MINUTES FROM 1998 MEETINGS
Fri. 23 January 1998
(Attendance: Laura B, Marc M., Ben F, Mike M, Justin H, Eric D, Michela B, Tara McD., Chris F.)
The next meeting is tentatively set for the last Friday of Feb. but a poll is currently being conducted to see if that's good for everyone. Please reply with what's good for you.
VAN
MONTHLY MEETINGS
An "emergency" meeting was called to discuss what FNB should do to counter police presence at the 2/1 feed.
David Adams gave senario: Police came to put the squeeze on us.
He asked us for our health cards. We told him to give us 30
minutes to feed and then will we leave. They came back at 6 p.m.
and we were still feeding so they started taking names and
addresses and said they were going to drop health violation
citations in the mail. We were able to continue the feed but the
police promise they would be back.
Hilary said that one police was blocking the table for a while.
David reported that a week prior to that a representative from
the Downtown Business Association talked to him, stating his
disapproval of FNB in Pioneer Square.
Laura reported that she was told by the Health Dept. that the
initiative did not come from their part.
Proposal: Does Food Not Bombs want to stay in Pioneer Square?
Result: 9 said YES 1 ABSTAINED
David wants to serve the homeless, not battle it out with the
police.
Michela stressed the importance of democratic decision making.
The group voted to return next week but tabled future decision
making until we talk to the group as a whole. We will inform
volunteers who come on sundays about what happened and about the
possibility of facing again the police and see what their
positions are, while a more formal meeting and decision making
will be necessary in case of more serious harassment.
Question: What's the plan of attack for next week? If the police
come who's willing (worst-case scenario) to be arrested and who
can provide jail support?
Result: Orange, Kris, Justin, Chris F, Eric D & Hilary are
willing to be arrested.
Ben S. will take badge names and numbers
Ben F. will video tape
Michela, Bari and Laura can provide jail support.
Justin suggested that we pick up extra containers in the event that the police confiscate our buckets. Laura said she would pick up more from the source Justin knows of and possibly from John Reese.
We need to identify media attention, in case something happens. If we have our act together we should be able to turn over the video shot that night to local news broadcast and have it air at 11 p.m.
Michela brought up a point of the importance of training new comers on how to organize a feed. We need to draft up locations of pickup and storage locations. Michela volunteered to do this.
Laura B spent a lot of time on the phone that day and made a couple of good contacts with politicians, profiteers and some progressives.
Talked to Lisa Herbolt of City Councilman Nick Licata office, she
scheduled a meeting with
Licata of 2/26 on 1 p.m. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO ATTEND THIS
MEETING! WE
ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE THEM WILL A WRITTEN REQUEST AND
RESOLUTION
BEFORE THE MEETING. Licata chairs the parks committee and may
give us permission to serve there.
Talked to City Councilman Peter Steinbreck (sp). He chairs the Human Services committee and can possible sit in on the 2/26 meeting with Licata. Steinbreck said."It's my personal belief that you do not need a permit." We'll see.
Talked to Ginger Seigel of the Low Income Housing Institute. SHE WAS VERY COOL! She heard we were having police harrassment problems and had her assistant call 40+ people to inform them they might like to show up at this Sunday's feed. LauraB wanted to do a phone bank using John Reese's and John Fox's phone list but the group decided to wait and use their support we things got more serious.
I spoke to Dmitri Iglitzen, who's a radical lawyer, and he's happy to help us if need be. I'll give his number to whoever's doing support.
His thoughts were: accept tickets issued by police, and then
contest them in court. He says the DA's office here is stubborn
about direct action stuff, and often press the point, but never
win. He saw an arrest scenario as unlikely, as I do, but possible
if people continue serving after being ticketed. We can discuss
this tomorrow if anyone wants to.
