this discussion. 

  6pm at First Parish Portland

 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101

http://firstparishportland.org/

Attendance: 

Heidi V , Bruce M, Ron P, Brian L, William H, Kara O (fascilitator/note taker), Alan P, Evan M, Grace B, Dawn E Y,   

Minutes: 

Announcements and Check Backs:

6:10

First announcement was by Brian about ending the meeting at 6:45 so that everyone can go to City Hall next door for the pubic space hearing regarding No Tar Sands.

Dawn:  Report Back on the Rally fom earier in the day, Wednesday the 23rd at 12:00noon and as an action plan to protest ta sands at the portland pipeline (https://www.facebook.com/events/464144076977556/?fref=ts) . You can see photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.436697663070819.102210.348978431842743&  Local media was there to report incuding the independant media. The event was high energy and very positive. There was 20-30 people.

Heidi: The protest went to congress office to Chellie Pingree's office and taked with "Willy" for 1/2 hour. Luke (Nickie's gradeschool son) presented a letter to the congress individuals expressing his concerns. To earn more about this pease look for Bob Klotz' report on 350.org

Bruce: Reported on the closing of the local low income dentistry office at 63 Preble street as part of Paul LePage's massive funding cuts. The clinic lets disabled people get much needed help and there is a severe risk of the heath, and life expectancy of some of the clients who may not be able to get help.  We need to get press involved (send press releases) and get more people involved.  http://www.pressherald.com/news/a-letter-to-lepage-the-tigerhearted_2013-01-23.html

Kara:  Saturday ONE (occupy new engand) is panning to meet at 3pm-6pm at Sscred Heart Church, more info:  https://www.facebook.com/events/110181269153660/?fref=ts     . Current plans are for food and break out grounds for groups to meet by state, and then meet as an overall group.

Dawn: (continued from above) Other solidarity with tar sands protests by Bangor with a Banner Drop in TD bank. 30 + people at the state housein Augusta. Rockland on Friday. 

Alan:  Changing Maine Gathering: Feminist Values on Sunday the 27th. Viles (Pine Tree State) Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., Augusta 10 AM-4 PM      https://www.facebook.com/events/427978640607488/?fref=ts

William: A Child's View from Gaza on January 25th, 2013 6pm.  https://www.facebook.com/events/462518397130629/?fref=ts  Danny Muller will be speaking at 7pm. 

Brian: Saturday 26th of January at 11am (https://www.facebook.com/events/404053283006936/?fref=ts) a rally will start at monument square may be the biggest tar sands protest ever. The media coalition team is meeting at 10am before the protest at the Public Market House. All is invited to help with the media team by sending photos and videos to the occupy maine site, and a photo album has already been started. Media teams need more people who have access to live streaming.

Proposals:

Kara: Proposed to spend $30 from the occupy fund to spend on food for the 26th ONE event listed above. 6 twinkles, 0 blocks. Proposal passes. 

Grace: Announced that the Sacred Heart Church is going to be free of charge for Occupy this saturday and that we need people to help organize events and cook food for the gathering.

Brian: The meeting is called to end by Kara and Brian reminds the group about the City Hall and a group heads over. 

meeting ajurned 7:55

 6pm at First Parish Portland

 425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101

http://firstparishportland.org/

Attendance: 

Heidi V , Peggy A (stack keeper), Robin F (fascilitator), Ron P, Brian L (time keeper), William H (note taker), Rachel R, Jim L, Mike, Tim R, Alan P, Evan M, Crystal Zvonne (here for "Searching for Occupy"), Wilma (Crystal's puppy), Denise (filming),  

Minutes: 

Announcements and Check Backs:

6:10

Mike: Discussing his work with a national survelliance effort to make content public.  Anonymous and Occupiers are doing this project to protect people from being improperly being accused due to suspicion and privacy rights. Link: www.documentingdystopia.org  

William: Foreclosure Forum. Rachel wanted the email to do research. https://www.facebook.com/events/472689422787602/?ref=14

Alan: Discussing his work in New York with the Hurricane Sandy Relief. YANA (you are not alone). Neighbors are meeting neighbors. Money is being raised for community councils and community centers in the area. 

Heidi: www.350maine.org   is holding a rally/protest against the tar sands pipeline. Similar protests with radical tree sits are happening in the south. The Rally is on Wednesday the 23rd at 12:00noon and an undetermined action plan is going to take place (https://www.facebook.com/events/464144076977556/?fref=ts) including solidarity actions throughout New England. Saturday 26th of January at 11am (https://www.facebook.com/events/404053283006936/?fref=ts) a rally will start at monument square and building a wall of bricks to show a visual demonstration of our opposition to the tar sands.  Alan: update on the well attendance of this event from all over New England. And tied into the Occupy Regional Gathering later on that night. Jim:  7pm Wednesday Night on January 23rd Tar Sands which is one part of a enviornmental panel at City Hall and Dave Marshall had discussions about this. Rachel: Free school walk in south portland at 12noon on January 19th. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/322561741191032/?ref=14   2:30 Organizational meeting at the Rec Center in prep for Wednesday the 23rd actions. William: Organizaton about providing overnight housing for visitors from out of the city to attend the big event on the 26th. Contact William for finding space for people to stay in Portland. 

Alan: Changing Maine Gathering: Feminist Values on Sunday the 27th. Viles (Pine Tree State) Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., Augusta 10 AM-4 PM. 

Alan: United Citizens against Citizens United hearing on the Tuesday, 22nd in Augusta, 2013 at the state house. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/246396915491577/?ref=14

Rachel: $90 in the Occupy Portland Maine fund. She is suggesting a conversation about money. She proposes a brief discussion about money for tonight, "what are your ealiest experiences with money?"  

Heidi: Maine People Alliance lobby day.  February 12th, 2013. Jim: Homeless Voices for Justice on FEbruary the 13th, 2013 is meeting with Governor LePage. 

William: A Child's View from Gaza on January 25th, 2013 6pm.  https://www.facebook.com/events/462518397130629/?fref=ts

Rachel:  Transition Town.

William: Food Not Bombs planning meeting tomorrow (thursday Jan 16th) at 4:30pm at Local Sprouts.  

6:55 Proposals:   

Rachel: . Proposing to give $45 to Searching for Occupy for their filmmaking work. 13 twinkles, 0 blocks. Proposal passes. 

Rachel:  Asking to facilitate a discussion on money. 13 Twinkles, 0 blocks. Proposal passes. 

 7:05 Discussion about money with the entire group (off the record) 

7:45 William: Street Artist demonstration at City Hall on Tuesday, February 12th and a get together at 3pm Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 to discuss and organize a new proposal to the city with less strict and more flexible rules instead of the very limiting and forceful rules the city is currently proposing. Protect Portland's Creative Community: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-Portlands-Creative-Community/269162369784744?fref=ts. A Proposal to do performance art in front of city hall at 4pm before the 5pm city hall meeting. (the time of the meeting is unconfirmed)