[mgj-announce] notes from last week's MGJ meeting at Cafe Midi

[Amy Kremen]

Here are the notes, long overdue, from last week's
meeting.

Agenda:  
--->Discussion of Race to the Bottom
--->Fall Action Planning

Debrief on the race:
Pros:
Getting into the community rocked.
The event showed potential for the future.
The creativity of the action was high.
Great video posted on dy.indymedia.org.
Laying groundwork for working together with other
groups; need to build energy on that for fall.
In coalition work, we have to recognize that other
groups don't organize the way we do; MGJ handled this
well for this event.
NCJIS talks at the Race were really moving.

Cons: 
Low turnout.  MGJ has a history of low turnout at
weekday events.  Need to keep in mind how we do with
turnout when planning events.
The press conference was weak.
The anthrax "threat".
The creativity of the action may have made it harder
to follow through on the message loud and clear. 
tighter messaging needed?
How effective was having street traffic go by?
Did the race need a commentator?
Might want to draw the race out.  The actual race
happened too quick.
Need to tap into more people, put the buzz out better
that there's something going on.
Need more strategy on how to handle the registration
table, in spite of police/other disruptions.

----> Planning for Fall Action
What dates should the action focus on?  The meetings
are 10/28-11/2.  10/25 Immigrant Rights Amnesty march
is a good event to kick off a week of protest.  Need
to come up with a draft for a call to action and get
it approved by the big MGJ group.

Lots of talk about how to mobilize participation by
lots of people and NGOs  (non-governmental
organizations).  A signup sheet went around to list
orgs we need to contact.  Need to put the word out
strong to groups asking that they come to the first
big planning meeting and put in their ideas for what
they want the action to include.  

The first big planning meeting needs to be high
energy.  Want big turnout.  Need facilitators who can
keep things moving and clear.  At the meeting we'll
divide into working groups; there will be a lot
discussion and planning about outreach, and how to get
the outreach process going.  Also want to reach out to
groups not in the area.

How to keep the meeting lively: suggestions that we
find a speaker.  One suggested topic: why do we do
this work?  Another suggestion:  History of civil
disobedience/direct action.  Need to remembe that part
of the deal of being a consensus group is that things
take time; this can be used as a strength.

Talk about the Social Forum and how MGJ will work
alongside it to advance everyone's objectives.  More
discussion on this at future meetings.

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