Hilary
Mikayla,
Although Washington State Laws include a Good Samaritan Food
Donation Act to encourage the kind of work "Food Not Bombs" does,
the Seattle Municipal code has a lot of regulations regarding
"food services" which include services that give food away for
free. The health department does have discretion to reject the
licenses for which your organization has applied. Most likely
for procedural reasons -- they want you to be able to document
just how you prepare the food, when you serve it, how you serve
it, how you wash your hands, etc, etc. Plus they need the names
and addresses of everyone in the group.
I say, keep trying to get the permit though. It is a $25 fee to
get the permit once approved. Without the permit, it is a
violation of the city code to serve the food. Under section
10.10.652 (E) of the municipal code, there is a civil penalty of
$25 every day that you are in operation without a permit.
Because it is a civil penalty, this means that there should be no
immigration consequences. But it will mean a $25 fee if you are
cited (this fee would be per person, not per group).
The other warning I would have is that they are constantly
changing the immigration laws, and the changes are in a direction
in extreme disfavor of noncitizens. If one day they were to make
civil infractions a deportable offense (you just never know!),
then they could also make it retroactive. Best of luck, let me
know
if you need anything further.
Daphne
FOOD PANTRY:
Marcia discussed current situation at Yesler Terrace, hopes to
make it a weekly event. This will require a very short time
commitment as compared to Sunday feeds & prob'ly only the use of
one car. Also, Marcia doesn't like the name "Food Pantry"
because it sounds too much like that convenience store chain.
SECOND FEED:
Orange discussed possibility of adding a 2nd feed to the
schedule, pointed out that there is often a lot of surplus
volunteers. We had a discussion about the necessary structure to
make a commitment to a 2nd feed. No decision reached, altho if
all the elements (food supply, transportation, cooking facility &
committed volunteers were in place this would be welcomed by all)
VAN FOLLOW-UP:
This was discussed at the last "regular "meeting in January. At
that time, Justin & Ben F were volunteering to look into this
(searching, test driving, whathaveyou). They were to get back to
the regular group with some sorta findings approx. 2 weeks ago.
Chris F volunteered to do a follow-up on the status quo of the
van
SANDWICHES
as part of the whole transpo organizing, MLou will be unable to
collect the sandwiches 4 weeks in a row & we DEFINITELY need
someone else to volunteer to do this (dates to be covered: 3/20
thru 4/10 inclusive).
CONTACT NUMBERS
Hilary will volunteer to open up a box on her voicemail for FNB;
this will have an outgoing message with the basic cooking &
feeding info, plus phone numbers of a few specific people to
contact. This number is 522-1367.
MEETINGS
More discussion about monthly meetings vs. weekly meetings;
Sunday meetings (during the cooking) vs. other time meetings.
Arguments against Sunday meetings were that they were unfair to
those who don't come to cook but come to feed, or to those who
come to cook AND ARE STILL COOKING OR CLEANING. Arguments for
Sunday meetings were that they were more fair because more people
are around. Discussion about how some people just plain don't
like meeting, but do want to participate in FNB. Sorta resolved:
to have non-Sunday meetings, but also to do a phone survey &
check in with people on meeting times. DECIDED: to try to not
have meetings on last Friday of the month if possible as that
interferes with Critical Mass
$$$$
We seem to have FNB funds in about 4 different places right now.
ChrisF has some; Hilary has some; Marcia has some & the rumor is
that Justin was able to cash the grant check & has that. We
discussed "centralizing" our cash; ChrisF volunteered to do so
(has been sorta unofficially since last summer)
WEBSITE & EMAIL
Once again, ChrisF announced the existence of the website
(http://www.scn.org/activism/foodnotbombs) & an email account
(fnb@scn.org). She also solicited any news items or whatever for
the website
PHONE SURVEY
Orange, Marcia & ChrisF will do a phone survey of the people on
the phone list to ask/inform about a)if they're still interested
in FNB; b) Food Pantry; c) food & sandwich Pickups; d) survey for
meeting times
TASK LIST
Discussion of dish-washing problem. Michela can't always do it
by herself every week. Dishwashing should be part of feeding.
Discussion about drawing up task list.
(Attendance: Orange, Justin, Michela, Chris S., Kim, Eric, Dave A., Chris F., Marisa, Dan, Red)
DRIVING
This next Sunday: Dave A. & Hilary
Discussion about the van; projected costs include $1000 for
purchase, $70-80 for registration & $300+ for insurance. A van
is available from someone who has volunteered with FNB before,
likes us, wants to get rid of a vehicle & hopes to make the 2
elements meet. We are unsure about the insurance situation &
under whose name we could register the van so as to get the best
deal, insurance-wise. Michela is resigning as of NOW from
organizing the driving! Her life is too hectic to continue this;
Justin suggested that the reposonsiblity for arranging the
driving devolve month to month on different people: Orange will
organize for April & he will organize for May.
EXTRA PRODUCE
Eric talked about a 2nd pickup available in Greenwood.
FREE TIBET
Sat. 4/4, @ 1pm there will be a rally to this prupose in Westlkae
Center & Orange & whoever else will serve at it.
MAY 1ST RALLY
This is a Friday & in Olympia there will be a rally to protest
the old RCW anti-anarchist group law. Hopefully, we will be
doing some food thing in conjunction with Oly FNB.
VOICEMAIL
There has been some confusion with using Hilary's number. Justin
will be obtaining a separate voicemail number for FNB in the next
few weeks from a private company.
SECOND FEED
A continuation of the discussion from the previous meeting.
FOOD PANTRY
Justin & Eric both suggested options for venues. Chris F.
suggested that they call Marcia about it.
WHICH RALLIES & DEMOS DO WE SERVE AT & WHY Chris F. suggested that since there has been some confusion and/or discord about which events & groups we serve food with/for, that maybe we should try to resolve on a list of general principles or guidelines for serving. A listless discussion followed & we decided to not serve meals at White Power rallies or to rob banks while carrying the FNB banner.
JUNGLE SWEEP
Chris F. announced the ominous city sweep of the homeless jungle
in West
Beacon Hill & that we (at least Justin & Chris F.) had been
talking to
John Fox of Seattle Displacement Coalition about this. John Fox
wanted to
know if we were interested in working in coalition with SDP &
other groups
to oppose the city's sweep & demand that alternatives be put in
place.
Chris F., Justin, Orange & Marisa were all interested in working
on this.
DAN'S FUNDRAISER
Dan announced a music fundraiser to be held Friday 8pm @ Black
Cat, $5 cover. Justin suggested that we possibly table at this?
Friday, May 8 1998
(Attended: Justin, Mary Lou, Michela, Chris F, Dan, Eric)
ANNOUNCEMENT
Justin announced that Keith McHenry & a representative(?) from
the EZLN will be in Seattle July 26th on a speaking tour in
connection with the Chiapas Food Drive. Keith left Justin a
message asking us to organize some sort of event. We looked at
our calendars, realized the date was a Sunday & will try to
organize a public speaking event coordinated with the regular
Sunday feed, hopefully in coalition with local groups. Justin
will return Keith's call & get more info.
VAN
We now own the van; Justin paid Eddie last week. The van was
signed over in Chris F's name, but hasn't yet been reigsterd.
Justin is contacting insurance co.s for estimates. We decided to
obtain a trip permit for the next feed, and to pass emissions.
Justin suggests that we share the use of the van with another
group in exchange for sharing maintenance & insaurance costs; he
is currently trying to arrange something with Left Bank books.
We agreed to use the $65 donation being returned by Hilary & the
$200 donation from the Black Cat for registration & initial
insurance costs.
(Attended: Chris F, Mary Lou, Dave A, Eric)
VAN UPDATE
So, the van is registered. Thanks to Mary Lou's unceasing
efforts it eventually passed the emissions test. It is still
uninsured; Chris F is having her former insurance agent shop
around for a quote. It has a continuing electrical problem,
i.e., it needs to be jumpstarted & will only hold a charge for a
day. On Saturday, Chris & a friend will look at it & try to rule
out some problems or possibly fix! it. [UPDATE: Chris & her
friend Dawn worked over the beast, will little results. Dawn
will try to replace the battery cables & have the battery fully
charged & tested. If all that's OK, this will eliminate the
electrical problem. Meanwhile, there also seems to be some oil
leak from the engine; hopefully this is not a blown valve. Time
will tell.]
FINANCIAL REPORT
At the beginning of this month we had zero money; we subsequently
received a $200 donation from the Black Cat & another $65
donation, making a total of $265. $57 has been spent on getting
the van to pass emissions & $100 on registration; this leaves a
current total of $108, which won't be enough to pay insuarance
costs. We resolved to try to do more tabling over the summer;
Mary Lou talked about tabling at the U-District Farmer's Market
(already OK'd) & at the Fremont Fair (she'll look into it), and
possibly at the Peace Concerts. We'll need a card table.
STICKERS & STUFF
Eric suggested doing a bulk order of FNB merchandise with the
Portland group; he's agreeing to front the money so we all agreed
to this.
FOOD PANTRY
Chris reported a phone message from Marcia; apparently the people
at Yesler Terrace are really interested in resuming the food
pantry idea, possibly in July.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mary Lou announced that the Black Cat called her to offer FNB a
freezer; we don't have anyplace for it so we declined. Chris
announced that a resutarant supply place in Sacramento was
offering FNB chapters 20gal. aluminum cookpots for $80; we don't
have this much $$ so we aren't pursuing it. Chris also passed
arround the invitation for the Western Regional FNB gatherinf in
San Francisco, July 10-12; shall we send someone from Seattle?
The City Council is having a hearing on the Parks Exclusion Law
this coming Tuesday, 6/16 at 6:30pm (City Council chambers, 600
4th Ave 11th flr.) & the Seattle Displacement Coalition is
inviting people to participate in it. For more info, call 632-
0668.
NEXT MEETING
will be Friday, July 3rd, 7pm at the U Baptist Church.
7 August 1998
(attended: Chris F, Mary Lou, Mike, Dean, Diane, Michela, Ryan,
Marisa, Pete, Amethyst, Eric, Luis)
CONSENSUS SKILLS RECAP
Chris & Michela presented a recap of the mid-July consensus
skills picnic: its motivating idea was to create a stronger group
based on stronger individuals, who are all well-skilled in
consensus & communication skills. We used a manual which
outlines reaching consensus in meetings (2 members are making nocost
copies of this for everyone). We discussed the SF FNB
method of redefining FNB's basic principles at the start of each
meeting: nonviolence, vegetarianism, consensus & food recycling
and whether this sort of procedure would be appropriate for us.
We also decided to have stronger welcoming or orientation for new
members as they show up.
VAN
Dean thinks that it needs a real charge from AAA; Diane has a
good mechanic. Chris is leaving town 8/11-8/30: as the van is
registered in her name it may not be possible to get it insured
in her absence.
Decided: Dean & Diane will coordinate to try to get the van
running. Dean will also look into getting the van insured &
Chris will leave her notes from calling agents etc. with Mary
Lou.
$$ REPORT
As of 6/29 we had $108; we then added $12 from tabling efforts &
then spent $50 on a new starter, leaving $70, PLUS a personal
donation (MB) already allocated to the van insurance & mechanical
needs.
STRIKE SUPPORT
Mike suggested that FNB in the future might provide strike
support to workers on picket lines.
NEW MEETING TIMES
We are changing the meeting times from the 1st Friday of the
month to the 2nd Monday. Our next meeting will be Mon, Sept. 14
7pm. Eric will look into securing the UB church for the meeting.
SANDWICHES
Mary Lou can no longer afford her car insurance & will be letting
it lapse. This immediately impacts on the sandwich pickups,
which can be done by Marisa.
NON-PROFIT STATUS
Diane raised the question of whether we have non-profit status.
We had used the national (SF) tax ID number; previously but Chris
thought this didn't exactly mean the same thing.
Decided: Chris will investigate this while in SF & Diane will
bring info on becoming a non-profit to present at the next
meeting.
CHIAPAS NON-EVENT
Chris wanted to bring up a small discussion of the July 26th
event that didn't happen, mostly to raise questions like when is
it too late to cancel an event? What number of FNB volunteers
create enough of a critical mass to call an event a FNB event?
Michela mentioned that the Chiapas food drive is still continuing
& asked the group if we still wish to participate?
No decisions were reached.
BENEFIT
Ryan will be organizing a benefit show for FNB & also for Left
Bank; he estimates that it will happen in Nov. or Dec.
Logistically, it's hard to find a space for all-ages shows. Ryan
asked the group if an event had to be in Seattle, and if we would
like to suggest any bands? Mary Lou suggested the Ballard
OddFellows' hall for a space.
Decisions: to continue this discussion with a fuller presentation
at the next meeting.
DO WE MOVE?
Ryan asked the group about the situation in Occidental Park:
whether the park was going to be sold to a private investor
requiring us to move or what? Chris reported that Dave A. is
very interested in this situation & has been discussing the
potential move with meal-providers in the U-District & Capitol
Hill. Mike volunteered to contact Nick Licata for more
information about whether the park is going to be sold.
FOOD PANTRY
Eric passed on the info that Marcia needs a driver for the pantry
at the end of the month.
ADVERTISING
Ryan announced that he will place a blurb about FNB on an allages
music infoline.
Present: Dean, Chris S, Chris F, Eric D, Ryan, Pete, Amethyst, Marisa Notetaker for the meeting: Eric Dee
*Essential Bakery* has moved to 1604 N 34th St in Fremont
*Non-profit Status*, Chris S and Diane are willing to research non-profit status for Seattle FNB
*Homeless teen group*, advocated by Chris S
*Financial 'Report'* $70+- cash being held by Chris F, $500 donation for transportation (van repair, insurance, etc)
*Van!* Dean will be bring it to a professional mechanic within the week.
*Coordinating* Marissa willing to do it that week
*Fundraising* Committee formed to handle tabling and fundraising
*Hygiene* Wash your hands! :)
*Zine* Ryan brought up possibility of a zine that would be an intro to FNB philosophy, pertinent info, etc
*Makah Whale Hunt* Allison from the Sea Defense Alliance stopped by to request buckets. The Sea Defense Alliance is a direct action enviro and animal rights group that is protesting the Makah whale hunt.
(attended: Eric D, Dave A, Michela, Ben H, John, Diane, Marcia, Mary Lou, Eric
W, Dan, Dean, Chris
F)
notetaker: Chris F
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Health teacher @ Hamilton Middle School contacted Marcia (& subsequently Chris
F) about having
FNB speakers in to talk to the classes. Chris F will be doing this on Monday
10/19; will anyone else
be interested? Dan may be available too.
SPEAKING ORDER
Eric D suggested that the meeting proceed by having people raise their hands &
be recognized by the
facilitator in order to make comments. He suggested this as an attempt to keep
things moving (we
had a full agenda) & to minimize the amount of "chat". DECIDED: to experiment
with this for this
meeting
SEATTLE PEACE HEATHENS
Vivian McPeek called Marcia about the 5th ed. (going to print soon); he needed to
check our info, etc.
Chris F (who has been maintaining the online info for the Crisis Directory) will
get back to him.
[SIDE ISSUE: is the voicemail # going to be unfunded soon? Some questions
about this? Marcia &
Michela thought they had read email from Justin about this. Chris F will check]
FOOD PANTRY
Marcia reports that she & small group of volunteers are getting lots of food from
the Big Apple &
another place to bring to Yesler Terrace. The time commitment at Yesler T. is
usually 11:00 to 11:30
or 12. Also some clothes. Dave A. proposed that extra clothes donations from
the
Sunday feeds be
brought to the Yesler Terrace food giveaway. Marcia will be writing an item
about the Saturday deal
for the website soon.
ENGLISH CLASSES @ YESLER TERRACE
Marcia also reports that she has had some requests from people there about
either
being directed
towards or setting up some sort of English classes. People are looking for basic
"Survival English for
Little Men & Women" (in their words). Mary Lou recommended Casa Latina for
Spanish-speakers
& John suggested the "Talk Time" @ the church behind SCCC.
VAN
Dean reported that the carb has been rebuilt & it runs fine, EXCEPT! that it now
doesn't start. The
mechanic told him that the battery was dead & he is going to install a new one
"soon". The van also
overheats, but Dean is hoping this isn't amajor problem (something about the
thermostat...) Insurance
(cheap) is in place & ready to be activated for 6 months, as soon as the van is
really GOING.
SANDWICHES
Mary Lou can no longer get the sandwiches with her vehicle as it is no longer
running; she is willing
to get them with the van if accessible & they can continue to be stored in her
spare fridge (with
enough notice). Also, a stop at her house to retrieve them every Sunday
afternoon
should be part of
the scheduled food pickups. The best time to get them is between 4-4:30 & it's
also best to introduce
'self to Essential staff at the time. [DECIDED: Dave A, Dean & Diane will get
them on a rotating
basis...Dave A will get them this coming Friday.]
WATERPROOFS
Ben H proposed that FNB get ahold of lots of sou'westers (rain ponchos, to you
Yanks) to hand out to
people at the feed on a as-needed basis. Eric proposed setting up a tarp to
extend
the feeding area.
[DECIDED: Ben will call around & post flyers at the U looking for spare ponchos
etc.]
EQUIPMENT
Dave proposed that someone should check into the status of equipment & supplies
before the Sunday
feed, esp. #s of cups, spoon, forks & napkins. He asked if anyone in the room had
a Costco card? &
if they couldn't arrange to get some of these supplies at a cheaper rate (Eric W.
might be able to order
things through work; Chris S' parents might be getting us stuff; Dan's parents
might have one; Dean
might have one.) Dean proposed that each of us grab not one but 10 plastic
spoons anytime we are
somewhere that they are available.
COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Chris F proposed forming a coordinating committee to organize not just pickups &
drivers, but also
a minumum # of people at the cooking & serving, plus inventory-izing.
[DECIDED: Coordinating committee formed, members now are: Chris F, Eric D,
Dean, Dave A &
Michela.]
$$$ REPORT
Chris F reported that we have $11, plus $3 from yesterday (donation) + $50 at
Dean's house + $5-6
from fundraising. This makes $69-70 in disposable (or soon to be disposed) FNB
funds.
TABLING & FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
The committee reported that they tabled at the "Subhumans" show. (The banner
that disappeared
from this show has since been returned.) Dan suggested doing a FNB benefit; he
was referred to Ryan
who was plaanning something for January. Eric W thought this committee looked
like so much fun
that he joined it.
FLYERS @ GREEN TORTOISE
Dave suggested that we post flyers at the Green Tortiose asking people around
there for help with
unloading & cooking, etc. Ben said he would deal with this by asking the front
desk to include us in
their list of "Things To Do" (Looky Mom! We're a tourist attraction!)
NON-PROFIT STATUS
Diane asked about the update on a # of questions. Chris F reported that SF FNB
does NOT have
nonprofit status, but instead funnels really large donation thru an umbrella
organization & that Chris
S is also looking into this, as in forming an umbrella ("Friends & Lovers of FNB")
to do the same for
us. Marcia said that we have been using a nonprofit # from Keith McHenry.
Diane asked do we want
to become a non-profit? Dean suggested tabling this discussion until we have
more info. Dave
suggested setting aside a separate meeting to discuss this; he asked Diane if she
would be willing to
do a presentation on this & she agreed.
[DECIDED: to table this discussion pending more research; Diane & Chris S need
to pool information;
Marcia will contact Keith McH about his tax I.D.#]
"CHRIS" PROPOSAL
Chris F proposed that everyone in FNB change their names to Chris as it would
make things much
simpler for her & Chris S & also allow us to have a bigger gang. Dean proposed
that no one else in
FNB change his or her name to "Dean".
[DECIDED: We did not reach consensus on this issue.]
COMMITTEE REPORTS
*FUNDRAISING/TABLING
little activity...need more supplies (buttons, etc.) Marcia & David A are both
willing to contribute $100 each to purchase buttons, T-shirts, stickers.
DECIDED: Marcia & Chris F will both try to contact Keith M. re the costs &
getting more stuff; Eric W will look into getting more patches printed up
*COORDINATING:
Van is not running yet so we need to continue to coordinate drivers as well.
Marisa can also pick up sandwiches on a rotating basis.
A quick sign-up ensued:
11/15: Eric W & David A will be present for both shifts; Michela & Dan committed
to cooking. 11/22: Dean committed to Driving, Cooking & Feeding
*SATURDAY PROJECT (a.k.a. "Food Pantry")
Everything's going well; there is a reliable core of people involved; lots & lots of
food is available & some clothes. Marcia put out a call for 1: plastic bags & 2:
donations of clothes, etc. Also she wants to name (re-name) the project &
announced a naming contest. (Some entries: "Produce to the People, Right On!";
"Free Food & Stuff"; "Food & Occasionally Other Stuff for All")
PLASTIC BAGS
David A asked that people PLEASE bring plastic bags to the Sunday feeds; Marcia
asked for some too (especially the produce bags)
NON-PROFIT STATUS
Diane reported that Chris S is still on vacation, which has precluded them getting
together & confabbing, however she gave a report on the procedure &
responsibilities of achieving non-profit status. Some highlights:
*$30 application fee
*we would need bylaws & articles of incorporation
*we would need a person 18 or older to be the Registered Officer & a "registered
office"
*we would need a Board of Directors
*we could use another group's charter as our template for writing up all this
stuff
David asked if "officers" would be legally responsible for the actions of the group
(YES!). Advantages: non-profits can own property & acquire property; they can
also participate in national war efforts. Chris F suggested that we still try to
umbrella under another organization such as Real Change HEP.
DECIDED: David A would look into the possibility of getting umbrella-ed under
RC's nonprofit status.
BREAD IS NOT ENOUGH RALLY
Thanksgiving Day will be the 3rd annual "Bread is not Enough" rally organized by
Real Change, Streetwrite, WHEEL, etc. & taking place in Occidental Park at noon.
Chris F suggested that we participate.
DECIDED: David A will look into getting sandwiches on Wed. for the event, as
well as bread; Dean will look into getting produce & checking into cooking an extra
meal at the hostel. Chris F, Dean & Michela will work on this.
SUGAR & OTHER ADDITIVES
Chris F reported 2ndhand for an absent member that there was some concern
about there being sugar (or salt) in the food & it not being identified to our
diners, some of whom have hypertension or diabetes.
DECIDED: to try to use sugars & salt only minimally while cooking & to tell people
about sugar in cooked items.
VAN
It's still not starting; why? we are non-plussed but guess it to be a short in the
system. Michela wants to exchange it for a horse & buggy. David is worried that
as it's unlocked our equipment might get stolen. Marcia asked if it was checked
out pre-purchase? David A suggested that interested people form a "Van"
committee.
DECIDED: Dean will look into the locking problem (& promised to replace any
stolen items if needed). David A will talk to a new volunteer with mechanical
experience & Jackie will talk to a friend about possibly taking a look at it.
AUS ROTTEN BENEFIT
Eric D's friend is organizing this band's tour; they will be here at the end of the
year & want to play a benefit for us. This would mean that we could table & reap
the proceeds after paying for the space, etc.
DECIDED: Yay!!! This said, it behooves us to lay in some tabling supplies prontolike.